Greame Swann exudes confidence - will India spin out England at home

People talk and some talk too loudly…..  ‘To talk through one’s hat’ is a phrase which means ‘to talk nonsense’; especially on a subject that one professes to be knowledgeable about but in fact is ignorant of.

Greame Swann has been a successful spinner – he has spoken of his belief that  India's slow-bowling attack does not possesses the mystery to exploit England's recent struggles with spin on the subcontinent. Admittedly, England is not good in playing quality spin - they were whitewashed 3-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates at the start of the year; though they could salvage some respect in a drawn series in Lanka.   They have played Saeed Ajmal poorly – Ajmal took  24 wickets in three Tests. 

Cricinfo quotes Swann as saying that Dubai was not really the subcontinent, that wicket was very unique in the sense that it was very skiddy and span as well. India's wickets are more traditional, more what people are used to, so I would be very surprised if that happened again.  "Secondly, we were bowled out by a mystery spinner that batsmen could not pick. India are not really blessed with a mystery spinner like that."  Does he have a real point there !

Indian spin attack is now in the hands of Ravichandran Ashwin and leftie Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh assuming that he plays – or would only 2 of the 3 play.   Ashwin has had a heady start with 49 wickets at 26.63, still  Swann contends  that he does not fit the "mystery spinner" description may give England optimism of improving their concerning statistics against slow bowling.

Perhaps India should present them with Mumbai dustbowls of old and try to bowl them out in shorter durations, hurtin their ego first. There is nothing wrong in doctoring wickets to suit the home team, Australia, England, Newzealand, West Indies have all done that in the past and Asian Nations cannot be singled out for criticism if they resort to that.  It is but natural to exploit the weakness of the opposition that feed to their strength. 

Motera, has provided fodder for the visitors and sometimes proved to be batsmen paradise – this time a square turner totally devoid of grass should greet them and the inevitable spin onslaught will prove to be the just right start for the  first of four Tests beginning at  Ahmedabad on November 15.  England is brimming with confidence and may not be easy to beat – but our players must demonstrate their capabilities at least on Indian wickets and outsmart Englishmen and ensure that India win the Test Series preferably by 3-0, which will do Indian cricket a lot good.

Remember, this series we are without the ever dependable Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman  - it is time for Gambhir and Sehwag to fire; followed by Virat Kohli taking the mantle; Cheteshwar Pujara cementing his place.  If only Sachin freely flows and does not exhibit the circumspect character that he gets into a shell, it will be immeasurable pleasure for Team India.

Looking forward to a good Series – meaning more wins for India

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.