LONDON (Reuters) – Former captain Nasser Hussain has questioned England’s decision to suspend Jonny Bairstow for the first two trials against India next month, saying there was a particular need for ability spinning the stick at the beginning of the “image sequence”.
As part of England’s policy of putting players back in shape, Bairstow, along with Sam Curran and Mark Wood, will cool their heels after the ongoing test series in Sri Lanka.
“I would say it is worrying that one of the top three spinning players in England – I would say Bairstow with Joe Root and Ben Stokes there – has passed home and the others are going to Chennai, Hussain told Sky Cricket Sport.
“Should you relax or roam for India or turn to the first test of that India series, an image series, and choose the best side for you?
“England fans who are turning around and England 20-2 may have the argument,‘ I want us to see our best bat against spin, or one of them, in am Bairstow ‘.
Hussain was aware of the “nightmare” that English players have gone through playing series in biosecurity bubbles since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year.
“Balancing is fair to the public and winning is what lies ahead and long-term planning all year round. ”
England have recently replaced veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad but Hussain made a case for playing both sailors who share 1100-plus test wickets between them.
“So maybe we’re going to leave Anderson or Broad and play the spinner in Dom Bess. Do you think that’s the right thing to do?
“At the moment our sailors are taking out our spinners, so shouldn’t we show faith in them? ”
The four-match series begins on Feb. 5 with Chennai hosting the first two games while the final two will be played in Ahmedabad.
Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; edit by …