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Former players split over England spinner decision

30/09/2008

Two former internationals have taken up opposite viewpoints in the ongoing debate over the makeup of the squad for England's two-Test trip to India this winter.

Yesterday, the selectors announced a 15-man touring squad, including two spinners - Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann - but omitting much-vaunted youngster Adil Rashid.

And former Yorkshire pace bowler Darren Gough, who has captained 20-year-old Rashid over the last two seasons, believes the youngster should have been taken on the trip, even if the selectors had no intention of playing him.

Speaking exclusively to inthenews.co.uk at the NatWest PCA Awards last night, Gough said: "I think they should take him on tour. It should have been announced to the press that he wouldn't play a game and they should have taken him for the experience.

"Having him around the nets bowling at the best players in England, day in day out, watching the Indians play and seeing the atmosphere around a Test series in India - I think it would have done him much more good than going on the 'A' tour."

Gough admitted Rashid is still "immature" and has "a lot to learn", but claimed he has the potential to be a world beater and should be nurtured by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"I think the atmosphere of a Test series in India would have been great for his development," continued the veteran, who has now retired from first-class cricket in England.

"I've known him for the last two years at Yorkshire and seen how he has developed - it's been amazing.

"He's still got a bit to go - I don't think he's 100 per cent ready for Test cricket yet.

"But it would have been good having him around players like Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Strauss and watching people like Harbajan [Singh] and Anil Kumble bowl live in action. It would have been great for him."

However, former Surrey and England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart believes the selectors have got their choices spot on and sees no reason to argue for the inclusion of an additional player.

"I think the balance of the squad is right. It is good they're only taking 15, you're never going to take 16," Stewart said.

"It was an easy pick in my opinion and the selectors have come up with what most people would have picked anyway."

Specifically on the subject of spinners, Stewart said he believes "two is plenty".

"It's only two Test matches so you are never going to play three spinners," he added.