England paceman Tremlett has back op

England fast bowler Chris Tremlett has undergone back surgery following the injury which cut short his participation in the Test whitewash by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Tremlett flew home before the second Test, having gone wicketless in the first, after adding just one appearance to his record since being ruled out of the Trent Bridge Test against India more than five months earlier.

A statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the 6ft 8in Surrey seamer's surgery.

"ECB today (Thursday) announced that the Surrey and England pace bowler Chris Tremlett had undergone a back operation at a London hospital last night.

"Tremlett was forced to return home early from England's tour of UAE last week after a scan revealed a bulging disc in his back.

"The player's rehabilitation programme will be closely supervised by the England medical team in conjunction with Surrey CCC and a date for his return to cricket will be agreed in due course."

Tremlett, 30, has taken 49 wickets in 11 Tests, including 17 in three matches during England's 2010/11 Ashes victory in Australia. Pakistan sealed their first ever whitewash of England with a 71-run win in the third and final Test in Dubai on Monday.

AFP