Chris Tremlett: I came in at a difficult situation

Anand Vasu

January 21, 2001

England were in a spot of bother when stumper Mark Wallace was snared by off spinner Mulewa Dharmichand. At 313/6 it looked like they could lose their way after setting up such a strong platform. In walked Chris Tremlett. With the hopes of the England camp resting on his broad shoulders, Tremlett went about his task in earnest. "I came in at a difficult situation. Initially I just tried to play straight and pick up the ones and twos. Later on in my innings I decided to have a go at the bowling and some big hits came off," he said.

Having lost his brother in a car crash just before leaving for India, Tremlett arrived on tour late. When he got the opportunity though, he did not let it go. Making the most of the practice match against South Zone, Tremlett prepared himself for the Test match. "Scoring runs in the practice game gave me a lot of confidence. Everything's going according to plan so far," said the tall Hampshire lad.

Although the practice match had given him a boost in confidence, one match is hardly enough to acclimatise to conditions in the subcontinent. Chris Tremlett conceded that there were still difficulties, "The heat is the main thing. In England I would bowl seven or eight overs in a spell. Here you can only sustain yourself for four or five overs."

When someone is six feet seven inches tall and says he bowls mediumpace, you have visions of a big strong lad pounding in and getting the ball to whistle around batsmen's ears. While he's big and strong, Chris Tremlett certainly isn't express pace. "I'm not trying to bowl as quick as I can. The wickets don't really help me and I'm just trying to get the ball in the right spot. I'm trying to use my height to my best advantage. If I can extract a bit of bounce I might be able to surprise batsman," explains the allrounder.

If his explanation is anything to go by, Tremlett's attitude to the game is indeed a healthy one. Where did he get it from? From his father or grandfather who played for Hampshire and England respectively? Who does Chris Tremlett look up to? "Glen McGrath. He's a good role model I think. He bowls a good line and gets the job done. In the batting department it would have to be someone like Lance Klusener, who likes to give the ball a bit of a hit. Or maybe someone like Mark Waugh who plays so straight," replies Tremlett.

He's not a Mark Waugh, Lance Klusener or Glen McGrath. What he is, is a very promising young Tremlett. Playing a significant role with both bat and ball, Tremlett is going to prove to be a key member of this England Under-19 side.

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Players/Umpires

Chris Tremlett

Series/Tournaments

England Under-19s in India Youth ODI Series

England Under-19s in India Youth Test Series

England Under-19s tour of India

Teams

India