Fit-again Tudor aims for Test return

Alex Tudor is aiming to convince England's selectors that he is fit for next week's second Test against India at Trent Bridge.

The Surrey seamer missed England's 170-run opening Test victory at Lord's with shin splints sustained during the NatWest Series final defeat by India a fortnight earlier.

Tudor played for Surrey against Essex at Guildford this week in the Norwich Union League, and hopes to make the team in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy semi-final against Yorkshire at Headingley.

It remains to be seen whether Tudor can convince the selectors that that he is fit for a five-day game, particularly as both Simon Jones (side strain) and Andrew Flintoff (groin), have niggles.

England captain Nasser Hussain has insisted that any player returning from injury must prove their fitness in a first-class match, and Surrey's next game starts on the same day as the Test, on August 8 against Sussex at Hove.

Tudor was made man-of-the-match for his performance against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, only to miss the Lord's game because of the injury.

"I was very frustrated to miss out on the Test match," Tudor said. "I wanted to use this Test towards establishing myself in the England team.

"I was lucky enough to get the man-of-the-match award in the previous Test at Old Trafford and got drafted into the one-day squad and I wanted to be part of the first Test against India at Lord's.

"It was disappointing I wasn't able to do that, but hopefully the injury has cleared up now and if things go well maybe I'll get in for the next Test."