David Saker makes a strong case for Chris Tremlett

CHRIS Tremlett is in pole position for the role of England's third seam bowler when the Ashes series begins at the Gabba on Thursday.

Chris Tremlett

CHRIS Tremlett is in pole position for the role of England's third seam bowler when the Ashes series begins at the Gabba on Thursday.

This is despite the giant paceman only taking one wicket in 37 overs on the tour.

The squad arrived in a rainy Brisbane yesterday  after their seven-wicket win over an Invitational XI in Sydney, in which Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin both bowled inconsistently.

Away from the middle, Tremlett impressed David Saker, the bowling coach and one of his strongest advocates, in the nets in Sydney. Saker believes that the bowler is close to his levels of 2010-11 when he took 17 Australia wickets in three Tests. None of the candidates for the one remaining vacancy in the side, however, has bowled as well as Saker would have liked so far.

"The nets at Sydney were fantastic batting surfaces and Chris came out of that really well," Saker said. "I think he gained a lot of confidence. Over the last week I've seen a big change from him."

Finn is the leading wicket-taker across the three warm-ups with 11, but his economy rate of 3.97 runs per over is a worry. Rankin has made a good start on his first trip with seven wickets and an economy rate of 3.22. Although Tremlett has gone for 3.95 an over he did most of his bowling in the first game, in Perth, where all of the bowlers bar James Anderson looked rusty.

Saker described Finn as "a work in progress" after changes to his action, and Rankin as "progressing in the right direction". There is no doubt that England want Tim Bresnan back as soon as possible. Bresnan is bowling at close to full pelt after his back injury and will play in either the two-day game at Alice Springs after Brisbane, or remain in the city for a three-day match with the Performance Programme before rejoining the squad for the second Test in Adelaide.

The build-up to the series has been characterised by some big statements from the Australia players, whether it is Mitchell Johnson predicting that he will break bones, Steve Smith threatening to target Graeme Swann or Michael Clarke trying to undermine Alastair Cook by naming the England team.

As an Australian, Saker is always the most likely member of the England group to respond in kind. "Our bowling group will put pressure on their batsmen," he said. "If they do want to come after our bowlers, good luck to them. There is a good chance we will get some opportunities that way."

Of Johnson, he said: " We know he is only one or two spells from being quite erratic. If he says he is going to try to take batsmen's heads off that means he is bowling short, not attacking the stumps. That is a plus for us."

The Times