Chris Tremlett is back - Paul Newman World of Cricket
England’s seam bowling has rarely been stronger, with Jimmy Anderson leading an attack brimming with options and depth. But it is about to get even stronger. The big man is back.
When Chris Tremlett claimed the final wicket in Sydney that completed England’s 3-1 win in the last Ashes series he was at the very top of his game, finally fulfilling the potential that had been blighted by injuries and question marks over his temperament at the highest level.
Sadly, despite a man-of-the-match-winning display on his old home ground of the Rose Bowl last year against Sri Lanka, it was not to last. Tremlett, so often cursed by the fragility of his vast frame, had the most serious injury of the lot and needed a back operation. The man who had at last proved his worth was back on the sidelines.
Now, at a time of tragedy for Surrey following the death of Tom Maynard, Tremlett is providing a crumb of comfort by returning for his county in their Twenty20 team and hopes to step up his comeback over the coming weeks. He has, at 30, a lot of lost time to make up.
‘It’s been a case of so far so good,’ said Tremlett, still an imposing physical presence.
Key man: Tremlett took the final wicket of the 2010-11 Ashes series More from Paul Newman... Paul Newman: Worrying signs as Ashes fever cools north of the Trent 29/05/13 World of cricket: Surrey chief Thompson won't let tragedy hold up his ambitious plan 22/05/13 PAUL NEWMAN: England may have to get used to life without star batsman Pietersen 15/05/13 Paul Newman: Lions ready for next big Test as Kiwis await stars of the future 08/05/13 World of Cricket: Hales looks the part but can he turn it on against spin kings? 22/08/12 Paul Newman: Flawed KP not the only one at fault, but faces long road back 15/08/12 Paul Newman: No 1 priority for Strauss must be his own future 08/08/12 Paul Newman: Smash-hit Styris can't hide need for overhaul of county T20 game 25/07/12 Paul Newman: Let's enjoy Pietersen. We'll miss him when he's gone 18/07/12 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE‘Mentally it’s been quite hard to deal with but now I’m in a confident frame of mind. I’ve got a few games under my belt, my back is feeling better and I’m trying to enjoy every opportunity I have.’
It would be a welcome good-news story if Tremlett could force his way back into England contention, if not for this summer’s Test series against South Africa then for the winter.
He has all the attributes to be a world-beater, as David Saker quickly recognised when he first set eyes on him after becoming England bowling coach. ‘I want that bloke with us for the Ashes,’ Saker told England coach Andy Flower. The rest is history, but is Tremlett history now as far as the national team are concerned?
‘I’ve not been involved with the England team but Andy Flower has kept in touch and I’m sure they’re keeping one eye on me,’ said Tremlett. ‘They’re aware of what I’ve been doing which is nice to know. England is the step to get back up to and I feel that when I’m bowling well I’m as good as anyone.
‘I played in a great side and I don’t think I did much wrong. Now I’ve had an annoying setback which has taken a long time to heal and has been frustrating but I’ve done the work and need to play. I feel I can be as good as I was. It feels the same running in.’
England, with Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan, Graham Onions and Steven Finn all competing for three Test places, do not have an immediate need for Tremlett. But, with the height, pace and bounce that he brings, the Surrey giant would improve any team. It is good to have him back.
Chance to Shine ambassador Chris Tremlett was helping to promote the ‘play hard, play fair’ message of MCC Spirit of Cricket. D'Oliveira legend lives onTake a look at the county scoreboards for this year’s Twenty20 competition and a famous name jumps out at you.
Brett D’Oliveira is the grandson of the late, great Basil and the third generation of his family to play for Worcestershire, with father Damian having played a big role in his development as second-team coach at New Road. Now he is making his way in the first team.
Legend: D'Oliveira (centre) passed away last yearSo keen are Worcestershire to protect a young leg-spinning all-rounder from extra pressure because of his surname that director of cricket Steve Rhodes is reluctant to talk about him, saying only that D’Oliveira is a ‘good prospect’.
But the potential was there to see on Sunday when he took three Somerset wickets in the best of his first-team performances to date. We wish him well.
Calling it a day: Ramprakash Ramprakash signs offMark Ramprakash will on Thursday call time on one of the most prolific but enigmatic careers in cricket history when he announces his retirement.
Ramprakash, 42, hit an astonishing 114 first-class centuries before losing his Surrey place earlier this season, but in a 52-Test career he could average only 27.
Sadly, we will never know what he might have achieved had he come along in the modern age of central contracts and continuity of selection.
Under Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss the gifted but volatile Ramprakash just might have become one of the all-time greats in his prime.
Bumble's final wordEngland are a damn good team in all forms of the game but it is still a crying shame that Kevin Pietersen cannot play Twenty20 cricket after retiring from the 50-over game.
Look at the Aussies. Michael Clarke retired from Twenty20 but still plays in Tests and one-day internationals. Was that what Geoff Miller and John Inverarity, the heads of the England and Australia selection panels respectively, were talking about at Lord’s last Friday?
Twenty20 is box-office cricket and KP is a box-office talent. The spectators are being deprived of that talent and I just wonder if the ECB might reconsider and let Pietersen play in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September. Don’t shut the door on him.
More... Farewell Tom: Stars of cricket pay respects at funeral of Maynard Fans vent their anger after England's duel with Australia at Edgbaston is washed out
