The England spin question

Interesting discussion on the Sky verdict show, looking at the options (or lack of them) - they were getting to the stage of wishing we had someone even capable of doing the job Ashley Giles did in 2005 and actually seriously suggesting a Gareth Batty recall   Bob Willis at least doesn't agree, describing all the candidates as "useless" and suggesting a five seamer attack.

They didn't touch on looking for a candidate from overseas, which could be our best bet other than getting Swann to learn to bowl left arm!

Part of the problem is clearly Cook's reluctance to trust a spinner who can't keep it tight, so can't see how Kerrigan for example can ever be a success under his captaincy. The panel thought his horrible action would always hold him back at this level in any case, though they're clearly keen on keeping him in the setup. I suspect we'll see him at some stage this summer, he will get hammered again and thrown on the scrapheap perhaps for good... then the five seamer attack with two of Stokes, Woakes and Jordan might become a reality.

Is it time for Monty's fifth comeback?

Before you answer, consider that he has just been dropped by Essex for bowling terribly.

Is Derek Underwood still alive?

Pfffft. Surely Dean Cosker is the answer.

Monty has been dropped by Essex (again!) this time for poor form. I suspect that we won't see him in England colours again.

Some observers keep talking up Adam Riley - and his stats certainly look impressive. But he's in his second season FFS! Swanny had six years to develop his craft before he played a test.

Ok, here comes the health warning - I'm going to mention the 'B' word. Sorry, but I've just got to put it out there - Gareth Batty!!!! There I've said it (and, to be fair, his name cropped up on the verdict).

Right, he's a gobby, yorkie prat who, in eras gone by, would have had a few games for some Club and Ground team; but right now, given that we need spinner to give the side 15 overs or so a day without getting tanked.

Or is the best alternative just to play five seamers of which three can bat? We're really risking burning out Jimmy and Sturat at the moment with their workload, which is a real issue with the tightly packed schedule for this series.

Doesn't help that the all seam attack is samey-o'clock. Right arm, 80-85mph. As are the back up in the squad.

Where the variety at?

Maybe KP should start polishing up his off breaks. Gave them a bit of a tweak if I recall correctly.

Harry Gurney?

Bressie to just bowl cutters

Cook would trust him to bowl 45 overs a day ....and wouldnt care its going for runs

Poor form aside, seriously, whatever is happening to Monty off the pitch? 

I keep hearing or reading coy allusions from commentators, writers etc but not a hint of what's actually going on.  Has he taken to mainlining heroin? Looking for trade in public bathrooms?  Exposing himself to the Queen morning and evenings at Buckingham palace? What?

Sure shows what a difference a fit Chinny made to the England XI.

furriner wrote:Poor form aside, seriously, whatever is happening to Monty off the pitch? 

I keep hearing or reading coy allusions from commentators, writers etc but not a hint of what's actually going on.  Has he taken to mainlining heroin? Looking for trade in public bathrooms?  Exposing himself to the Queen morning and evenings at Buckingham palace? What?

Aside from the urinating on nightclub bouncers incident (I assume you've heard of that proud moment for the Panesar family), I think the impression is that Monty's life's on a bit of downward spiral. His marriage went south and he's become party Monty, bombed out at Sussex due to his attitude and seemingly going the same way at Essex, who offered him the chance to get his act together only to be rewarded with "timekeeping issues", skipping team meetings and general poor form - and that final one's the kicker. All these sides, England, Sussex, Essex, will put up with party Monty til the cows come home, as long as he's getting results on the pitch.

But he's not.

Seems a bit of a mess in Montyworld right now.

That's very sad.

Apparently these are the options, from the very mouth of the ECB national lead spin bowling coach, Peter Such (!): "Simon Kerrigan has made some improvements to his game and we're looking to build him back up to a stage where he can perform in the future.

"Adam Riley is tall, he gets good shape on the ball. He's learning, he's developing and he will be a talented spin bowler moving forward.

"Scott Borthwick is a very fine all-round cricketer - he bats, he bowls, he fields. He has had injuries this year. He just needs to play, to bowl and to develop. Leg-spin is the most difficult art to master but I'm sure he'll get there.

"Moeen Ali is a very talented off-spin bowler. He gets a lot on the ball, he spins it hard. The more he bowls, the better he'll get and he'll get a better understand of his own game."

Read 'em and literally weep. Two batsmen, a total rookie and Simon Mehrrigan.

Actually, those assessments seem quite soberly and fairly worded, relatively low on the necessary BS.

Rashid been dropped into the quicklime, then?

Someone mentioned Gareth Batty. F*ck me dead. Incredible.

Brass Monkey wrote:Someone mentioned Gareth Batty. F*ck me dead. Incredible.

It was me, sorry. Just don't know what came over me. I feel dirty, oh so dirty.

Cheers Dello.

Looks like Kerrigan FFS will be added to the squad for Lord's.

beamer wrote:Looks like Kerrigan FFS will be added to the squad for Lord's.

Is that the new version of an OBE?

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:Looks like Kerrigan FFS will be added to the squad for Lord's.

Is that the new version of an OBE?

A few of our recent players have both after their name...

Yeah, good luck with that.

Swann was left to his own devices in the county game for six years before he got another chance with England, there's a lesson there. I would put Riley and Ravi Patel on ice: and pick Batty and Cosker for the tour to the West Indies