'Gentle giant' Tremlett fires up England pace attack

The towering England seamer, returning to the Test arena for the first time in three years, takes three for 61 during Australia's first innings in Perth.

Chris Tremlett celebrates the wicket of the Australian opener Phil Hughes in his first over back in Test cricket.

PERTH // Chris Tremlett, the towering England seamer, was pleased to belie his "gentle giant" reputation with a fiery three-wicket haul that took the wind out of Australian sails on day one of the third Ashes Test.

Previously dismissed as timid, branded "a bit soft" by his former Hampshire captain Shane Warne and ignored by selectors for more than three years, the 6'7' (2.04m) Tremlett was recalled to the side following an injury to Stuart Broad.

He seized the opportunity in style, thundering in to the greentopped Waca wicket to bowl the opening batsman Phillip Hughes with his sixth ball and having Michael Clarke caught behind in his fourth over.

Tremlett also enticed the all-rounder Steve Smith to cough up an easy catch to Andrew Strauss and finished with three for 61 as Australia were dismissed for 268.

"That was the most special game I've played in so far, it was an amazing atmosphere and a very enjoyable day," the softly-spoken Tremlett told reporters after England's Strauss and Alastair Cook guided the tourists to 29 for no wicket at stumps.

"When I woke up this morning I was very nervous but after I bowled the first over and got the wicket I felt at ease.

"People can say what they want — if I'm a gentle giant or whatever — but when I get the ball in my hand I try my hardest and try to be aggressive and positive with the way I bowl."

It was a long road back into the Test side team for the 29-year-old Tremlett, who played his last against India in 2007.

He took his career-best figures of three for 12 during the series but struggled with injuries and inconsistency amid suggestions that he lacked the fire in his belly to break into England's pace attack.

"Obviously it's taken a bit of time to get back to where I want to be. It was frustrating in between but obviously the hard work has paid off to get that opportunity," said Tremlett.

"At the moment I feel fitter than ever and stronger than ever and just a lot more consistent than I used to be.

"I think I've been desperate to play any test really but I guess obviously the opportunity has come about playing in Perth and I think it shows that this wicket has bounced and happily proved to be the right selection."