Quote:
Originally Posted by greg  Rashid shouldn't be in the side,we don't need 2 spinners and Swann is obviously the best candidate for that.Rashid didn't bat in the top 6 last season so can't be considered as a batsman anymore than Tim Bresnan could who incidently scored more centuries than Rashid. |
First things first: the frontrunner for the wicket-keeper spot (though not my preference) is Ambrose... and by common consent he's a genuine top order bat. If he plays then the no 6 spot is spoken for (and with the likes of Swann and Broad at 8 and 9, the batting depth is huge) - no one should seriously doubt Rashid's ability to bat at 7 in ANY side: he's no Ponting or Jayawardene... but he's handy enough given that (unlike Bopara) he's also a handy 5th bowler.
That brings me to the second matter: I'm not suggesting that Rashid should be considered as the next best spin option after Panesar and Swann: if he were unable to bat he'd NOT be the next best spin option. That said... a 5th bowler (and second spinner) doesn't have the same role as a a first spinner and frontline bowler - and no captain should turn his nose up at the option of trying to get a wicket with a reliable (if, as they often are, expensive) leg-spinner.