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England Players County Form

I think that sums it up succinctly. He's not going to blow through teams but he's certainly someone who will pick up wickets, can hold up and end and is largely consistent.

He's not in the class of Lyon, but there'll not be many test sides with a better spinner than him at the moment.
I think rightly or wrongly England are looking for someone who can do more.

Problem is the ones they want to do more than Leach are not as good as Leach.

As agreeably he probably our best option.

It’s not that he not in the class as Lyon, it’s the fact he is not in the class as most first choice spinners for most countries if not all.

Tbf to Leach that’s not just him, that’s all of our spinners

As I said earlier nearly every country has a first choice spinner better than ours imo, which is a big concern
 
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As I said earlier nearly every country has a first choice spinner better than ours imo, which is a big concern
Not so sure that outside of Asia there are that many decent spinners. Lyon granted but not so sure Aussie's have a replacement for him now he's at the veteran stage. It's the pitches more than the players that's the problem. Yet it's interesting that the suggested alternatives to Leach are of Asian origin.
Get our prospective spin bowlers on an Asian diet 😀
 
Not so sure that outside of Asia there are that many decent spinners. Lyon granted but not so sure Aussie's have a replacement for him now he's at the veteran stage. It's the pitches more than the players that's the problem. Yet it's interesting that the suggested alternatives to Leach are of Asian origin.
Get our prospective spin bowlers on an Asian diet 😀
You make a fair point that there is not many world class spinners about outside Asia, not many at all, however I do think Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have a better first choice spinner than us and obviously Asia countries do as well
 
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Who play on harder truer pitches than in England and play more red ball in the height of their summer.
Yeah fully agree, it’s really difficult for us to produce quality spinners for a number of reasons don’t disagree in the slightest.

Never a less that doesn’t chance the fact and point that I am making that all major cricketing nations currently imo have a better first choice spinner than England.
 
Yeah fully agree, it’s really difficult for us to produce quality spinners for a number of reasons don’t disagree in the slightest.

Never a less that doesn’t chance the fact and point that I am making that all major cricketing nations currently imo have a better first choice spinner than England.

None of this has got to do with you cherry picking and twisting things, some bizarre post about him clearly not being trusted by Somerset as he didn’t bowl one day, now it’s spinning loads

He has 500 wickets for them or someit ffs

Just be honest and stop trying to pretend otherwise
You make a fair point that there is not many world class spinners about outside Asia, not many at all, however I do think Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have a better first choice spinner than us and obviously Asia countries do as well

Mitchell S took more than 3 wickets in an innings for NZ for the first time last year
 
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Yeah fully agree, it’s really difficult for us to produce quality spinners for a number of reasons don’t disagree in the slightest.

Never a less that doesn’t chance the fact and point that I am making that all major cricketing nations currently imo have a better first choice spinner than England.
Have they? Lyon admittedly but which others outside Asia? Have I developed selective amnesia?They all produce one occasionally as England did with Swann but can't think of any at present other than Lyon. Harmer hasn't played for SAffers for 2 years.
 
Have they? Lyon admittedly but which others outside Asia? Have I developed selective amnesia?They all produce one occasionally as England did with Swann but can't think of any at present other than Lyon. Harmer hasn't played for SAffers for 2 years.
I think this is what makes debates about sport on boards like this interesting difference of opinions and views.

In my opinion I think Lyon (Australia) Maharaj (South Africa) and Santer ( New Zealand) are currently at this time a better first choice spinner than any of the options we could choose.

I am not saying I am necessarily right or wrong just that is my view.
 
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I think this is what makes debates about sport on boards like this interesting difference of opinions and views.

In my opinion I think Lyon (Australia) Maharaj (South Africa) and Santer ( New Zealand) are currently at this time a better first choice spinner than any of the options we could choose.

I am not saying I am necessarily right or wrong just that is my view.
Let's not re-write history on Santner mind.

What a time of it he had in India and against England last year. But he could easily revert to type which is a poor/average spinner.
 
I think this is what makes debates about sport on boards like this interesting difference of opinions and views.

In my opinion I think Lyon (Australia) Maharaj (South Africa) and Santer ( New Zealand) are currently at this time a better first choice spinner than any of the options we could choose.

I am not saying I am necessarily right or wrong just that is my view.
Maharaj, Leach and Santner in that order for me although little to choose between all three and I'd class none of them as a top spinner.
Just been saying on the other thread how composed Rew looks for his age, and his younger brother is apparently a very good player too
Couple of 4 day Lions v India A games early June - ideal opportunity for likes of Rew, McKinney, Baker, Hogg. Far too early to consider them for full Test side.
Also Ali, Ahmed
Ideal for young spinners to bowl against best young Indians.
 
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Rew scores his 10th first class ton to deliver victory away at Essex. Only 21. Impressive

(Crawley has 11 ;))
As much as Smith is far more suited to how we want our keeper to play.

Defs a shame for Rew he's playing now instead of while back. As he's definitely test class. But he's not really got any chance under McCullum for a while.
 
Let's not re-write history on Santner mind.

What a time of it he had in India and against England last year. But he could easily revert to type which is a poor/average spinner.
Yeah not pretending he great but genuinely think he as good if not better than ours at this current time such is our weakness in that area.

And of course he offers a lot more batting wise than Bashir or Leach
If you picking a side right now and you have to choose between Santner or any of our spinners would go for him
 
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As much as Smith is far more suited to how we want our keeper to play.

Defs a shame for Rew he's playing now instead of while back. As he's definitely test class. But he's not really got any chance under McCullum for a while.
I think he showed though in the blast finals day last season he can adapt his game.

Played a brilliant knock in the semi final against Surrey to win the game after Somerset were in big trouble.

I would definitely have him as one of the next in should Smith be rested or injured.
 
Went to a Durham U13 pathway trial not long ago. The vast vast majority were seamers. A handful of spinners, that let's just say were a bit nerdy and no where near as ready to play big boy cricket as the seamers. So the fact remains no-one really wants to be a spinner in this country. Its not a glamorous role. Even though in my opinion it is a very important position in the bowling attack for any cricket team.

A young lad I know has just switched to legspin from seam up at the age of 11 as his team were full of quailty seamers (he was 3rd best out of 6) So it can be done. Personally I believe that this lads fast bowling pedigree (4years worth) has helped the transition to legspin. As his actio, pace and fizz looks way better than his peer spinners who have been spinning it all their lives (a couple of year at that age).

The real question is why are spinners not seen as a glamorous role in this country? Why are there so many fast bowlers? Are we seeing more spinners in this country from Asian descent as they historically revere their spinners back in their ancestral home? I'm not sure. But we need to do something. Glad Durham are on it and trying to do something about it.


One young local young spinner to keep an eye on. Harry Simpson at Chester le Street. Great leggie and a big bat. Only 14 or 15 too iirc.
 
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An updated list of wickets from spinners so far in the CC.

Leach 19 wickets @ 28.17
Dawson 11 wickets @ 31.27
Kellaway 9 wickets @28.33
F Ahmed 9 wickets @31.77
Tazeem Ali 8 wickets @35.75
Lawrence 8 wickets @48.62
Hartley 7 wickets @55.85
Carson 6 wickets @60.66
M Parkinson 5 wickets @28.40
Bess 5 wickets @42.60
R Ahmed 2 wickets @56
Bashir 2 wickets @152

With 3 of the top 5 being 21yo and younger that shows there is talent out there. We know England will continue to pick Bashir for the next 12 months but there are other spinners actually playing and taking wickets who will be putting pressure on him.
 
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Rew scores his 10th first class ton to deliver victory away at Essex. Only 21. Impressive

(Crawley has 11 ;))

Looks a talent but can’t see him getting in any time soon with our middle order options
An updated list of wickets from spinners so far in the CC.

Leach 19 wickets @ 28.17
Dawson 11 wickets @ 31.27
Kellaway 9 wickets @28.33
F Ahmed 9 wickets @31.77
Tazeem Ali 8 wickets @35.75
Lawrence 8 wickets @48.62
Hartley 7 wickets @55.85
Carson 6 wickets @60.66
M Parkinson 5 wickets @28.40
Bess 5 wickets @42.60
R Ahmed 2 wickets @56
Bashir 2 wickets @152

With 3 of the top 5 being 21yo and younger that shows there is talent out there. We know England will continue to pick Bashir for the next 12 months but there are other spinners actually playing and taking wickets who will be putting pressure on him.

We consistently pick spinners too young in this country, trying to reinvent the wheel

Is kellaway the one who bowl with both arms or someone else
 
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