Read wants job for keeps

By Jamie Lillywhite

A successful international cricketer does not have much time to paint the ceiling or tend to the garden.

Read is capable of some powerful hitting late in the innings

Any home improvements at Chris Read's St Albans residence will have to be taken care of by his wife because Read will not be there until next spring.

That is if England can survive a formidable group in the ICC Champions Trophy and follow their exploits of 2004 by progressing to the semi-final stage in India.

But Read, who regained his England place from Geraint Jones this summer after a 16-month exile, is relishing the prospect of a major international campaign, followed only days later by another in the Ashes tour, even though schedules are dependent on results.

"It's a tough one because we won't really know if we're going to be coming back or not," Read told BBC Sport before taking five catches in a warm-up win against a local XI in Jaipur on Thursday.

"There are three or four days potentially where should things not go according to plan in the ICC we'd come back prior to the Ashes but we've been told to pack for both and take it from there.

"Logistically it's quite tough because there are different kits you need for the ICC so it's hard work getting everything together."

The amiable Nottinghamshire gloveman immediately dismissed suggestion that the England team would not be averse to an early exit in India to give them more time to prepare for the Ashes.

You don't need any incentive playing for England Chris Read

"No way," he insisted. "There are some variations in the squads anyway, but we have our eye firmly fixed on the matter in hand - which is the ICC. We can turn our attentions to the Ashes once that's finished.

"How can you lump a five-Test series with different personnel in with a one-day tournament? In the public eye all talk is of the Ashes but the 14 in India are only really concerned with the Champions Trophy."

Read, who spent time exploring India with his wife last winter having completed 10 days with Jamie Dalrymple and Michael Yardy in the Academy, went on: "A new country on tour throws up new challenges.

"India is a wonderful place but as for how much we'll be allowed to see given security constraints remains to be seen."

He travels to India this time as England's only keeper, but is fully aware he is not guaranteed a place in the long term.

"It's a nice position to be in but there's normally only one wicket-keeper in a one-day squad so it's not unusual and it comes down to performing well day in and day out."

And there are some new colleagues too, with no team-mates remaining from Read's debut in 1999, and only Marcus Trescothick, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison still around from his last appearance in the Caribbean.

Stumping Inzamam-ul-Haq to complete the victory at Headingley

"Teams evolve," Read said. "I walked into a dressing room with young fellows. Monty Panesar and Alastair Cook were setting the world alight and it was great to see. There was a good mood in the camp."

Read also ruled out any rumours of a rift with coach Duncan Fletcher, often portrayed in media circles as a difficult man to work with.

"My relationship hasn't really changed; I've always got on pretty well with the management," he said.

"I always like to get on with things on my own a little bit and do things that suit me but it's been nice to work with some new coaches.

"I have enjoyed working with Mark Garraway, who has taken over as analyst.

"He has got a strong background in wicket-keeping and he's a nice addition and so too is [assistant coach] Matthew Maynard."

Read is also unperturbed by being overlooked for a central contract, as England chose to monitor the wicket-keeping position further by employing him on a match-by-match basis.

"Even from my own point of view it's hard to justify, having played two Tests and a handful of one-dayers to say I'm going to be England wicket-keeper in both forms of the game for the next 12 months," the 28-year-old said.

"I don't think they were in a position to say that, but it's not disheartening. You don't need any incentive playing for England."