Spinners today

Shane Wanre’s done with international cricket; Murali’s probably has just a few more years in him; what is the cricketing world’s spinning situation?

Australia – Australia have had some very good spinners for a long long time. All the way from Benaud to Macgill. Warne recently retired from test mach cricket. He opened up a spot for a fellow leg spinner Stuart MacGill in tests. The one day spinner for Australia is Bradley Hogg. MacGill’s strength is the amount of turn and drift he gets. Sometimes he is not able to control this drift resulting in some worries. He often bowls mediocre deliveries wide outside the off stump and it was one such delivery that gave India the winning runs in Adelaide in early 2004. MacGill and Hogg are both already 36 and Australia have some thinking to do or have they already done it?

Bangladesh – The three left arm spinners have been the talk of the town this World Cup. Abdur Razzak and Saqibul Hasan are future prospects for Bangladesh. Mohaammad Rafique, who often bowled 35-40 overs in single innings of test matches, is the old warhorse for the former Indians. He does not have as many years ahead of him as his counterparts but Bangladesh do not have problems with that even after the tragic death of Manjural Islam Rana, another left arm spinner. The only potential problem is that they need variety.

England – Mudhsuden Singh Panesar is England’s prominent spinner. But he really needs to work on his batting and fielding to keep his place in the side. If I were an English selector, I’d play both Panesar and the more experienced and reliable Ashley Giles. The last prominent non left arm spinner they had was probably Robert Croft. There have also been other people like Gareth Batty, etc, but England need spinners.Word is also spreading that Saqlain Mushtaq may just represent England in 2008.

India – India’s much celebrated spinner, Harbhajan Singh is not in the best of form now-a-days (now-a-days referring to a longer period than it usually does.) Bhajji is a spinner who seems to be flighting the ball, but some how manages to beat the batsmen for flight VERY rarely. India has lost its tradition of spin and will have to regain it as it is one area where Indians can perform easier than the others. Kumble’s out of ODIs but is still probing in test matches. Who’s next? Will it be Piyush Chawla?

New Zealand – Daniel Vettori is the best left arm spinner in the world for lack of left arm spinners (he is a very good one but just not in the same class as a Bedi or an Underwood.) New Zealand also have Jitan Patel but still lack spinners. They probably don’t require them with all the other variety in the team. Meanwhile, yet another spinner, Paul Wiseman, who (unfortunately) had to bear the brunt of being hit around the park in 98-99 by Tendulkar, has not played for NZ since 2005. He’s playing with Durham for 2007.

Pakistan – Pakistan’s primary spinner is Danish Kaneria. Kaneria is extremely important for Pakistan mainly in the longer version of the game. The advantage for Pakistan is that they have a lot of part time spinners who can be useful and they also have Mushtaq Ahmed as their bowling coach (for now at least.)

South Africa – South Africa have had problems with spinners for a long time. Nicky Boje recently retired and Johan Botha was picked up for an illegal action. But the Proteas do have the services of Paul Harris. The Phil Tuffnel like Harris caused a lot of bother for the Indian batsmen on the recent South African tour. Graeme Smith is developing gradually into a part time off spinner. But SA still need match winning spinners.

Sri Lanka – Murali Murali Murali. Sri Lanka have no problems with their spin department at present with Mutthaiah Muralidharan and Malinga Bandara. Murali used to bowl useful overs along with his partner Kumar Dharmasena. After the latter’s retirement, he just took all the pressure on himself and worked beautifully. Sri Lanka also have spinners like Jayasuriya and Upul Chandana.

The West Indies – Although they play with no full time spinner after the mysterious disappearance of the tall off spinner Omari Banks, Chris Gayle has taken up that role pretty well. They also have Sarwan who can occasionally bowl leg spin. But no Lance Gibbs in the team.-BS