England's Spin Limitations

Former England spinner Norman Gifford believes there is a lack of quality spinners in county cricket who could step in for Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.

Swann and Panesar were exceptional in the concluded Mumbai test and are also likely to play in upcoming Kolkata test

But what are spin backup if anything happens to either of two?????

Gifford told Press Association Sport: "Our performance (in the current series) has been brilliant but what slightly worries me is do we have the depth behind Swan and Panesar? I don't think we have at the moment.

"You've got young Danny Briggs, who has done well, you've got Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire, George Dockrell at Somerset, and the young Simon Kerrigan at Lancashire."But, when you look at the 18 counties, there are not many spinners playing in first-class cricket."He hopes youngsters will take inspiration from Swann and Panesar. Spinners play an important part in all three formats of game."They have been as effective as anyone. But I'm hoping the kids will look at Swann and Panesar and think 'there is an opportunity now if I work hard' and we will start to produce a few more spinners in county cricket."

Gifford believes the lack of spin-assisted wickets in county cricket is a factor.

He said: "When I first start, there were uncovered wickets and you'd go into a game with at least two spinners, an off-spinner and a left-arm spinner.

"You got wickets that turned as well, at places like Cheltenham and Swansea for example, so you had to have that balance in your attack - and we've lost that a little bit."Gifford has spoken with Panesar and had words of encouragement after he lost his place in the England set-up.
He said: "I've had a chat with Monty once or twice. He wasn't playing in Test cricket then and I said 'just keep going mate and your chance will come again'.

"I said 'we haven't got many spinners around and if we go to places where we need two, you will be in'."He had a great start and a bit of a lean time and people were knocking him. He's kept going and managed to get an opportunity now again and has got a lot of wickets."

Source : Espnstar.com