Chris Tremlett returns to the place where he first learned to play professional cricket this week, claiming that he would have never earned another crack at glory with England had he not left Hampshire for Surrey two years ago.
After seven years with the south-coast county, Tremlett finally won his first cap against India in 2007, but his spell among England's attack was shortlived and he was dropped from the squad soon after thanks to a struggle with fitness and form.
The 29-year-old was facing the prospect of never earning another England cap before a move to Surrey in the summer of 2009 reignited his career.
After taking almost 50 wickets in his first season at the Oval, Tremlett worked his way back into the England reckoning and earned a place in Andrew Strauss' squad for last year's successful Ashes defence.
It was in Australia where Tremlett proved his Test credentials, taking 17 wickets to help Strauss' men win their Ashes series Down Under since 1986 and his excellent current form means he is likely to lead the England attack in this week's third npower Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl.
As he started preparations for the final Test of the series, which England lead 1-0, Tremlett talked candidly about his time at Hampshire, where he feels his career would have stagnated had he not decided to move to Surrey.
"I needed a new focus that summer and coming to London was another new challenge for me," Tremlett said.
"I was at Hampshire for 10 years. I needed to move on, try something different and prove some people wrong and I felt that staying at Hampshire would have never given me a chance to get back into an England shirt.
"I had to move and start again. Thankfully I had the season I had and got selected."
After seven years with the south-coast county, Tremlett finally won his first cap against India in 2007, but his spell among England's attack was shortlived and he was dropped from the squad soon after thanks to a struggle with fitness and form.
The 29-year-old was facing the prospect of never earning another England cap before a move to Surrey in the summer of 2009 reignited his career.
After taking almost 50 wickets in his first season at the Oval, Tremlett worked his way back into the England reckoning and earned a place in Andrew Strauss' squad for last year's successful Ashes defence.
It was in Australia where Tremlett proved his Test credentials, taking 17 wickets to help Strauss' men win their Ashes series Down Under since 1986 and his excellent current form means he is likely to lead the England attack in this week's third npower Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl.
As he started preparations for the final Test of the series, which England lead 1-0, Tremlett talked candidly about his time at Hampshire, where he feels his career would have stagnated had he not decided to move to Surrey.
"I needed a new focus that summer and coming to London was another new challenge for me," Tremlett said.
"I was at Hampshire for 10 years. I needed to move on, try something different and prove some people wrong and I felt that staying at Hampshire would have never given me a chance to get back into an England shirt.
"I had to move and start again. Thankfully I had the season I had and got selected."
