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Side strain rules Tremlett out of New Zealand Test series

29/02/2008

England paceman Chris Tremlett has been ruled out of the remainder of the New Zealand tour after suffering a side strain in the final warm-up match.

The Hampshire fast bowler was expected to challenge inconsistent seamer Steve Harmison for a place in the starting XI for the first Test in Hamilton, which begins next week.

However, he injured his side on the second day of the warm-up match against a Black Caps Select XI in Dunedin and will fly home for treatment.

Tremlett's injury adds to head coach Peter Moores' selection problems in the fielding department, with first-choice strike bowler Ryan Sidebottom currently sidelined with a hamstring strain and facing a race for fitness ahead of next week.

Harmison showed glimpses of a return to form on day two of the warm-up game, taking four wickets for 31 runs to add to his somewhat disappointing figures of 1-59 on the first day.

And the Durham man said he was now beginning to adjust to the conditions down under, after arriving late to be present for the birth of his fourth child.

"It's got marginally better the more and more I've bowled," said Harmison.

"At this moment in time I'm still trying to find my feet and find the right length on these wickets because I've only been in the country eight days.

"I wouldn't have swapped coming here late for the world but I am the sort of bowler that does take time to being used to being in a different country and I feel I've acclimatised better than I thought I would which is a bonus."

The first Test between England and New Zealand begins in Hamilton on March 5th.