Rose Bowl Honours for Tremlett

It was a sort of poetic justice for Chris Tremlett and Hampshire that the big man is the first to get his name on the Rose Bowl honours board and I’m sure that all the fans that gave him the rousing reception on Thursday will also approve.

This test match has further underlined just what an important part of this England side Tremlett has now become. Hopefully now Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower will see sense and finally install him as the new ball partner for James Anderson, as he certainly deserves that status.

It’s remarkable to think that he was only taken to the Ashes as cover – and if the reports were true, it was a bit touch and go if he was to even make that squad.

Tremlett now looks like he’s almost the finished article. He seems to know where his game is going now and ‘touch wood,’ all his injury problems are also well behind him.

On the flip side, Stuart Broad look like what he is. A man short of match practise who is still finding his way after injuries, that’s not a criticism, just an observation.

I’m not suggesting England drop him, but it must be harder to find your form and fitness playing for England, rather than Nottinghamshire. As he is the T20 captain and part of the 50 over side, I can’t see him playing county cricket for Notts anytime soon either, something I believe he would benefit from.

At the moment Broad must be classed as England’s third seamer, although I’m not convinced the selectors rank him that low. A marker of how strong England are in this position is that when Tim Bresnan is fit again, he probably won’t get a look in – not even after his Ashes’ performances.

Having said all that, there is plenty of room for improvement in England’s bowling. Lord’s wasn’t great and they’ve had their moments here as well. I’m not convinced that they have all got back into their top rhythm yet, hopefully by the time India arrive they will be firing on all cylinders again.