Tremlett makes case to face world champs

Chris Tremlett is next in line for a chance to knock the Aussies down to size.

The 6ft 7in paceman enjoyed an impressive international debut at Trent Bridge last night, taking four for 32 and going agonisingly close to a hat-trick as Bangladesh were beaten by 168 runs in the NatWest triangular tournament.

Now Tremlett, added to the squad last weekend because of Simon Jones's knee injury and given an outing so England could rest Darren Gough, could keep his place in the team for tomorrow's meeting with Australia at Chester-le-Street.

Gough is certain to return against the world champions but Tremlett (below) may have done enough in Nottingham to dislodge Jon Lewis. Even if he doesn't, the 23-yearold grandson of 1940s Test batsman Maurice and the son of Hampshire's head coach Tim is a good bet to face Australia at some stage.

"The script has gone very well for me this season and, hopefully, it can continue that way," said Tremlett, who this month helped Hampshire to a championship victory over Notts by taking a hat-trick at Trent Bridge. Last night, Tremlett could hardly have got closer to repeating the feat. Mohammad Ashraful blocked the hat-trick delivery but then saw it bounce up and land on top of the bails without breaking the wicket.

On an ordinary evening, Tremlett could have been man of the match. Last night he was barely in the frame with Ashraful scoring a brilliant 94, Andrew Strauss hitting 152 and Paul Collingwood outdoing everyone who has ever played one-day internationals by making 112 and then taking six for 31 - the finest all-round performance by anyone, from any country, at limited-overs level.