Tredwell hopes to make his mark with England

Kent spinner James Tredwell (pictured) is hoping to get more chances on England“s upcoming trips to Dubai and Bangladesh, after a luckless tour to South Africa.

The 27-year-old off-spinner failed to make his Test match debut in the recently drawn series in South Africa but has emerged as first-choice back-up to Graeme Swann in recent times, and is now hoping to gain greater involvement.

“It was a long tough tour in South Africa. I got a late call up and not playing a game made it quite hard work for me. Still, I must have done something right in the nets to get on these upcoming tours.”

The rationale for picking Tredwell is obvious, not least for the 69 wickets he took in the LV= county championship last year. Now he is hoping to play a bigger part in Dubai and Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh is a big tour for me because there is a good chance that we will look to go double spin. Swanny is going so well at the moment but I will be doing everything possible to put my name into the hat.

“I“ve never been there before and have received mixed reports about the conditions. I think it will be tough; both on and off the pitch.

“They have several left-handed batters in their team so hopefully that will help although Swanny generally gets all the left-handers out, so I might not get a chance!”

Tredwell knows a fair bit about managing bowling attacks in the sub-continent, having captained the England Lions on their tour of India in 2003-04 – the same winter that England last went to Bangladesh. Kevin Pietersen was a part of that Lions team and now he will hope to play a key part along with the mercurial England batsman.

“KP is a fine cricketer but we have many good players in the side. We did well in South Africa and went into the last game with a fine chance of winning the series. Still, all of the batsman will need to play spin well because it always comes to the fore in this part of the world,” he said.

Before all that, Tredwell will have the opportunity to gain some much-needed time in the middle for the Lions, who visit the United Arab Emirates prior to England“s arrival.

In matches against the UAE and Pakistan A, Tredwell can prove he is also a containing force in Twenty20 cricket.

He is scheduled to join up with the full England squad in Abu Dhabi on February 17 but who will he be playing for?

“I think I will feature although I“m not sure which side I will be involved with.

“I“m just looking forward to playing some cricket. Having been in the squads all winter and not getting out in the middle, it can get a bit frustrating but I“m confident of greater involvement and hopefully I can start my Test career with England.”

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