Chris Tremlett

Born into a cricketing family, it is safe to say that Cricket runs in Chris Tremlett's blood. His grandfather represented England in Tests and his father was a respected county cricketer. Standing at 6ft 7in, Tremlett is one of the tallest men to have played the game. The height and a massive frame suits his bowling style to perfection.

Relying on disconcerting bounce to get his wickets it was no surprise that he was picked for the Perth Test in 2010/11 against Australia. At the MCG, Tremlett shot to fame almost immediately picking three wickets on the first morning to plunge Australia to 98 all out. He was not done though. He picked up four more wickets in the second innings and helped England to a decisive victory. He carried his good form into his next Test series. This time it was Sri Lanka who bore the brunt of the menacing bowling.

He picked up a career best of 6/48 in the third Test and sunk Sri Lanka to 184 all out. These were good times for Tremlett and he was on the rise. It has not been all smooth though. Fast bowling is not an easy task and Tremlett's career has always been stop-start thanks to a number of injuries. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2006 and was denied a hat-trick in the same when the ball failed to dislodge the bails after hitting the stumps!

He made his Test debut against India in 2007 and managed to impress then too picking up 10 wickets in his first two games against a strong Indian batting line -up. However a string of injuries and vast spells of inconsistency saw the early promise fade into the oblivion. He was included in England's ODI squad to face Scotland after missing the 2007-08 winter tours but a heal injury forced him into familiar wilderness.

Following a lean 2009 season, Tremlett switched to Hampshire from Surrey. He enjoyed a jump start to his new stint at Surrey, claiming 4-35, to skittle out Gloucestershire for 229. He continued his rich form and a year later he was back into national reckoning for the 2010 Ashes tour on recommendation of England's bowling coach, David Saker, who believed that his barrel-chested frame and economical action bore all the hallmarks of an international-standard bowler. He vindicated Saker's faith in him and played a pivotal role in England's successful Ashes campaign.

A back problem flared up after the Pakistan tour, requiring immediate surgery. After having returned to full tilt, Tremlett was drafted back in the English squad for the 2013-14 Ashes Down Under thanks to a career-best 8-96 against Durham. However, a poor first Test at Brisbane meant he lost his place in the side was on the bench for the rest of the tour.
By Ganesh Chandrasekaran and Deivarayn Muthu