Kent off spinner James Tredwell has told KSN how delighted he is after being recalled to the England Test squad on Tuesday.

Tredwell, who turned 30 on Monday, was named as one of four spinners in England’s sixteen man touring party for the two Test series against Sri Lanka in March and April.

His inclusion back in the Test squad, some two years after his one and only Test against Bangladesh in March 2010 may have surprised some within the game, but for Tredwell it was a very welcome phone call:

“I had a phone call from Geoff Miller (ECB Chairman of selectors) on Sunday morning, explaining the situation and what would be happening. I was slightly surprised having not been involved in the winter in any sort of way.”

“Having been involved last winter and doing reasonably well, my name was still in the hat and that was pleasing to know. I have impressed in the past, so I’ll hopefully continue to do that and you never know, I might get a go along the way.”

Despite not having been selected for the tours to both India and the for the recent series against Pakistan, Tredwell told KSN how we was pleased that the selectors were good to their word at the back end of last season when they said he was still in their thoughts:

“That drives you on to keep your training going. Although I had a quiet couple of months at the back end of last season, I kept up my training and that will pay off now I’ve been selected. Hopefully, I can go over there and be in good shape if I’m needed.”

Tredwell’s recall to the side means England will travel with four spinners, with Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar joined by Samit Patel for the two Test series and the Kent bowler believes there is every chance England could face Sri Lanka with three or even four spinners in the side:

“In that part of the world, it’s been shown that Pakistan can have success with three spinners and Samit has mainly been a batsman in his county career who bowls, so that is an option as he can play as a batter and offer a few overs here and there.”

“We could play four spinners if we want to go in with three frontline spin bowlers, equally there are great seam bowling options within the squad. If wickets allow, they will come into play as well, so there are good options all around for the squad.”

Even though Head Coach Andy Flower has already indicated that Tredwell is going as cover for Graeme Swann, the Kent bowler is hoping to do enough to force his way into the starting eleven:

“I guess I am initially going as understudy to Swanny, who has had a fantastic time of it, while Monty has done really well in recent games. English sides haven’t got the history of playing more than two spinners and with the seam bowling being as good as they are, it’ll be tough to leave some of them out, but when you go to that pasrt of the world, you just never know what you’ll come up against.”

“We could get to one place and not need any seamers at all, so you’ve got to go in with your eyes wide open. I’ve just got to be ready to play if needs be.”

Two years in the wilderness in terms of Test Cricket could leave some players doubting whether they’d get another chance, with Tredwell admitting that he is keen to make sure he plays more than just the one game for England in his career:

“In some ways it has been a long time, but in others it hasn’t. It’s still pretty fresh in the memory, although in terms of months it’s been a reasonable amount of time. It was a proud moment and I don’t want to be known as a one Test wonder.”

“I’ll be doing everything I can in training and will hopefully get a go in the practice games. If I do well, I’ll hopefully put my name forward to get a go in the Tests.”

“Equally, I know there are probably two players in front of me at the moment, so I’ve got a fair amount to do to knock them out of the team.”

Tredwell will be one of seven players heading out to Sri Lanka early to get adjusted to the conditions. England batting coach Graham Gooch will lead the training camp involving Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Steven Davies, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Matt Prior and Tredwell with the Kent spinner hoping to use the extra time out there to good effect:

“I leave on Monday, which I think is about a week earlier than the next group, so it’ll be nice for me as I’ve been hemmed up inside the indoor school over the winter.”

“It’ll be nice to get outside into the sunshine and onto grass, and get some practice on their wickets out there.”

Tredwell’s trip to Sri Lanka with England will mean he missed Kent’s pre-season ten day stint in Antigua, the warm up games, plus the first Championship game against Yorkshire at Headingley, but told KSN how he will be determined to do well for the side on his return:

“I’ve spent the winter preparing for Kent’s new season and you immerse yourself in what you’re doing at the time. Obviously with Jimmy (Adams) coming in and a few new faces, there is a real sense of excitement within the group. To miss out on the tour to Antigua is a bit of a loss, but it’s a nice way not to be there.”

“I think everyone at the club is proud for me and hopefully I can go out there and do everyone proud.”

“The last time I played at Headingley I took for 7 for 20, so I’d have happily gone up there as I tend to do alright against Yorkshire, but that’s not to be. As much as I’d like to be up there playing for Kent, every county cricketer in the country would gladly miss one Championship game to be on a tour for England.”

Tredwell’s inclusion in the England squad will mean he will be away from home for just over month, his first spell away from new son Jacob, something that will be hard for the father of one:

“It’ll be tough as I’ve been at home for the past six months with him and now we’ve got a new puppy, so it’s like having two little ones running around. It’ll be tough for my wife as well as she’ll be starting back at work just about the time I leave.”

“It’s a month, but at the end of the day our careers aren’t the longest, so you have to take the rough with the smooth.”

Turning thirty can be a real milestone for any person, let along a cricketer, but for Tredwell celebrating his birthday on Monday along with the news of his call up by England prompted little partying:

“I had a nice steak meal and a couple of glasses of wine, but that was about it. I’m not one for big celebrations and hitting thirty, it’s only downhill from here!”

Everyone at Kent Sports News would like to congratulate James on regaining his place in the England Test squad and hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him with the three lions on his shirt soon.