IND vs ENG: "They’re Complete Unknowns To The Rest Of The World" - Graeme Swann Backs Young England Spinners

Former spinner Graeme Swann has expressed confidence in England’s inexperienced Test spin attack for the five-match Test series in India. Graeme Swann stated that England’s spinners have the potential to dominate any batting lineup, especially on turning tracks.

Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar played pivotal roles in England‘s Test series victory under the captaincy of Alastair Cook in India in 2012. Swann secured 20 wickets at an average of 24.75, while Panesar claimed 17 wickets with an average of 26.82 during the series.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled a 16-member squad for the forthcoming Test series. Jack Leach will spearhead the spin bowling attack, featuring three comparatively inexperienced members – Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Shoaib Bashir.

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They Could Casily Roll Through Any Batting Line-up – Graeme Swann

Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Graeme Swann emphasizes the excitement surrounding the young bowlers in the squad. Swann stated that they could pose a significant threat to opposing batting line-ups.

“They can bowl, put it that way, and the guys that are on that trip in India, if conditions suit and they get the chance and they can handle the pressure of it, are genuinely exciting. Hartley and Bashir could be genuinely exciting on the sort of wickets that are going to be produced by India, or you think are going to be produced,” Swann said.

“They’ve been picked very much for that purpose and they could be brilliant. We saw things in Abu Dhabi that genuinely had me grinning like a Cheshire Cat and I’m very excited. They’re complete unknowns to the rest of the world so should they get the chance on the sort of pitch that we played India on last time in Ahmedabad, they could easily roll through any batting lin-eup in the world. I think it’s very exciting,” he added.

Swann served as a mentor to young spinners, including Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley, during a recent England Lions training camp in the UAE. Notably, both Bashir and Hartley have been selected in England’s senior squad for the upcoming red-ball series.

They’ve Just Not Got It – Graeme Swann

Graeme Swann emphasized that the current crop lacks extensive experience in international cricket. The former England spinner suggested a shift in the criteria for selecting spinners in the English team.

“They’ve not got the years of experience that spinners used to have, or used to be a prerequisite of getting in the England team, you had to have done it for years and years. Such is the game and such is the state of English spin over the last few years that they’ve just not got it,” Swann further added.

Tom Hartley made his international debut in an ODI match against Ireland last year, while Shoaib Bashir has played only six first-class matches. Rehan Ahmed, considered the second-most senior member in the spin department, has appeared in 13 first-class matches.

Also read: IND vs ENG: Graeme Swann Names The Biggest Threat For Team India In The Test Series vs England