Kent off spinner James Tredwell has been called up to the England squad ahead of Wednesday’s opening test in South Africa as backup for Graeme Swann, who is currently recovering from an injury.

Swann is expected to be fit for the test, according to England coach Andy Flower who said “Graeme’s injury is improving and we expect him to be available for the first Test match”.

Tredwell is being drafted in to cover in case the injury flares up at any point over the four test series, “with a further three matches to come after Centurion we have decided that we need a ‘like-for-like’ replacement on hand for Graeme should this be required later in the tour” Flower continued.

If he does make the team for one of the matches, it will be the first test cap for the 27 year-old who made his first class debut for Kent in 2001.

England will hope that the more experienced Swann is fit for the four match series, however, in Tredwell, they have a reasonably good replacement who has plenty of first class cricket under his belt.

The four test series between South Africa and England begins with the opening test match at Centurian between 16th and 20th December 2009.

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