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First Test Squad Announced & North Confirmed


East Riding Mackem said:
I like leggies per se - just more upsides when it pays off. A real shame Rashid wasn’t used more back in the day.
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Yeah I agree. They will always go for a few; but if they can bat (like Rehan can, and Rashid could) then it makes them a compelling player at 6-8.

When Stokes retires there isn’t an obvious player to add balance, I think Rehan could be that one.
 
Test cricket just doesn't like leggies the world over. Even Rehan hadn't buggered off to the IPL doubt they'd have picked him.

Kuldeep is arguably India best spinner but he's third/fourth choice behind Jadeja/Axar/Washington.

England treatment of Bashir is just mental. Back the guy to the hilt for the Ashes when he should have taken a spell in 2025 prior to the Ashes. Then turf him out for a clownshoe spinner for the Ashes only to bring him back at the first opportunity. Doesn't make any sense.

He's found some rhythm for Derbyshire but he should have been allowed a lot more time in the CC before England honours again.

Despite the naysayers I think there is a good spinner there. He bowled plenty well in 2024. 17 at 33 in India and 15 at 36 in the English summer. Hardly bad numbers for a kid that's not even played a full season of CC.
 
mackembhoy said:
Test cricket just doesn't like leggies the world over. Even Rehan hadn't buggered off to the IPL doubt they'd have picked him.

Kuldeep is arguably India best spinner but he's third/fourth choice behind Jadeja/Axar/Washington.

England treatment of Bashir is just mental. Back the guy to the hilt for the Ashes when he should have taken a spell in 2025 prior to the Ashes. Then turf him out for a clownshoe spinner for the Ashes only to bring him back at the first opportunity. Doesn't make any sense.

He's found some rhythm for Derbyshire but he should have been allowed a lot more time in the CC before England honours again.

Despite the naysayers I think there is a good spinner there. He bowled plenty well in 2024. 17 at 33 in India and 15 at 36 in the English summer. Hardly bad numbers for a kid that's not even played a full season of CC.
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Leg spin just isn’t that good unless you’ve got a pitch which is giving assistance or you’re a generational bowler like Warne imo.

Our spinner’s role at home is almost always someone you want to bowl 15-20 overs and hold down an end to rest the quicker lads. And quite rightly Rehan can’t be trusted to do that job yet, and isn’t enough of a threat on non helpful pitches to justify picking him. His batting would be useful but not worth picking him on that if we have the likes of Robbo and Gusso who can both hold a bat in the lower order.
 
mackembhoy said:
Test cricket just doesn't like leggies the world over. Even Rehan hadn't buggered off to the IPL doubt they'd have picked him.

Kuldeep is arguably India best spinner but he's third/fourth choice behind Jadeja/Axar/Washington.

England treatment of Bashir is just mental. Back the guy to the hilt for the Ashes when he should have taken a spell in 2025 prior to the Ashes. Then turf him out for a clownshoe spinner for the Ashes only to bring him back at the first opportunity. Doesn't make any sense.

He's found some rhythm for Derbyshire but he should have been allowed a lot more time in the CC before England honours again.

Despite the naysayers I think there is a good spinner there. He bowled plenty well in 2024. 17 at 33 in India and 15 at 36 in the English summer. Hardly bad numbers for a kid that's not even played a full season of CC.
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That’s at least partly true because the other 3 are good with the bat?
 
chunkyshanhawk53 said:
That’s at least partly true because the other 3 are good with the bat?
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If you ask Indian fans they reckon Kuldeep is the best spinner.

Jadeja has been playing as a top order bat for a while. Defs an issue that the best spinners don't always get a chance due to the lack of batting.

Ajaz Patel took a 10fer for NZ in India then barely got a look in for them for a few years. With Phillips etc favoured as part timers that could bat.

See Will Jacks in the Ashes too. Just a pointless pick really, would always prefer to have the best spinner than a bits and pieces cricketer.
 
Aidan11 said:
We dont seem to be able to produce good spinners now. I can't remember any very good ones since Tuffnell (dont say Panesar).
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I know hes not exactly liked as a bloke, but Swann was world class. Loved watching him bowl.
East Riding Mackem said:
I’m just not sure Bashir is ready & Lords isn’t usually spin friendly. Granted there aren’t loads of options but I’d have lent towards Crane or LPW. Rehan ahead of Bash of the two picked.
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With you on LPW. Big fan of his
 
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