Bouncy tracks, Tremlett won't let India rest easy

By Richard Sydenham The last time India came up against Chris Tremlett he managed 13 wickets in three Tests. Four years on his coach believes the Indians should expect to find a much-improved Tremlett who “will trouble” them. Tremlett made his Test debut against India at Lord’s in 2007 and gave more than a glimpse of his pace threat and awkward bounce and none more so than at Trent Bridge when he claimed three for 12 while India chased a modest victory total. This summer, it will be interesting how the Indians combat a more mature and fitter Tremlett who is enjoying a Test comeback after impressing in the recent Ashes series. [caption id=“attachment_27666” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Chris Tremlett will be a very dangerous opponent for India too. AFP”] [/caption] He has built on that showing by giving the hapless Sri Lankan batsmen a thorough examination of their technique against the bouncing ball, taking six for 42 in the third Test at The Rose Bowl, which is his Test best and may yet become a seven-for. “India are a handful at any time with their batting line-up (but) if we get wickets with bounce, it will suit Chris,” England’s Australian bowling coach David Saker said on Friday. “The Indians will be troubled by him. “He bowled quite well against India in the last series in England. If we can get the wickets needed against India we’re looking forward to that Test series very much.” The world-topping Indian batsmen are not the fearful bunch they once were once renowned as when they were on their travels. Navjot Sidhu once said that the production of low, slow pitches in India had created a generation of Indian batsmen who struggled against the bouncing ball. But Saker hinted that the England and Wales Cricket Board would be seeking fast and bouncy surfaces in the four Test matches at Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and The Oval. “That’s a job for the ECB and the people in charge there,” he said. “We love fast, bouncy wickets – that generates good cricket anyway. Good batters generally score quickly. “It’s good for the general public to watch that. The general public don’t want to see two for 350 in a day’s play and no square-of-the-wicket shots. “A wicket when the score is one for 400, that’s just as bad a wicket that’s all out 60. They’ve just got to get a balance. Our bowling attack would like a bit of pace and bounce.” So Viru, Sachin and Co, you now know what to expect!