Suleiman
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Runs
- 16,959
- Post of the Week
- 2
Sunil Narine. Ravi Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja. Travis Head. Shadab Khan. Moeen Ali. Shahid Lala Afridi.
All are examples of players who were chosen initially for their bowling but either had or worked on batting skills to become international standard batsmen (bar Travis who I think is a batsman first, same with Moeen I think).
Is this now the standard for spinners? The 'Afridi' standard one might say, be a good spin bowler and also have talent with the bat?
I know Narine in particular had talent with the bat, was evident in the WI tour to Australia in 2011-2012. And because of the threat of getting caught chucking he must have worked on his batting in case bowling dipped, and he is doing a mighty fine job.
Imran Tahir seems to be an exception, but that is because he is far and above in a separate league as a LOI spinner.
What do you make of this paradigm in spinners being specialists to being quality batsmen as well?
It's a lot more prevalent with spinners than pacers.
All are examples of players who were chosen initially for their bowling but either had or worked on batting skills to become international standard batsmen (bar Travis who I think is a batsman first, same with Moeen I think).
Is this now the standard for spinners? The 'Afridi' standard one might say, be a good spin bowler and also have talent with the bat?
I know Narine in particular had talent with the bat, was evident in the WI tour to Australia in 2011-2012. And because of the threat of getting caught chucking he must have worked on his batting in case bowling dipped, and he is doing a mighty fine job.
Imran Tahir seems to be an exception, but that is because he is far and above in a separate league as a LOI spinner.
What do you make of this paradigm in spinners being specialists to being quality batsmen as well?
It's a lot more prevalent with spinners than pacers.
