With just two days remaining, when England takes on India in the first test of the tournament, the home side has got a setback in the form of fast bowler Steve Harmison backing out of the match with a hernia problem. Hampshire’s debutant Chris Tremlett has been called up as replacement.
The injury first struck Harmison during the last match of the 3-0 whitewash of the Test series against West Indies. Steve had hoped against hope to battle his injury to make his place in the Test series against India. However, his hopes dashed during a county match when the injury recurred, ruling Harmison out of the first Test. No one knows whether he will be available for the rest of the series. As his injury needs to be operated upon, before he can launch a full fledged attack against the batsmen. For the time being, Hamphire bowler Christopher Timothy Tremlett will do the duty.
Chris Tremlett, a sturdy fast bowler at 6 ft 7inches, son of Tim Tremlett, former Hampshire seamer and present coach, made his ODI debut during the 2005 NatWest Series, performed quite well, but to his luck he would have earned a hat-trick against lowly Bangladesh, when the ball shooed off the stumps without dislocating the bails. Even his recent performance against the visiting India side in a practice match impressed the selectors that made possible his inclusion in the side.
Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, justifying Tremlett’s selection said,
Chris performed well in the recent England Lions tour match against India and his inclusion will give us additional options when we come to decide on our starting XI for Thursday.
With the mainstay batsmen of the Indian side in their full flow, it will be testing time for English bowlers in the absence of Harmison. The burden will have to be shared by Mathew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson and a bunch of new comers. However, the home team will be hoping that Harmison returns after the first test of the three Test series that begins on July 19 at Lords.
Via: Bloomberg
