County news

Miller offers Read selection hope

Cricinfo staff

May 13, 2008

	Chris Read has started the summer in good form after taking on the Nottinghamshire captaincy © Getty Images

Read last played for England on the 2006-07 Ashes tour when he replaced Geraint Jones for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, but he never found favour during the Duncan Fletcher era. However, he is now captain of Nottinghamshire and has started the season in fine style with 283 runs at 70.75 in three matches.

"The Notts public might have to watch this space. We will keep our options open." Miller told BBC Radio Nottingham. "Yes, he was discussed, and he will continue to be discussed.

"Chris knows we're around the grounds all the time, and will keep in touch with how we're feeling. From his point of view, it's a matter of consistently putting in the performances."

England have been through a batch of keepers over the past 12 months, starting with Matt Prior this time last year before he was dropped in favour of Tim Ambrose and Phil Mustard has been given a one-day run. Meanwhile, James Foster was selected for the England Lions tour of India although Prior kept for the Lions against New Zealand last week.

With a new selection panel in place there is a feeling that there is a second chance for some players to impress and earn international honours. Read's Nottinghamshire team-mate Ryan Sidebottom, named England Player of the Year on Monday, benefited from such a move last summer. Although David Graveney was still the chairman of selectors at the time, Peter Moores had a significant say in his recall.

"With this new regime it's an open door," said Sidebottom. "If you are performing then you could get selected at any minute. Injuries come along and the more competition for places there is the stronger England will be."

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