While there’s no denying how stoked Yeoval product Chris Tremain is to have been named in Australia’s squad for the first two Tests of this summer’s series against India, the 27-year-old Victorian tearaway refuses to get too far ahead of himself.
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With quicks Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and Young-born finger-spinner Nathan Lyon considered locks, former Macquarie Valley quick Tremain says he’s being realistic regarding his chances of making his debut against the world No.1 Indians.
“I haven't really spoken to anyone, but from what I can see those guys are all fit and firing so there’s a world-class pace attack still ahead of me. I said to mum when I spoke to her that I wouldn’t be booking any flights just yet,” Tremain laughed, the first two Test of the series are at Adelaide and Perth.
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“Realistically it’s the first two games of the summer too, so I’ll enjoy the fact I’ve earned a spot and if I’m still around the group at the back end of the summer then who knows.
“I’m still biding my time, I’m just doing it from the inside now. It is really encouraging though, really exciting.”
Tremain’s selection comes after many considered him desperately unlucky to have missed the Aussies’ two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, but he’s followed that disappointment by dominating the opening four rounds of the JLT Sheffield Shield.
Since he missed out on that tour the one time South Dubbo Hornet has taken 24 wickets at 20.45, including three five-wicket hauls, with only fellow Victorian Scott Boland (26 at 16.69) bettering that mark.
He’ll have one more chance to press his claims for a start in the opening Test too, with his Victorians heading to the Gabba to take on Queensland from next Tuesday onward.
He’s not focused on another stellar performance potentially catapulting him further into the Australian frame though, his steely gaze isn’t drifting from the job at hand – winning.
“My role hasn’t changed,” he said.
“It can actually be quite distracting when you’ve got something going on outside of the game that might take your focus away, and you can never be in two places at once, mentally, or you just won’t do your job.
“So I’ll just focus on the challenge we’ve got ahead of us at the Gabba and trying to help Victoria win another game of cricket.
“There’s two batsmen in that Queensland side in Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne that will be really desperate to score some runs (after they missed out on the squad) so my job will be the same as it has been for the last few years.”
Tremain’s selection also proves he’s made good on his word to never miss a golden opportunity again, something he still thinks he did when he was “found out” physically after being summoned into Australia’s limited overs training squad in the UK in May.
“I’ve tweaked a bit since then to try and make sure I’m doing all the right things and more than anything, stay on the paddock which I largely have in recent seasons,” the reigning Sheffield Shield player-of-the-year said.
“That was quite a long time ago, months anyway, and since then I’ve played a lot more cricket and your match fitness and general fitness improves as you do that so I think the changes I’ve made have been working.”
Tremain is one of two uncapped players included in Australia’s 14-man squad along with fellow Victorian Marcus Harris, who looks all but assured of a debut at the top of the order.
Bushrangers skipper Pete Handscomb has been recalled to the Australian set-up, while quick Peter Siddle held his place after returning to the international scene in the UAE.
Selectors have shown faith in Aaron Finch and Travis Head, while Usman Khawaja has been included too and will skipper Queensland next week in his first game back after knee surgery.
The Vics’ clash with Queensland begins on November 27, while the first Test at Adelaide Oval starts on December 6.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
