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Tredwell to join England squad as spin cover

James Tredwell has performed well for England in recent ODIs © PA Photos

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James Tredwell, the Kent offspinner, will fly out to India and join up with the England Test squad on December 1.

The 30-year-old Tredwell, who was appointed captain of Kent earlier this month, was not selected as part of the England Performance Programme - who are currently in India playing their first match on tour - but he will join the Test squad as back-up for the first choice spinners, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

With England now committed to playing two spinners in the remaining two Tests in the series, the team management decided it was wise to ensure there was cover for illness or injury.

"Tredwell has performed really well for us," Andy Flower, England's team director said. "He can make a real impact as a spin bowler. He is arriving in Kolkata as cover. We have some spinners with the performance programme but Tredwell is our senior spinner and will stay with us for the Tests."

Tredwell has only represented England in one Test, but he made a favourable impression in it - claiming six wickets in the match as England defeated Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2010 - and has continued to perform decently as a fringe member of the ODI side.

He took 4 for 48 in England's crucial victory over West Indies at the 2011 World Cup and last summer took 3 for 35 at Lord's, doing the majority of the damage in victory over South Africa.

The strength of his recent ODI performances saw him named as England's premier spinner for the T20 and ODI series against India either side of Christmas. Swann has been rested from both series.

England do have the option of calling on left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, legspinner Scott Borthwick or offspinner Azeem Rafiq, all of whom are currently in Mumbai as part of the England Performance Programme. But none have the experience of Tredwell.

George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.