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England vs Sri Lanka: To spin or not to spin?

Swann After losing in Kandy, England are now up against it to save the series when the Second Test kicks off in Colombo on Sunday.  And, if things weren't bad enough, Matthew Hoggard has managed to get a dose of back-knack and will play no part in the match; leaving a selection dilemma at the door of Peter Moores.  Does bring in Harmison as a straight swap?  Or does he bring in Graeme Swann?  Or does he tinker even further and bring in both Harmison and Swann?

Colombo demands that two spinners play: it is a hot, dry graveyard for pace (with all that hair insulating his head, I frankly fear for Ryan Sidebottom's health), so Swann must play in place of Hoggard.

Swann not only brings in a spinning option that proved its effectiveness in the recent one-day series, he also brings in batting savvy at number eight that, contrary to the rest of the tail, at least knows which way up to hold the blade.   This gives England a bowling attack of Sideshow, Anderson/Harmison, Monty, Swann; with Bopara, Collingwood and Vaughan taking the rest of the overs. 

A selection that gives greater variety in bowling and strengthens the batting line-up?  That'll do for me, but will it do for you?  What are your thoughts?

December 6, 2007 in England in Sri Lanka, 2007-08, General musings | Permalink | StumbleUpon Toolbar Stumble It!

Comments

Our four available bowlers best equipped to deny SL 600 runs in the match are: Sideshow, Broad, Swann and Monty. We don't know how Swann and Broad will fare, but we're pretty sure that Jimmy will go round the park and that Harmy is a busted flush.

Posted by: The Tooting Trumpet | 7 Dec 2007 16:34:23

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