Starting as a young off-spinner for Kent, James Tredwell's clever ability to wield the bat just as resourcefully made him one of the finest English allrounders in the domestic scene. His persistent success for Kent in a career-spanning a decade bore fruit when he was named as the County captain at the end of 2012 season, replacing Robert Key.

After a successful start to his county career in 2001, within two years, Tredwell became a regular member of the Kent team in both the long and short formats of the game. In 2002, he made 19 List A appearances for Kent, claiming 21 wickets at a good average of 23.76. In the County Championship of 2007, he scored his maiden First-Class century against Yorkshire and took 6/47 against Surrey. He was also a part of the winning side of 2007 Twenty20 Cup. An amazing 2007 season rewarded him with a place in the Performance squad that toured India in the winter of 2007-08. This led to a subsequent place in the national side for the ODI series against New Zealand in January 2008.

Though he did not play in the series, his sensational performances for Kent and the England Lions established him as a formidable allrounder on the County circuit. He had a dream 2009 season, taking 69 First-Class wickets, including a career best bowling figures of 8/66 against Glamorgan. His career best knock of 123 not out that came against a touring New Zealand team in the same year ignited hopes of Tredwell being included in the playing XI for the national side.

He was called up again to be a part of the English team touring South Africa in 2009-10 as a likely replacement for Graeme Swann. But, he made his Test debut only when England toured Bangladesh in March 2010. In the second Test, he proved his mettle by taking six crucial wickets as England thumped Bangladesh by a convincing nine-wicket margin. That, however, has been Tredwell's only Test match so far.

With consistently good performances in the domestic season of 2010, Tredwell formed a part of the 15-member squad for 2011 World Cup. He played two matches and helped England qualify for the quarter-finals with match-winning figures of 4/48 against West Indies.

In the summer of 2012, Tredwell formed a part of the squads that played against Australia and South Africa. He made his T20l debut later that year in India and put up a solid performance in the ODIs that followed by taking 11 wickets. Tredwell even captained England in the second T20I against New Zealand in June 2013 after Morgan was ruled out with a hand injury.

Even after the retirement of Swann, Tredwell has struggled to command a place in the ODI side, mainly due to the emergence of Moeen Ali But, the English selectors showed faith in him by picking the utility cricketer for the World Cup.

By Sonali Dhulap
As of January 2015