In the past we've taken two or even three spinners (and once Tony Greig won a test match out there bowling off breaks !). Where are we going to find them?No matter how much we all love Monty his novelty is starting to wear a bit thin - his fielding and batting are still embarrassing and he's not really returning the sort of figures we expected; to say nothing about the appealing which is going to start costing him wickets if it isn't doing so already (umpires need to be cosseted not shouted at !).
So that's cause for concern with our no.1 who's next in line ?
Even though his fielding and batting continue to annoy me, I'm not in the "let's get on Monty's back" gang....have you seen who's top of the England bowling averages in the current series - you guessed it - Monty. And he's second only to Kallis overall. Click here for the England averages.
ReplyDeleteSwann is the obvious number 2 and I suspect that the England management will like the fact he can bat a bit and is a decent fielder. As I suggested when England went to Sri Lanka last winter, I still don't understand why England don't play Vaughan as an all-rounder when playing on the sub-continent, as his bowling is excellent. Judging by his diving catch in the outfield at Edgbaston, he doesn't seem to have too many fitness problems. I suspect pigs might fly before they adopt that strategy though!
With pretty much all the other bases covered with coaches galore, I think England need to employ a spinner coach, someone like John Emburey who could teach Monty variation and patience. This will also assist in reducing his appealing.
ReplyDeleteFor the second spinner I think England will go with Swann who will replace Broad in the side for this series.
I don't think there is anyone else, which is a shame. Maybe the captain will turn a few more overs in India?
Maybe it's time to turn to youth - how about Udal ?
ReplyDeleteIf they are looking for a spinner who has good ability with the bat, Adil Rashid from Yorkshire has to be an option. He has scored centuries for Yorkshire and impressed for England U19.
ReplyDeleteapparently Rashid's bowling isn't up to Test cricket and he's a better batting prospect than a bowling prospect, but that's only grapevine talk....I haven't seen him play ever (not having Sky!).
ReplyDeleteDoes that theory apply to wicket keepers where the keeping must meet test cricket standards, rather than batting ability.
ReplyDeleteI would give him a chance as having a leg spinner would offer something very different although India would be a hard place for the guy to be brought in for.
I think India would be the worst place to throw him in.
ReplyDeleteFrom all accounts when Rashid was selected last year to play for England Lions against India, he was torn apart by Tendulkar and co.
He was 19 or 20 then so you can't blame him for that.
ReplyDeleteI am sure Rashid will come good but he has struggled a bit this season. He hasn't scored the runs nor taken wickets before last week (a career best 7-for). I would be very wary of taking him yet. Another couple of years (with dry summers) and he'll be there........especially if he gets as many chances without really performing as the batsmen seem to.
Another 5-for for Adil today. If he can't bowl, tell me which other English qualified leggie has 2 5-ford! Saqlain doesn't count!
ReplyDeletebut Saqlain is now English, why doesn't he count?!
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about him. He's got to be in with a shout of touring this winter if England are happy to pick someone who's played Test cricket for another country....