Ashes: Australia would pick Tredwell - Kent captain Key

James Tredwell has won one Test cap for England

Kent captain Rob Key says off-spinner James Tredwell would walk into the current Australia Test side.

Tredwell was left out of the England squad for the Ashes series, which the tourists lead 1-0 after an innings victory in the second Test in Adelaide.

Key told BBC Radio Kent: "They'd love to have a Tredwell, he'd be down on the teamsheet. They'd love our reserves."

"With the exception of Ricky Ponting he'd probably be the first man down on that list if he was an Australian."

Australia have already named four different spin bowlers in the three squads they have announced during the series.

Xavier Doherty held off competition from Nathan Hauritz and Steve Smith to play in the first two Tests, but he has now been dropped in favour of Smith and Michael Beer.

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If left-armer Beer, who has only previously played six first-class matches, makes his debut in the third Test in Perth on Thursday he will become the 10th different spin bowler to play for Australia since Shane Warne retired in 2007.

Tredwell, who played his only Test for England against Bangladesh earlier this year, has been included in the touring party for the one-day and Twenty20 internationals.

"With the spinners that the Aussies are bringing in they'd love someone like Tredwell or Adil Rashid," added Key. "It's the same with a lot of the batsmen or the seamers and it's the first time in my career it's been like that."

Key, who made his first-class debut in 1998, has played 15 Tests for England, including four matches on the unsuccessful Ashes tour of 2002/03.

"When I first started you could get any Aussie over," said the 31-year-old. "If he spoke with an Aussie accent he could do a job in county cricket.

"Now it's not the case at all and that's the problem with overseas players.

"Our system is strong. It's not as simple as plucking someone out of West Indian or Australian cricket and guaranteeing they'll do well. England's getting to the top of the tree, which is brilliant."