When England chose to start the series against India in Hyderabad with three spinners, former England captain Nasser Hussain feels that his country did not choose a well-balanced lineup. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium will host the opening game of the five-match series on Thursday, January 25.
Nasser Hussain made the observation that even renowned spinner Shane Warne, who took 34 wickets in nine Test matches played in India, wasn’t particularly successful in Indian conditions. But he supported the visitors to go on with Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley, two inexperienced spinners.
For the opening game in Hyderabad, England has selected three spinners in their XI: Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Jack Leach.
Shane Warne didn’t get that many wickets and much success in India – Nasser Hussain on England’s playing XI for the first test
Due to their preferred spinner Jack Leach’s lack of match practice, former England captain and broadcaster Nasser Hussain wasn’t overly impressed with the spin options. Leach, the left-arm spinner, last participated in a one-off Test match against Ireland. During the previous England tour to India, he amassed 18 wickets in four Tests.
Before the first Test, Nasser Hussain spoke with Sky Sports:
“You look at other countries that try to hit India with spin historically Shane Warne didn’t get that many wickets and that much success in India or be it against the Fab Five and a different Indian batting lineup.”
“I would like a more balanced bowling attack, but I guess with Rehan Ahmed’s second Test match, hartley debuted. Leach not bowling for a long time, they just feel they need three because, looking at that surface, it’s going to turn,” Nasser Hussain continued.
You’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers – Nasser Hussain on James Anderson not being named in England’s playing XI
Nasser Hussain highlighted the inexperience of the England spinners, as of the three, only Leach has experience playing in India. Hartley has not yet made his red-ball debut for England, while Ahmed has only played in one test last year in Pakistan. Star batter Joe Root is also capable of rolling his arm over when needed.
“Inexperience as well has led to the four spinners option. You’ve got Leach, like you said hasn’t bowled since June-July. You’ve got the two inexperienced lads in Hartley and Rehan Ahmed and you’ve got Joe Root. You think if it would’ve been Swann or Panesar as an example, you could’ve gone with a more balanced side,” Hussain said.
Mark Wood is England’s only fast bowler; thus, James Anderson was left out of the starting England XI for the match that begins on Thursday. Nasser Husain was not pleased with England’s decision to bench James Anderson, who had taken 34 wickets in 13 Test matches in India.
“One seamer, if you lose the toss, say tomorrow and it’s not doing that much and you’re starting with spin, you’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers in Jimmy Anderson, arguably, our greatest ever bowlers in my eyes who has a pretty good record in this subcontinent,” he added.
They think he’s kind of Axar Patel equivalent – Michael Atherton on Tom Hartley being compared with Axar Patel
Ahead of the first Test match, former England captain Michael Atherton noted that England have compared left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who is making his debut for England.
“But, there’s a lot on the other spinners. Hartley, a debut cap. They think he’s tall and he’s fast. They think he’s kind of Axar Patel equivalent, we shall see. He’s very inexperienced in first class never mind in international terms. And then Rehan Ahmed, who’s had that start when you had that Test in Karachi a year ago,” he stated.
Hartley is among the most inexperienced spinners in Lancashire, having taken 40 wickets in 20 first-class matches. However, Ahmed’s solitary Test victory to date came in Pakistan, where he claimed seven wickets in his debut match.
When it spins, he bowls fire into the pitch- Michael Atherton lauded Joe Root’s bowling ability
Michael Atherton praised Joe Root’s abilities with the ball. He thought back to the previous time the off-spinner had recorded figures of 5/8 against India, which included Rishabh Pant’s wicket. In India, Root has taken eight wickets overall in 62 overs.
In the same video, the former cricket player turned commentator was cited as saying:
“It’s an amazing team. There’s going to be a lot on the spinners. There are four of them effectively with Joe Root, who I don’t think you should discount. You go back to Ahmedabad in 2021, what did he get? 5/8 or something in six overs. So, when it spins, he bowls fires into the pitch and thinks like a batter. So, never underestimate or discount on Joe Root,”