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[Seniorplayer]

tredwell is a good pro youre right. and what we need is a good pro on these tracks.Look at the way the Pakistan spinners bowl, something happens if you land it on the spot most times.

We really really miss Swanny, I've said before the guy won us match after match and is sorely missed.

And good shout on Tuffers, I know his time has past but forget the comic image, he could bowl superb on his day.

the cupboard aint got much in it at the moment, on this trip Patel and Rashid look the best, bit hard to say thou as Patel has only played one match. I think Ali is going backwards which is a real shame

Yes Tuffers is a good call he was a match winner on his day he only played around 40 tests though seem to recall England management at one time considered his fielding to be a luxury they couldnt afford.

[kdale6]

the way Ali has been managed by England won't have helped either - picking him as an opener will have meant him spending a lot less time focusing on his bowling. If you want him to be your front line spinner for all conditions then sod his batting, he's got a natural talent in that which will keep him handy down the order, and get him just bowling bowling bowling.

He's clearly able to put revs and movement on the ball but it's astounding how little control he seems to have

[northernboy1987]

Malik has just announced Test retirement in the middle of the game?!

[Seniorplayer]

Why not ask Shane Warne if he's interested in coaching England now he and Cook get on.

[northernboy1987]

Why not ask Shane Warne if he's interested in coaching England now he and Cook get on.

Love this idea but I get the feeling he's too busy whoring himself out around the world haha

[ppccopener]

the way Ali has been managed by England won't have helped either - picking him as an opener will have meant him spending a lot less time focusing on his bowling. If you want him to be your front line spinner for all conditions then sod his batting, he's got a natural talent in that which will keep him handy down the order, and get him just bowling bowling bowling.

He's clearly able to put revs and movement on the ball but it's astounding how little control he seems to have

good point, i'm trying to think of another frontline spinner asked to bat anywhere near the top 6 let alone opening the batting.
Could'nt even give a guess....Hick wasn't a front line spinner-just a part timer

[Manormanic]

Ray Illingworth? DB Close? Sir Garfield Sobers? Richie Benaud?

[edge]

Tony Greig

[ppccopener]

well Sobers bowled spin,seam and pace in his day as well as being a high class bat at around 18 years old so as comparisons go it's perhaps not an even contest 
He is arguably(no argument if you ever go to Barbados) the greatest cricketer ever.
don't know where Benaud batted but I was thinking more modern day cricketers.

What I am trying to say is I can't think of another player being asked to the role England have asked Ali to do.

I agree with everyone else on the forum, he's a 7 or 8 in Tests.....

[uknsaunders]

Dilshan did a pretty good job of opening the batting and bowling spin.

[Seniorplayer]

Saw Sir Gary hit 6 sixes in one over

[ppccopener]

Dilshan did a pretty good job of opening the batting and bowling spin.

yes good one, Tests or one dayers thou?

[ppccopener]

Saw Sir Gary hit 6 sixes in one over

some going that in the time he played   1964-68, somewhere round there?

[roco]

plus he was not the main spinner more of a part timer who filled in when needed

Ali is being asked to be the main spinner

[uknsaunders]

yes good one, Tests or one dayers thou?

Dilshan did it in all formats. He was a better batsman than Ali and his spin was more accurate. In England I guess he was used as a 2nd spinner to Murali/Herath, in asia a 3rd spinner. Still bowled as many overs as Ali I imagine.