Tremlett prepared to play the long game after surprising one-day snub
ENGLAND fast bowler Chris Tremlett admits he’s frustrated at not being part of England’s new-look one-day side but believes a period out of the firing line could spell bad news for upcoming Test opponents India.
Tremlett’s international career has hardly followed a conventional path, but his rise from forgotten man to essential cog in Andrew Strauss’ Test machine has been one of the genuinely uplifting stories in a tumultuous year for English cricket.
Recalled almost out of the blue after four years in the wilderness, the 29-year-old played a significant role in retaining the Ashes on Australian soil and followed that up by claiming the man-of-the-series award for his wicket-taking exploits in the recent win over Sri Lanka.
Despite his prowess with the red ball England, currently staring down the barrel of another heavy one-day series defeat, were unable to find room in their squad for their most prolific bowler of recent times.
Tremlett (right), himself, concedes he’s disappointed at not being given the opportunity to continue his recent golden run but accepts that rest and rehabilitation are essential in extending the career of the modern day fast bowler.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to get picked,” he told City PM. “I didn’t think I was a dead cert but thought I would have a good chance with the way I was bowling.
“At the same time they’ve told me that I’m being given a rest and they want me fresh for the India series. I am disappointed but in the long run it might turn out to be a good thing with rest of the summer in mind.
“If I’m honest my main focus is Test cricket at the moment but I don’t want to rule out the other forms of the game. I still feel I can play a part.”
With a four Test series again India, the world No1 ranked Test team, on the horizon Tremlett understands the logic behind England’s decision to allow him time to recoup ahead of the huge challenge that lies ahead.
He said: “It’s always hard if you’re bowling well and you’re rested. You have to remember how much cricket gets played though.
“It was pretty clear to see someone like Jimmy Anderson found it hard to play five Ashes Tests, three warm-up games followed by a World Cup.
“By then we were all so tired. We were getting beat but it wasn’t down to a lack of effort we were just all so exhausted. Guys just weren’t hitting their straps and it was down to the amount of cricket.
“You always want to play and do everything in an England shirt but over time cricket and bowling does take it out of you. It can be annoying to be put in this situation but I’ve got to take it on the chin and I have to look at it from a positive point of view.”
Chance to Shine ambassador Chris Tremlett was helping to promote the ‘play hard, play fair’ message of MCC Spirit of Cricket. ‘Chance to Shine supported by Brit Insurance’ has brought cricket to over 1 million state schoolchildren. The programme, which is backed by Marylebone Cricket Club, costs £5million, or £15 per child, to run each year. To make a donation visit www.chancetoshine.org