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Jeetan Patel appointed as England spin consultant [Update #93]
- Thread starter Abdullah719
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...-south-africa-lords-test-day-four-live-score/
I learnt a lot [in the winter] speaking to Saqi [Saqlain Mushtaq, England's spin coach]. It made things a lot clearer for myself and I'd like to dedicate this to him : Moeen Ali
I learnt a lot [in the winter] speaking to Saqi [Saqlain Mushtaq, England's spin coach]. It made things a lot clearer for myself and I'd like to dedicate this to him : Moeen Ali
Abdullah719
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England’s Moeen Ali hails Saqlain Mushtaq role in South Africa success
Manchester: Moeen Ali has paid tribute to the “amazing” Saqlain Mushtaq for his role in helping the England all-rounder enjoy a record-breaking Test series against South Africa.
Ali, a 30-year-old off-spinner and left-handed batsman, became the first man in cricket history to score more than 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a four-match Test series during the course of England’s 3-1 victory over the Proteas.
England great Ian Botham, whose aggressive on-field personality was in marked contrast to that of the softly-spoken Ali, performed a similar feat twice during triumphant home Ashes campaigns in 1981 and 1985 — but both of those contests were six-Test affairs.
Ali has often been regarded, even by himself, as a “second spinner” when the likes of Hampshire left-armer Liam Dawson have been in the England side.
But under the guidance of England spin-bowling coach Saqlain, a former Pakistan off-spinner and star of a Surrey side that won English County Championship titles at the turn of the century, Ali’s bowling has improved markedly.
“Saqqy has been amazing for me in terms of helping with my fields, helping me understand my bowling a lot more than I had done previously — and I think that has been the biggest difference,” said Ali after bowling England to a 177-run win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford with more than a day to spare on Monday.
“Little things like that can make a big difference,” explained Ali, who ended the match with two wickets in two balls for an innings return of five for 69 after finishing England’s victory in the third Test at The Oval with a hat-trick.
“Before, I just bowled, [and] didn’t really think too much,” added Ali, who started the series with a 10-wicket haul in England’s first Test win at Lord’s.
“I let the captain set the field. I would say I set the field a lot more throughout this series.”
The South Africa series saw Ali, who showed his batting class with an unbeaten 75 not out in England’s second innings at Old Trafford, cement his position of fourth in the International Cricket Council rankings for Test all-rounders.
“I feel a lot more confident in my ability,” he said.
“I feel like it was building... I had been batting well over the last year, and the bowling was coming.”
Joe Root, whose first series as England captain ended with a decisive victory, has been delighted by Worcestershire star Ali’s progress.
“He is definitely improving all the time,” said Root.
“I hope it’s not just a one-off series, and he can go on now and do it again and again.”
England coach Trevor Bayliss was confident Ali would leave “nothing to chance” in his quest to become truly “world-class”.
“Maybe the psychology is working,” Bayliss told reporters of the ‘second-spinner’ comments.
“There’s no doubt he’s our No. 1 spinner and maybe he will become world-class.
“He has work to do but, knowing Mo, he won’t leave anything to chance because he’s one of the hardest workers in the nets,” the Australian added.
As for Ali equalling a feat achieved by Botham — and in two fewer Tests — Bayliss said: “Most people are astounded [with that statistic].
“He does it in a quiet manner, he just gets the job done and is a great team man.”
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis had no doubts about Ali’s quality.
“He’s a real dangerous cricketer and every captain would love to have him in their team,” said du Plessis.
“You often think he’s not going to take wickets on the day and then you look up and he’s got three or four, he’s just brilliant and a real dangerous batter.
“He’s a very good spinner and under-rated.”
http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/e...ushtaq-role-in-south-africa-success-1.2070978
Manchester: Moeen Ali has paid tribute to the “amazing” Saqlain Mushtaq for his role in helping the England all-rounder enjoy a record-breaking Test series against South Africa.
Ali, a 30-year-old off-spinner and left-handed batsman, became the first man in cricket history to score more than 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a four-match Test series during the course of England’s 3-1 victory over the Proteas.
England great Ian Botham, whose aggressive on-field personality was in marked contrast to that of the softly-spoken Ali, performed a similar feat twice during triumphant home Ashes campaigns in 1981 and 1985 — but both of those contests were six-Test affairs.
Ali has often been regarded, even by himself, as a “second spinner” when the likes of Hampshire left-armer Liam Dawson have been in the England side.
But under the guidance of England spin-bowling coach Saqlain, a former Pakistan off-spinner and star of a Surrey side that won English County Championship titles at the turn of the century, Ali’s bowling has improved markedly.
“Saqqy has been amazing for me in terms of helping with my fields, helping me understand my bowling a lot more than I had done previously — and I think that has been the biggest difference,” said Ali after bowling England to a 177-run win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford with more than a day to spare on Monday.
“Little things like that can make a big difference,” explained Ali, who ended the match with two wickets in two balls for an innings return of five for 69 after finishing England’s victory in the third Test at The Oval with a hat-trick.
“Before, I just bowled, [and] didn’t really think too much,” added Ali, who started the series with a 10-wicket haul in England’s first Test win at Lord’s.
“I let the captain set the field. I would say I set the field a lot more throughout this series.”
The South Africa series saw Ali, who showed his batting class with an unbeaten 75 not out in England’s second innings at Old Trafford, cement his position of fourth in the International Cricket Council rankings for Test all-rounders.
“I feel a lot more confident in my ability,” he said.
“I feel like it was building... I had been batting well over the last year, and the bowling was coming.”
Joe Root, whose first series as England captain ended with a decisive victory, has been delighted by Worcestershire star Ali’s progress.
“He is definitely improving all the time,” said Root.
“I hope it’s not just a one-off series, and he can go on now and do it again and again.”
England coach Trevor Bayliss was confident Ali would leave “nothing to chance” in his quest to become truly “world-class”.
“Maybe the psychology is working,” Bayliss told reporters of the ‘second-spinner’ comments.
“There’s no doubt he’s our No. 1 spinner and maybe he will become world-class.
“He has work to do but, knowing Mo, he won’t leave anything to chance because he’s one of the hardest workers in the nets,” the Australian added.
As for Ali equalling a feat achieved by Botham — and in two fewer Tests — Bayliss said: “Most people are astounded [with that statistic].
“He does it in a quiet manner, he just gets the job done and is a great team man.”
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis had no doubts about Ali’s quality.
“He’s a real dangerous cricketer and every captain would love to have him in their team,” said du Plessis.
“You often think he’s not going to take wickets on the day and then you look up and he’s got three or four, he’s just brilliant and a real dangerous batter.
“He’s a very good spinner and under-rated.”
http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/e...ushtaq-role-in-south-africa-success-1.2070978
mak36
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PCB missed a trick by not signing up Saqi to work at the NCA- the team needs a decent offie (preferably one who can also bat so they can replace Hafeez).
ECB should appoint Saqlain as a full-time spin coach and take spin bowling department seriously. There's no point making these short-term appointments, Moeen clearly is benefiting from Saqlain's guidance.
Saqlain himself has bowled in England for god knows how many times, knows the pitches and conditions and how to bowl in them.
Graeme Swann spoke on TMS about how he loved having Mushtaq Ahmed as spin coach just for the emotional support but wished he could be there full-time.
Saqlain himself has bowled in England for god knows how many times, knows the pitches and conditions and how to bowl in them.
Graeme Swann spoke on TMS about how he loved having Mushtaq Ahmed as spin coach just for the emotional support but wished he could be there full-time.
WhenSultansBowled
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PCB are a joke.
Nice move by ECB tho. They are unbiased professionals unlike PCB bosses.
mak36
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I wouldn't quite go that far. The ECB aren't infallible and to be honest they have just as much cricket politics.
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Saqlain on his way to join England squad as Spin Coach.
mak36
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What a job he has done with England's spin twins, Moeen in particular.
Atherton/Nasser confirmed Saqi had made a few changes to Moeen's actions; his bowling arm is a lot tighter to the body and he has worked on his body position so that Moeen has a stronger base from which to bowl. Has worked a treat and Moeen has comfortably outbowled Ashwin.
It's a shame the PCB have failed to make use of his services, despite his repeated offers of help.
Atherton/Nasser confirmed Saqi had made a few changes to Moeen's actions; his bowling arm is a lot tighter to the body and he has worked on his body position so that Moeen has a stronger base from which to bowl. Has worked a treat and Moeen has comfortably outbowled Ashwin.
It's a shame the PCB have failed to make use of his services, despite his repeated offers of help.
Abdullah719
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Moeen credits Saqlain after picking nine wickets against India
Making a comeback in a decisive match against India, England allrounder Moeen Ali picked up nine wickets and earned the man of the match award.
During the post-match ceremony, Moeen credited his mentor Saqlain Mushtaq for helping him in the training. He attributed his tremendous performance to the Pakistani legend.
When asked about the improvement in his bowling, Moeen said, “I’ve backed myself for a while, took a lot of confidence from bowling in county cricket, working with Saqlain.”
In return, the 41-year-old coach, who picked 208 wickets for Pakistan in Tests, praised Moeen for his terrific bowling. “Many congratulations to everyone at England Cricket. Very Proud of you all the way you played. Moeen Ali extremely happy with your performance. Once you believe it you can achieve it,” he tweeted.
In August last year, Moeen had paid a tribute to the ‘amazing’ Saqlain for his role in helping him enjoy a record-breaking Test series against South Africa.
“‘Saqqy’ has been amazing for me in terms of helping with my fields, helping me understand my bowling a lot more than I had done previously – and I think that has been the biggest difference,” said Moeen, crediting Saqlain for his advice after claiming 25 wickets in the four-match series.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...ain-after-picking-nine-wickets-against-india/
Making a comeback in a decisive match against India, England allrounder Moeen Ali picked up nine wickets and earned the man of the match award.
During the post-match ceremony, Moeen credited his mentor Saqlain Mushtaq for helping him in the training. He attributed his tremendous performance to the Pakistani legend.
When asked about the improvement in his bowling, Moeen said, “I’ve backed myself for a while, took a lot of confidence from bowling in county cricket, working with Saqlain.”
In return, the 41-year-old coach, who picked 208 wickets for Pakistan in Tests, praised Moeen for his terrific bowling. “Many congratulations to everyone at England Cricket. Very Proud of you all the way you played. Moeen Ali extremely happy with your performance. Once you believe it you can achieve it,” he tweeted.
In August last year, Moeen had paid a tribute to the ‘amazing’ Saqlain for his role in helping him enjoy a record-breaking Test series against South Africa.
“‘Saqqy’ has been amazing for me in terms of helping with my fields, helping me understand my bowling a lot more than I had done previously – and I think that has been the biggest difference,” said Moeen, crediting Saqlain for his advice after claiming 25 wickets in the four-match series.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...ain-after-picking-nine-wickets-against-india/
Pete Rose
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I wonder what happens to ex Pakistani players when they have to work in a Pakistani team Managment vs being hired somewhere else. I have seen saqlain on local tv doing the same tired tripe that all bitter ex players do. Perhaps they leave their ego at the door for certain paymasters
Imagine teaching things to players like Umar Akmal and Shahzad.
Abdullah719
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Saqlain Mushtaq gets extension as England spin consultant
Pakistan spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq, who was a part of England’s World Cup-winning squad’s support staff, has been rewarded with a 55-day extension which will cover the entire Ashes series.
Saqlain told PTI that he will be working with the English team as a spin consultant. England won the World Cup on superior boundary count after the summit clash against New Zealand ended in a tie in both the regulation 50 overs as well as the Super Over.
“It was great to see England winning the World Cup after such a pulsating final. The victory can be put down to great handling by the head coach, Trevor Bayliss, and great camaraderie among the players,” Saqlain said.
The 42-year-old off-spinner, who bagged a total of 496 Test and one-day wickets for his country, has never been engaged by the Pakistan Cricket Board to work on the support staff of the Pakistan team.
“I am always available to work for the Pakistan team and players whenever the Pakistan board approaches me,” Saqlain said.
The PCB had hired him for a few weeks before the 2015 World Cup to correct the bowling action of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal but he has never been given a long-term assignment.
Saqlain said England had worked very hard for the World Cup success in the last few years.
“The English players are very close to each other and they are constantly supporting each other and helping each other out even the guys who are not in the playing eleven on a given match day,” he said.
Saqlain has also been part of the West Indies squad support staff, which won the World T20 Cup.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-consultant/story-RvPMO6IkMdQj8uFBvJJqXK.html
Pakistan spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq, who was a part of England’s World Cup-winning squad’s support staff, has been rewarded with a 55-day extension which will cover the entire Ashes series.
Saqlain told PTI that he will be working with the English team as a spin consultant. England won the World Cup on superior boundary count after the summit clash against New Zealand ended in a tie in both the regulation 50 overs as well as the Super Over.
“It was great to see England winning the World Cup after such a pulsating final. The victory can be put down to great handling by the head coach, Trevor Bayliss, and great camaraderie among the players,” Saqlain said.
The 42-year-old off-spinner, who bagged a total of 496 Test and one-day wickets for his country, has never been engaged by the Pakistan Cricket Board to work on the support staff of the Pakistan team.
“I am always available to work for the Pakistan team and players whenever the Pakistan board approaches me,” Saqlain said.
The PCB had hired him for a few weeks before the 2015 World Cup to correct the bowling action of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal but he has never been given a long-term assignment.
Saqlain said England had worked very hard for the World Cup success in the last few years.
“The English players are very close to each other and they are constantly supporting each other and helping each other out even the guys who are not in the playing eleven on a given match day,” he said.
Saqlain has also been part of the West Indies squad support staff, which won the World T20 Cup.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-consultant/story-RvPMO6IkMdQj8uFBvJJqXK.html
ataullah
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Saqlain should work at NCA and groom off spinners with legal doosra which will be unplayable in next world cup
Pete Rose
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Maybe goes against the grain, but i think his role in England's spin revival is over-rated. I suppose he is a good coach for teams that have average spinners that need to get better, but not necessarily for teams with better spinners.
Anyhow, my recollection of his work with pakistan is taking money while not being to fix serial chucker Ajmal's bowling action.
Nonetheless we should expect to see lots of sighing about Pakistan losing out on his expertise: which is as amusing to me when ppl talk about Imran Tahir being the one that got away.
Anyhow, my recollection of his work with pakistan is taking money while not being to fix serial chucker Ajmal's bowling action.
Nonetheless we should expect to see lots of sighing about Pakistan losing out on his expertise: which is as amusing to me when ppl talk about Imran Tahir being the one that got away.
shah_1
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Didn’t Ajmal clear the new action? Yea he was useless with it but can’t blame him for that.
We do need a spin coach to work with Shadab and Umer Khan. What does Azhar Mahmood or any other fast bowling coach know about spin bowling
Pete Rose
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Ajmal can bowl with a straight arm on his own. you dont need a coach for that.
Fell out with the PCB - expenses and accommodation issues.
Majid Khan
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He’s still only 42, that’s younger then Misbah at retirement age , He could still be playing for a spinner - it’s a tragedy that such a great bowler more or less stopped playing still in his 20s - what a bowler he was at his best.
Justcrazy
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I consider him the best spinner all time in OD.
SensiblePakFan
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Good for him.
I saw him playing club cricket towards the end of his playing career, he could barely walk. It was actually quite sad to see.
silent ischemia
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His knees bothered him a lot. I once met Adam Hollioake at Edgbaston; his captain at Surrey for few years. I asked him who was the best Pakistani player he played alongside at Surrey and his answer was Saqlain without any hesitation. Not an easy answer as Adam had played with Waqar, Azhar Mahmood and Muhammad Akram. He said Saqlain won him quite a few County Championships and that he would buy a house after each triimph and name them after Saqlain like Saqlain 1,2 and 3. He further said once he was showing him his houses and Saqlain in crutches at that time would look at his knees and said " well Adam I m happy for you but my knees took a real battering at that time "
A great cricketer to say the least
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The England Men’s cricket team has appointed Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel as spin bowling consultant for the five-match IT20 series against New Zealand starting at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on November 1.
Patel, the native-born New Zealander, who is contracted to Cricket Wellington has been given dispensation to miss the first three matches of the Plunket Shield season. He will join up with the England squad when they arrive in Christchurch next week.
The 39-year-old off-spinner has played 24 Tests for the Black Caps. He ended this year’s Specsavers County Championship with Warwickshire taking 64 wickets at 26.75.
His role with England has the full support of New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Wellington and will develop Patel’s ambitions of becoming a coach once his playing career comes to an end.
Patel, the native-born New Zealander, who is contracted to Cricket Wellington has been given dispensation to miss the first three matches of the Plunket Shield season. He will join up with the England squad when they arrive in Christchurch next week.
The 39-year-old off-spinner has played 24 Tests for the Black Caps. He ended this year’s Specsavers County Championship with Warwickshire taking 64 wickets at 26.75.
His role with England has the full support of New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Wellington and will develop Patel’s ambitions of becoming a coach once his playing career comes to an end.
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The England Men’s cricket team has appointed Jeetan Patel as spin bowling consultant for the tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively.
Patel, who was part of England’s successful five-match IT20 series victory over New Zealand last month, has announced his retirement from Cricket Wellington. He will play his last match for the Firebirds in the Super Smash against Central Stags at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday December 18.
He will join the England party on December 24 in Centurion ahead of the first Test at Supersport Park starting on Boxing Day against the Proteas.
The 39-year-old will also be part of the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour, which includes three ODIs and three IT20s.
He will also play a significant role during England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka starting in March 2020 when Joe Root’s side plays a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Patel, who is contracted as an off-spinner with English county side Warwickshire, ended this year’s Specsavers County Championship with Warwickshire taking 64 wickets at 26.75.
Patel, who was part of England’s successful five-match IT20 series victory over New Zealand last month, has announced his retirement from Cricket Wellington. He will play his last match for the Firebirds in the Super Smash against Central Stags at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday December 18.
He will join the England party on December 24 in Centurion ahead of the first Test at Supersport Park starting on Boxing Day against the Proteas.
The 39-year-old will also be part of the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour, which includes three ODIs and three IT20s.
He will also play a significant role during England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka starting in March 2020 when Joe Root’s side plays a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Patel, who is contracted as an off-spinner with English county side Warwickshire, ended this year’s Specsavers County Championship with Warwickshire taking 64 wickets at 26.75.
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The Viper
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Jeetan Patel will no longer be joining the England set-up this summer. His visa only permits him to work as a player in the UK. He will, therefore, continue to play for Warwickshire this summer in the Vitality Blast competition.
The England men’s team will consider all options before appointing a spin bowling consultant for the remainder of this season.
The England men’s team will consider all options before appointing a spin bowling consultant for the remainder of this season.
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As the England coach with a specialism in spin bowling, Jeetan Patel could have been forgiven for assessing his charges for the Pakistan series and invoking the words of Archie MacLaren, the captain who saw his squad for the 1902 Old Trafford Test and cried: “My God! Look what they’ve sent me.”
Jack Leach is the sole spinner with Test caps (29 to be precise), Rehan Ahmed is an 18-year-old leggie three first-class matches into his career, and there are two batting all-rounders in Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone. The pitches in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi are yet to be seen but in terms of slow bowling experience, England appear lighter than a bag of Maltesers.
Such concerns are not the way in the uber-positive regime fostered by Brendon McCullum, however. Patel, the head coach’s fellow New Zealander, is cut from similar cloth and before the tour the former Warwickshire captain – a past critic of English cricket’s relationship with spin – sat down to discuss his task.
“I don’t think it will rag in Pakistan,” says Patel. “They have to bring their seamers into it. But it will probably spin enough, before the games accelerate at the back end. The beauty of our selection is we have guys who will be aggressive and Leachy, who can operate in a number of different ways.
“I’m really excited for our spinners on this tour – and don’t forget Joe Root. Some say he’s reluctant but, if so, that was when he was captain and had a lot going on. Now he’s not, he becomes a real option.”
Leach first, with whom Patel has struck up a close relationship since entering the setup in 2019. The 31-year-old is five Test wickets away from 100 and after struggles in Australia and the Caribbean has thrived under the captaincy of Ben Stokes. A maiden 10-wicket Test haul at Headingley in June highlighted the progress.
Could Leach have had more success in the Caribbean? Yes. But the work put him in a great place and you’ve seen him grow.
“The Ashes in Australia came after some tough Covid years,” Patel says. “Leachy’s role was very specific and they bullied him. He got knocked. He got to the Caribbean and bowled a lot. Could he have had more success? Yeah. Did he get it right all the time? Probably not. But the work put him in a great place to just bowl all summer and you’ve seen him grow. He was striving to be someone else before, but I said: ‘You’re Jack Leach. Chill out. You can be you and succeed.’
“As he saw where we were going under Stokesy, he became the kid at Somerset who just bowled.
“It’s become about winning small moments. As soon as you become a Test spinner, people talk of two runs an over in the first innings, five-fers in the second. But that’s old school. It’s not like that any more. It’s about exploiting nuances.”
At Patel’s suggestion, Leach’s training is primed to coincide with bowling to Root and Stokes in the nets – the best player of spin and the most aggressive – when before he was “a bit gun-shy”.
“Talking about technique was almost masking where he was at,” says Patel. “But 15 months later he is a lot more trusting in himself – he lights up the changing room. He knows how he can contribute.
“A lot of spinners get told what to do – get more side-on, be stronger through the crease – and they don’t ask why. When I reached my 30s, I had the answers to those questions and I really took off. Leachy is 31 and has come on really quickly in this respect.”
This point rather strikes to the heart of spin bowling in England, where patience is often in short supply. Patel rejects the idea that the cupboard is bare, however, rather there is a “10-year gap” between seasoned spinners and those in their infancy. Though exacerbated by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid opting not to tour, Patel is calm about the pair’s decision as “their service to England has been immense”. He adds: “Would I want them in Pakistan? 100%. But it’s not the case and we move on to the next.”
Next right now are three newcomers in Jacks, Livingstone and Ahmed. The two all-rounders will be encouraged to bowl aggressive lines in shorter spells. Sympathetic fields will be essential, he says, but a penchant for fast scoring with the bat and fielding prowess may offset their economy. Pakistan will attack both but this creates opportunities.
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Ahmed is more of a wildcard. Patel hoped he would at least travel as a net bowler, having himself benefited from a tour of Sri Lanka with New Zealand aged 19. Ahmed is a precocious talent, with a devilish googly.
“Rehan’s white-ball skills are seriously high-end: he bowls at a good lick, a tough length, spins it both ways and is not very tall, so the ball isn’t in the air long and it’s hard to get down the pitch. But he still relies on people getting out, as opposed to getting people out.
“We got him in during the ODIs this summer, to see him interact with Rash and Mo. Rash immediately said: ‘This guy is good. He needs to play red-ball cricket because he can bowl three different balls on the same length.’”
As an off-spinner with a fast bowler’s mentality, Patel caused a stir in 2015 when he claimed his English equivalents did not train hard enough. The recent high-performance review showed spinners bowl 22% of domestic overs in England – the lowest among the top eight nations – but Patel insists game time is not the only time to learn.
As a player, I bowled loads in the nets and 40 minutes before every day. It’s not overs or balls, it’s time
“That stat is disappointing,” he says. “I just think the pitches are a bit **** – too soft – and do loads for the seamers. Old Trafford is probably one of the best, Edgbaston and the Oval, too. But elsewhere they’re too soft.
“But [English spinners] don’t bowl enough outside of matches. As a player, I bowled loads in the nets and 40 minutes before every day. It’s not overs or balls, it’s time – how long are you on your feet? I’d had a couple of beers when I made those comments [in 2015] but even if it was a batting day I’d always bank bowling time so when the crunch came, I didn’t want the ball taking off me. That’s key.
“One of my other bugbears is talk of conditions. Captains and coaches get caught up with whether it will rag and ignore spin if they don’t think it will. But spin is about more than that – it always has a role to play. Stop playing the conditions, play the game.”
This no-nonsense approach is among what encouraged McCullum to keep Patel on during a recent trim of his staff.
On his former teammate’s approach, Patel says: “Brendon wants guys to realise that they’re at the top – Test cricket – and it should be as fun as possible. It’s not a chore, it’s not a ball-ache. You will never regret the time you played Test cricket. The way we operate now, jeez, I’d love to play for England.”
Had the 42-year-old’s parents remained in the UK, where they met back in the day, and not emigrated to Wellington, this may have proved the case. As it is, England’s spinners – for all their lack of experience – at least have strong backing in their corner.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ay-we-operate-now-id-love-to-play-for-england
Jack Leach is the sole spinner with Test caps (29 to be precise), Rehan Ahmed is an 18-year-old leggie three first-class matches into his career, and there are two batting all-rounders in Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone. The pitches in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi are yet to be seen but in terms of slow bowling experience, England appear lighter than a bag of Maltesers.
Such concerns are not the way in the uber-positive regime fostered by Brendon McCullum, however. Patel, the head coach’s fellow New Zealander, is cut from similar cloth and before the tour the former Warwickshire captain – a past critic of English cricket’s relationship with spin – sat down to discuss his task.
“I don’t think it will rag in Pakistan,” says Patel. “They have to bring their seamers into it. But it will probably spin enough, before the games accelerate at the back end. The beauty of our selection is we have guys who will be aggressive and Leachy, who can operate in a number of different ways.
“I’m really excited for our spinners on this tour – and don’t forget Joe Root. Some say he’s reluctant but, if so, that was when he was captain and had a lot going on. Now he’s not, he becomes a real option.”
Leach first, with whom Patel has struck up a close relationship since entering the setup in 2019. The 31-year-old is five Test wickets away from 100 and after struggles in Australia and the Caribbean has thrived under the captaincy of Ben Stokes. A maiden 10-wicket Test haul at Headingley in June highlighted the progress.
Could Leach have had more success in the Caribbean? Yes. But the work put him in a great place and you’ve seen him grow.
“The Ashes in Australia came after some tough Covid years,” Patel says. “Leachy’s role was very specific and they bullied him. He got knocked. He got to the Caribbean and bowled a lot. Could he have had more success? Yeah. Did he get it right all the time? Probably not. But the work put him in a great place to just bowl all summer and you’ve seen him grow. He was striving to be someone else before, but I said: ‘You’re Jack Leach. Chill out. You can be you and succeed.’
“As he saw where we were going under Stokesy, he became the kid at Somerset who just bowled.
“It’s become about winning small moments. As soon as you become a Test spinner, people talk of two runs an over in the first innings, five-fers in the second. But that’s old school. It’s not like that any more. It’s about exploiting nuances.”
At Patel’s suggestion, Leach’s training is primed to coincide with bowling to Root and Stokes in the nets – the best player of spin and the most aggressive – when before he was “a bit gun-shy”.
“Talking about technique was almost masking where he was at,” says Patel. “But 15 months later he is a lot more trusting in himself – he lights up the changing room. He knows how he can contribute.
“A lot of spinners get told what to do – get more side-on, be stronger through the crease – and they don’t ask why. When I reached my 30s, I had the answers to those questions and I really took off. Leachy is 31 and has come on really quickly in this respect.”
This point rather strikes to the heart of spin bowling in England, where patience is often in short supply. Patel rejects the idea that the cupboard is bare, however, rather there is a “10-year gap” between seasoned spinners and those in their infancy. Though exacerbated by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid opting not to tour, Patel is calm about the pair’s decision as “their service to England has been immense”. He adds: “Would I want them in Pakistan? 100%. But it’s not the case and we move on to the next.”
Next right now are three newcomers in Jacks, Livingstone and Ahmed. The two all-rounders will be encouraged to bowl aggressive lines in shorter spells. Sympathetic fields will be essential, he says, but a penchant for fast scoring with the bat and fielding prowess may offset their economy. Pakistan will attack both but this creates opportunities.
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Ahmed is more of a wildcard. Patel hoped he would at least travel as a net bowler, having himself benefited from a tour of Sri Lanka with New Zealand aged 19. Ahmed is a precocious talent, with a devilish googly.
“Rehan’s white-ball skills are seriously high-end: he bowls at a good lick, a tough length, spins it both ways and is not very tall, so the ball isn’t in the air long and it’s hard to get down the pitch. But he still relies on people getting out, as opposed to getting people out.
“We got him in during the ODIs this summer, to see him interact with Rash and Mo. Rash immediately said: ‘This guy is good. He needs to play red-ball cricket because he can bowl three different balls on the same length.’”
As an off-spinner with a fast bowler’s mentality, Patel caused a stir in 2015 when he claimed his English equivalents did not train hard enough. The recent high-performance review showed spinners bowl 22% of domestic overs in England – the lowest among the top eight nations – but Patel insists game time is not the only time to learn.
As a player, I bowled loads in the nets and 40 minutes before every day. It’s not overs or balls, it’s time
“That stat is disappointing,” he says. “I just think the pitches are a bit **** – too soft – and do loads for the seamers. Old Trafford is probably one of the best, Edgbaston and the Oval, too. But elsewhere they’re too soft.
“But [English spinners] don’t bowl enough outside of matches. As a player, I bowled loads in the nets and 40 minutes before every day. It’s not overs or balls, it’s time – how long are you on your feet? I’d had a couple of beers when I made those comments [in 2015] but even if it was a batting day I’d always bank bowling time so when the crunch came, I didn’t want the ball taking off me. That’s key.
“One of my other bugbears is talk of conditions. Captains and coaches get caught up with whether it will rag and ignore spin if they don’t think it will. But spin is about more than that – it always has a role to play. Stop playing the conditions, play the game.”
This no-nonsense approach is among what encouraged McCullum to keep Patel on during a recent trim of his staff.
On his former teammate’s approach, Patel says: “Brendon wants guys to realise that they’re at the top – Test cricket – and it should be as fun as possible. It’s not a chore, it’s not a ball-ache. You will never regret the time you played Test cricket. The way we operate now, jeez, I’d love to play for England.”
Had the 42-year-old’s parents remained in the UK, where they met back in the day, and not emigrated to Wellington, this may have proved the case. As it is, England’s spinners – for all their lack of experience – at least have strong backing in their corner.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ay-we-operate-now-id-love-to-play-for-england
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