Tremlett expects to miss out

Chris Tremlett made the early breakthroughs © Getty Images

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Chris Tremlett admitted he does not expect to win a call-up for England’s first Test against New Zealand despite an eye-catching display for the Lions.

The Hampshire seamer has slipped down the pecking order after England dropped Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison during the winter, a move which has intensified the competition for places.

But as the selectors prepare to name their squad for the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday, Tremlett produced a timely display to claim 3-58 as New Zealand reached 261 for nine at the close of the second day at the Rose Bowl.

He was the best of the Lions’ attack – although Hoggard also claimed three wickets with the second new ball – but Tremlett does not expect to hear his name in the list of names announced this weekend.

“There’s lots of competition with Jimmy Anderson, who is bowling well, Hoggy, Harmy and myself all looking for a place,” admitted Tremlett.

“It’s all about being consistent and keeping knocking on the door, but realistically I don’t think I’ve got a chance of playing in the first Test because Freddie (Andrew Flintoff) might be back as well, so that’s even more competition.

“We’ve got Matthew Hoggard here trying really hard to get his place back and everyone is fighting for places. There is great competition about but that’s healthy for our team.”

Tremlett’s efforts at the start of the day helped reduce the tourists to 47 for three, but an unbeaten 139 from opener Aaron Redmond enabled them to recover to reach the halfway point of the match trailing by 19 runs.

Redmond, who hit 22 fours in his innings, has almost certainly secured his place in New Zealand’s line-up for the first Test and can start thinking about making his debut at Lord’s.

He had to endure several spells of short-pitched bowling, which included being hit on the helmet, but survived and said: “Those boys bowled well and you really had to tough it out.

“I wanted to bat through the whole day and to do that is quite an achievement so I’m pretty pleased with that.

“My job is to set up the game for the bigger hitters and the guys with a few more shots so I was just determined to stay in and a bit of luck went my way.”