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Cricket

Read 'deserves a go' at England keeper spot

29/09/2008

Nottinghamshire bowler Charlie Shreck has called on the England selectors to pick team-mate Chris Read as one of the wicketkeepers for the upcoming tour of India.

The 30-year-old glovesman, who has played in only 15 Tests for his country despite being continually ranked among the best at his position in county cricket, will be hoping for a call from chairman of selectors Geoff Miller this morning.

The lineup for the tour of the subcontinent this winter will be announced at lunchtime, with Sussex's Matt Prior expected to keep his place as the first choice behind the stumps.

However, the race to go to India as his understudy is likely to be close - with incumbent second-choice Tim Ambrose, Kent's Geraint Jones and Read all vying for a place in Peter Moores' squad.

And Shreck believes the season Read has enjoyed as one of his side's leading batsmen should prompt a call-up - even if he is less than optimistic about this actually happening.

"Chris has done a sterling job this season, scoring runs and taking his catches," Shreck told inthenews.co.uk.

"I think he is pretty relaxed about his international status at the moment, he's quite happy doing what he is doing.

"I think that he is the best glovesman in the country and deserves his go. But he's had a chance before and is realistic about it."

Shreck, who was in good form himself for Nottinghamshire in their excellent county season in 2008, backed Read to impress if given the opportunity.

But said his team-mate is not banking on a phonecall from Moores and chairman of selectors Geoff Miller in the near future.

"If he does get another go I'm sure he'll try his hardest," Shreck added.

"If he does get a call-up he'll be very happy, but he's not sitting by the phone."