Give us a twirl: England’s spin bowlers are turning heads in India

England’s 2-1 victory away to India in 2012 will stand the test of time. It was the first series win of Alastair Cook’s captaincy and, more remarkably, a first in India since 1984-85. This achievement was put into context, not just by that piece of history but the 4-0 defeat on the next tour in 2016.

The deciding factors in 2012 were Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, complementary finger spinners who offered different threats. Swann, an off-spinner turning it one way; Panesar, a left-arm orthodox bowler, the other. Both out-performed the home side’s twirlers, with 20 and 17 wickets, respectively.

That success was not so much viewed as a blueprint but the culmination of the careers of two of the country’s best modern spinners. Nine years on, England are aiming to recreate that magic with two bowlers at the early stages of their careers, supplemented by one who has carried the torch since 2013, when Swann and Panesar played the last matches of their careers. 

With Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, there is cause for optimism that a spin cupboard thought to be bare is now relatively well stocked. 

At 33, Moeen carries 181 Test wickets, as well as a dismissal strike rate of 60.6, greater than two of the three spinners above him on England’s all-time wicket-takers list. With Leach and Bess, former Somerset teammates (Bess moved to Yorkshire last year), Joe Root also has two cricketers three years into their international careers who average 30 and 33 respectively, their left and right threats accounting for 44 and 31 dismissals apiece. 

The trio started the year in Sri Lanka. And though Moeen was struck down by Covid-19, Bess and Leach combined for 12 and 10 wickets apiece to help secure a 2-0 series win. 

Repeating that trick in India will be tougher. The hosts are riding high off the back of a 2-1 series win in Australia, which has many touting them as the best team in the world, even though they currently sit second in the ICC Test rankings behind New Zealand. And when it comes to dominating teams at home, few do it better. 

But with three slow bowlers offering different skills, emboldened by what they have achieved so far and with the understanding of Root to provide them with opportunities and patience, there is quiet optimism around England.

Yours,

Vithushan Ehantharajah

Sports feature writer