Panesar second spinner or key figure

[pie_chucker]

I dont think so. I was posing the question assuming that Giles was fully fit though and certainly pre his injury. His bowling now for me is finished at international level.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

His bowling now for me is finished at international level.

In November and December of this year England will be playing Tests in Sri lanka. Two spinners WILL be required. All being well, Panesar should get the first spot. With any luck, Giles should surely bag the second spot: he had an extremely good tour of Sri Lanka last time around... 197.3 overs in 3 Tests bringing 18 wickets (double any other England bowler) at 29.84 and going at a miserly 2.72 / over.

Even if you reckon someone else (Dalrymple?) might emerge to provide a credible challenge to Giles.... Giles will be in the reckoning because of the risk of Panesar or the other spinner picking up an injury.

[pie_chucker]

If Giles is bowling the way he was pre injury I'd be happy to see him and Panesar line up in Sri Lanka.

Its just after watching his bowling since the injury he's bowling a bit slower and is getting no action on the ball, so no dip or turn. If he bowled like this because he wasnt fully fit then fair enough, but I'm not convinced (I'm more than happy to be proved wrong though!).

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

In November and December of this year England will be playing Tests in Sri lanka. Two spinners WILL be required. All being well, Panesar should get the first spot. With any luck, Giles should surely bag the second spot:

Interesting post Rachael - but I don't agree that two spinners will be NESSESARY, why would this be if we have Anderson - Hoggard - (maybe Lewis just in that situation), Flintoff and one genuine quick eg Plunkett or Mahmood.

Also if Giles is FULLY fit, then he would be as good as Panesar, so the spinner spot would be between Giles/Panesar.

The reason England don't need two spinners - is because anything England spinners can throw at Sri Lanka, they IMO will be equal to.

[Rachael]

Look back at the last tour, Ern: Giles was England's player of the tournament! On Sri Lankan wickets, Giles will match the best of even an in form Hoggard and Flintoff (who should be the only seamers in the side unless there is CLEAR evidence that Simon Jones or one of the youngsters is going to be seriously threatening as a reverse-swing option.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Also if Giles is FULLY fit, then he would be as good as Panesar.

anything England spinners can throw at Sri Lanka

Are you sure Ern?? Panesar is an attacking bowler and has already troubled good subcontinental batsmen. As an all round package Panesar is a superior bowler, even compared to Giles at his best.

If Giles was fully fit ( and bowling pre injury not the powder puff stuff he bowled in the last ashes) . I would play him but only alongside Panesar and not ahead of him.

Shouldnt that second statement say anything the England spinners bowl at Sri Lanka they have a spinner who can throw it back! - sorry couldnt help myself!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Are you sure Ern?? Panesar is an attacking bowler and has already troubled good subcontinental batsmen.[...] As an all round package Panesar is a superior bowler, even compared to Giles at his best.

Yes I think a fully fit Giles would be better than Panesar in Sri Lanka - I think it would be wrong to judge is performence in Australia, the man had not played for a year.

It takes experience to bowl in Sri Lanka - the attacking bowler is not always the best option, and Giles is able to bowl an accurate defensive line that frustrates batsmen just outside leg stump.

I am with Rachael that Giles - Flintoff - Hoggard - and Jones if he is fit, should make up the attack with an OPTION to play Panesar or a bowler with no pace such as Collingwood as 5th bowler (providing Jones is fit).

Originally Posted by pie_chucket

Shouldnt that second statement say anything the England spinners bowl at Sri Lanka they have a spinner who can throw it back!

LOL no Vaas is fine.

[greg]

I hope Giles gets his full fitness back but even if he does Monty is a far superior bowler.The only way Giles will get in the side will be as a number 2 spinner which i doubt we will need as KP should be persevered with as he spins the ball more than Giles and caused the Aussies more problems.

[darksideofthemoon]

I expect it will be Harmison, Hoggard, Jones and Panesar with Giles if needed. Plunkett going as the drinks waiter.