Joe Root’s side are in desperate need of a spinner and the rotation policy means some players are not getting enough Test cricket, but there is plenty of talent to come in
England start a five-Test series against India in just over seven weeks. The return of Ben Stokes for the start and Jofra Archer, midway through, will help with balance. But, batting disaster aside, what England have been crying out for at both Lord’s and Edgbaston is a spinner. Joe Root has far too much on his plate to be expected to hold up one end and hope for a mistake. Chris Silverwood, who earned his coaching stripes with Essex, a team built around the success of Simon Harmer, knows the importance of a twirly man. Jack Leach has done nothing wrong, and others – Moeen Ali, Matt Parkinson, Amar Virdi, Jack Carson – are waiting in the wings.
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