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| Will Swann be able to revive England's luck? |
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| Pitched By Subhangi Sinha | |||||||
| Thursday, 20 November 2008 | |||||||
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AUSTRALIA found out the pain of not having a specialised spinner or for that matter not playing one in India. The moment they brought on Jason Krejza in the final Test in Nagpur, the off- spinner showed
why he should have been played earlier by scalping 12 wickets, though he was expensive at the same time. Losing the first two matches, the English should have known that the grassless nature of Indian pitches tends to help spinners and Graeme Swann, a flighty offbreak bowler, would have been more than just a useful addition to their artillery. “ The tracks obviously suit spin bowling more than in other parts of the world. Having done well in Sri Lanka last year, where conditions are similar, I hope to play a big role in the ODI’s and the Test matches here,” said Swann. Following two heavy defeats, England are now poised to include Swann as a specialist spinner in Kanpur. Skipper Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores have decided to turn to Swann, who was a fixture in the ODI side until the emergence of his county teammate Samit Patel earlier this summer. Patel could be the man to make way, unless England choose to omit one of their ineffective pace bowlers. Stephen Harmison and James Anderson have taken just three wickets between them in the two matches. Harmison has conceded 125 runs in the series, and Anderson has yet to bowl his full quota. “ It’s frustrating for everyone in the England camp just for the fact that we played some really good cricket at the back end of the summer in England and we haven’t been able to hit the ground running here,” he added. Swann has played in 12 ODI’s but has never played against India. “ The Indians have marvellous skills against spin and that does add pressure, but bowling in international cricket is actually more fun because you're always bowling at better players,” Swann said. “ But the key to my debut in this tour is starting well. Do that and it sets up the whole trip.” The English have failed to realise how their tormentor- inchief Yuvraj Singh has been often bamboozled by quality spinners. Adding Swann may just be the key for them to keep the series alive. “ Because I haven’t played in the first two games, I am in quite a unique position and should I get in the eleven tomorrow which I hope to do, I can walk out as if it is a fresh series. “ The series in Sri Lanka last year was a five- match series. That is a good length series for a spin bowler, doesn’t get too tired, and doesn’t get worked out by the batsmen. Hopefully I can squeeze my way into the team for tomorrow and then see.” Meanwhile, Essex's Ravi Bopara was unable to train at Green Park because of a stomach complaint and left- arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom is experiencing some discomfort in his lower back. Scan results on Sidebottom's injury are inconclusive and England will monitor him over the next few days before deciding on a further course of action. Elsewhere, Stuart Broad has escaped serious punishment after disputing a decision during the second ODI. Broad was summoned to see ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama after he questioned Russell Tiffin's decision to award a wide for a bouncer. Mahanama did not deem it serious enough to impose a fine, but gave Broad a stern lecture.
3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."Newer news items:
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