Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 

Spin must make a comeback

05/09/2009 2:16 PM

Gough Whitlam triggered a change of government in 1972 with a campaign titled "It's Time" and it may also be time for Australia to make a groundbreaking change to its selection policy for its one-day side.

Since Brad Hogg's retirement from international cricket, Australia has only recently started regularly playing a spinner in one-day cricket, choosing instead to focus on its strengths - its pacemen.

But if this year's ICC World Twenty20 is a portent of things to come, the value of spinners in the limited-overs game will continue to increase.

And particularly so as the 2011 World Cup will be played on the subcontinent (India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) which has traditionally been a haven for spin bowlers.

The importance of spin was again on show in the opening one-dayer at The Oval and both sides are expecting it to play a large part in this series as England's wickets reach its driest stage at the end of its summer.

Although the pitch was nowhere near as dusty or dry as that produced for the fifth Test it was still a deck where slow bowlers bowled with great effect, as shown by Adil Rashid, Graeme Swann and Nathan Hauritz.

Rashid, a 21-year-old leggie with a tremendous future, and Swann conceded only 66 runs from their 17 overs and Hauritz picked up wickets at important times.

Pakistan mesmerised opposition line-ups during the Twenty20 world championship with Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal's mysterious spin.

And it received its biggest challenge from Sri Lanka, who was inspired by the great Muttiah Muralitharan and heir apparent Ajantha Mendis.

Even during Australia's reign earlier this decade when it boasted a dream pace battalion, not to mention Shane Warne, it had trouble in India and Sri Lanka, where it lost series under Steve Waugh.

At a time when its quicks are still finding their feet on the world stage, it would be stubborn, if not arrogant, for Australia to believe pace can win it a fifth World Cup on the subcontinent.

Although yet to establish himself as a Test regular, Hauritz - with 19 wickets at 24 in his past 13 ODIs - should play in almost every limited overs game in the short to medium term if available.

One tweaker, though, will not be enough at the World Cup. But Australia's current spin stocks are bare.

Arguably, England - despite its batting woes - is better placed to succeed in 2011 so long as Swann holds his one-day form and Rashid improves as expected.

Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey have failed to come along and Bryce McGain will be 38 by the World Cup.

Victoria's Jon Holland played in the recent Australia A series but cannot command a place in his state side.

The onus is then on Cameron White to improve his once dangerous leg-spin, which collected him 170 first-class wickets - few of which have come in the past four years.

At this stage of the World Cup cycle, now is as good a time as any.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
Submit a comment
Name
Email
Comment

Latest Cricket Headlines

 
 
Symonds stars again
Symonds stars again
Cricket
22/03/2010 6:44 AM
Andrew Symonds starred with bat and ball as the Deccan Chargers defeated the Delhi ...
 
 
Tigers impress against England
Cricket
22/03/2010 6:16 AM
 
Yuvraj sparks Kings XI
Cricket
22/03/2010 6:16 AM
 
Outright sweetens title
Cricket
21/03/2010 7:03 PM
 
Aussies way ahead
Cricket
21/03/2010 6:42 PM
 
Defeat looms for NZ
Cricket
21/03/2010 4:05 PM
 
Victoria claims Shield
Cricket
21/03/2010 3:11 PM
 
Bollinger strikes again
Cricket
21/03/2010 1:45 PM
 
Bushrangers closing in
Cricket
21/03/2010 12:34 PM
 
Aussies skittle Kiwis
Cricket
21/03/2010 11:07 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Our Say

 
 
Angus Morgan
Circus aside, it's show time
Angus Morgan
Now, finally, the focus can turn to the main event - the first Test between New Zealand ...more
Paul Gough
White's logical decision nearly backfires
Paul Gough
There is an old saying in cricket - if you win the toss bat first and if you are in doubt ...more