Brendon McCullum justifies selecting spin rookies for India Tests

Apart from Jack Leach, none of the England spinners have enough experience of playing Test cricket. Ahead of the first Test against India in Hyderabad, youngster Rehan Ahmed had just one match under his wings while Tom Hartley made his debut. Despite so, the Three Lions managed to get over the line as they defeated the hosts by 28 runs to take a lead in the five-match series.

Reflecting upon England’s decision to play inexperienced spinners against India, head coach Brendon McCullum mentioned that Australia great Nathan Lyon too didn’t play enough First Class matches before he was called by the national team. He reminded that the spinner played a handful of games in the First Class cricket but that didn’t stop him from making a significant impact in internationals.

“Let’s not forget – and I think this is quite a pertinent point – but Nathan Lyon had only played a handful of first-class games and averaged 40-odd when he first got picked for Australia,” McCullum was quoted as saying by News18.

“When you see guys you think are good enough and who you think are going to suit the conditions, it’s sort of horses for courses. You’ve got to back your judgement,” he added.

Meanwhile, the former New Zealand skipper also kept the door open to play all four spinners in the second Test in Vizag. Shoaib Bashir, who missed the first Test due to visa problems, has joined the squad and if the conditions suit the spinners, England might play him in the second Test of the five-match series.

Sometimes, you’ve got to be a little bit brave with selections: McCullum

Debutant Hartley leaked more than 130 runs in the first innings but bounced back in the second innings as he picked up seven wickets in England’s historic win. Speaking about playing him, McCullum mentioned that Hartley has the character and skill set to excel in any conditions and thus, they didn’t care much about his experience in international cricket.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to be a little bit brave with selections. If you like a character and you like their skill set, and you think it can be suited to conditions, then it’s kind of an educated punt,” McCullum said.