Is it fair to say that since you retired, England have not had a world-class off-spinner who can bowl menacingly in Tests?
England have struggled with spinners since I finished. They’ve had some good bowlers, though. Moeen Ali is a vastly under-rated off-spinner. He could have taken more Test wickets. The main issue is the way spinners are captained and looked after in England. It is diabolical.
A lot of captains in English cricket don’t understand how a spinner works, how his mind needs to be during a game, how his field setting needs to be. I was lucky I had captains who let me take onus and control. Andrew Strauss was exceptional. He let me have my own fields and would come up with suggestions every now and again. I was quite a gregarious, confident character so that suited me.
In the past, the English way was to always be very, very negative… as a captain, to not start with attacking fields, to force a spinner to just go one an over and then gradually bring in fielders if the pressure builds. I always thought it was the other way around: as a finger spinner, you should build the pressure immediately. Your first 10-15 balls to a batsman are your most dangerous, that is when the batsman hasn’t read you.
Jack Leach has just taken 10 wickets at Headingley, and praised captain Stokes and coach McCullum. Are things changing?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?
From swooning over the twirling foot of Richarlison the other day, to fretting over the ankle of Neymar, it is back to business for Brazil. Gone is the exultation to dance and express themselves.
Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134
American hospitality major Marriott International — the group with the largest number of branded hotel rooms in India at about 26,000 — has drawn up very ambitious growth plans for the country.
India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field
Take 20-year-old Shivam Negi for instance. A member of the national blind football team, Negi along with three other NIEVPD students is ardently following the matches by listening to live commentary.
SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc
‘MF Investments Reducing Disposable Incomes Of Indians’
Fury's Ground Xiro
Xi's zero-Covid policy has angered ordinary Chinese as never before. A dangerous moment for the state
Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye
The sportswear manufacturer has also launched a probe into his conduct.
Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance
Chinese protesters have turned to blank sheets of paper to express their anger over Covid-19 restrictions.
Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told
Dietary Habit Not Patient’s Fault: Consumer Body
Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said Gujarat will host a “grand Olympics” sporting event in the future.
Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal
He also urged government employees in the state to back AAP while promising implementation of the old pension scheme for them by January 31, 2022.