Tremlett out of third Test

Birmingham - England fast bowler Chris Tremlett was ruled out of the third Test against India at Edgbaston because of a back injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Tuesday.

He has now withdrawn from England's 13-man squad and will continue with treatment ahead of the fourth and final Test, which starts at The Oval, his Surrey home ground, on August 18.

Tremlett's absence came as little surprise after a combination of hamstring and back injuries meant the tall quick missed England's 319-run second Test win against India at Trent Bridge.

That match saw Tim Bresnan, Tremlett's replacement, star with both bat and ball and it is doubtful that, even if he had been fit, the Surrey man would have made it back into the side at Edgbaston where the third Test is due to start on Wednesday.

England, concerned about Tremlett's fitness, had already taken the precaution of including Middlesex paceman Steven Finn in their squad.

Victory at Edgbaston will give England an unbeatable 3-0 series lead and see them replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table.