Kerrigan: It all felt a bit surreal to be honest

Cricket365
August 18, 2013

Spinner Simon Kerrigan delighted in his graduation to the international fold, after being named in England's squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test, which will get underway at The Oval in London on Wednesday.

Fast bowler Steven Finn, meanwhile has been recalled – and the lanky Chris Tremlett retained. All-rounder Tim Bresnan and seamer Graham Onions, however, were not considered due to injury.

Left-arm spinner Kerrigan has graduated to the international fold on the back of an outstanding 2013 County Championship Division Two campaign, clinching 47 wickets in 10 matches at the impressive average of 20.23.

Seamer Chris Woakes, who has earned 13 ODIs and four Twenty20 Internationals, has been afforded a second chance to debut in a Test too – after not getting a berth in the final XI despite featuring the squad for the series against New Zealand earlier this year.

"I found out on Saturday when I got a call from national selector Geoff Miller. I'm delighted to be selected, but it was a bit hard to take in when he rang. It all felt a bit surreal to be honest," said Kerrigan.

"I've been inundated with good luck messages and congratulations. My phone went into a bit of a meltdown, and I'm grateful for all the messages and good wishes. I am really happy about it all."

While the 24-year-old Kerrigan has been named in the 14-man squad ahead of fellow slow bowler Monty Panesar, who was recently fined for urinating on a security guard in Brighton, his participation in the playing XI remains in the balance.

England, who sport an unassailable three-nil lead in the five-fixture affair on the back of a 14-run win at Trent Bridge, 347-run victory at Lord's, rain-affected draw at Old Trafford and 74-run triumph at Chester-le-Street, are not likely to rest the in-form Graeme Swann.

"Hopefully I can impress over the next couple of days and be ready if they choose two spinners," added Kerrigan.