James Tredwell is delighted to have switched India for Africa as he contemplates the possibility of making his England debut at Centurion on Sunday.

The Kent off-spinner discovered just three days ago that he was required by his country as cover for the injured Graeme Swann on their tour of South Africa. Yet it was only at the start of this week that Tredwell was contemplating a return visit to India - where he also played cricket last winter.

Tredwell said: "The Kent coach got a little bit of a sniff, a warning that I might be required. I was actually organising a trip to India for the start of December, so they had to tell me pretty sharpish so that I didn't put my passport in for a visa. But we've got there in the end."

The 27-seven-year-old gave every indication in the Supersport Park nets on Saturday morning that he is intent on cashing in on his opportunity.

Bowling in tandem with young leg-spinner Adil Rashid at captain Andrew Strauss among others, Tredwell took advantage of his stock delivery turning away from the left-hander.

Strauss noted before the washed-out first match at The Wanderers on Friday that an off-spinner might be a very viable option against several left-handed South Africans.

Tredwell gave him more food for thought on Saturday - but is not getting carried away just yet.

"That wicket was a bit damp, nice to bowl on," he reported.

"But it's coming out nicely - I've been doing a fair bit in the indoor school at Canterbury."