'Improving' Tremlett ready for England

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterDate: 1-5 AugustStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices

Surrey bowling coach Stuart Barnes believes Chris Tremlett's hard work in the winter has merited his England recall for Thursday's third Test.

The 31-year-old fast bowler has not played for England for 15 months.

"He's not set the world alight this year but as we've moved through the summer I've seen Chris improving steadily throughout," said Barnes.

"Ultimately he makes the batter play, bowling a real attacking line and bowling an international line."

Tremlett has had a number of injuries since his last England appearance, but took 17 ­wickets in just three Tests during the last Ashes series in Australia.

Age: 31 Tests: 11 Wickets: 49 at 26.75 Has only made one Test appearance in the last two years (against Pakistan in Dubai, January 2012) Has faced Australia in Three Tests (Perth, Melbourne and Sydney on 2010-11 tour) This season he has taken 19 County Championship wickets at an average of 39.6 and with Old Trafford renowned for having a pitch that helps fast bowlers produce bounce, the 6ft 7in bowler could make a surprise return.

"When I started in November, one of his ambitions and goals was to get back into the England team," Barnes told BBC London 94.9.

"To do that, he had to get back playing and performing for Surrey and there's been this real steely determination to get to those goals throughout the winter.

"He's been constantly improving. He's achieved lateral movement when the ball is swinging for us which has often meant he beats the bat without taking wickets."

Former England team-mate Steve Harmison told BBC Radio 5 live: "When you get Chris Tremlett bowling well, he has got things nobody else has got - pace, he's tall, he hits a good area.

"Now if they want to wrap him up in cotton wool ready for [the return series in] Australia, I don't see the point of that.

"When you've got him fit and firing, get him out there, get him playing.

"If he comes in, he comes in for Tim Bresnan, who to be fair has done nothing wrong.

"Do you bring him straight into the side? Well I would argue you do because there's no point picking him and not playing him.

"To get him up carrying drinks for two or three days and then send him away - that just completely messes his whole plan up for the rest of the summer."

View the original article here