'They could easily roll through any batting line-up in the world' - Graeme Swann optimistic about England's new spin arsenal

Cricket fans are buzzing with anticipation as England gear up for their upcoming five-match Test series against India. Graeme Swann, the former England spinner, is particularly optimistic about the prospects of England's spin department. Led by the seasoned player Jack Leach, the spin attack includes the relatively new members Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Shoaib Bashir.

England's spin attack faced challenges during their 2021 tour of India, with Leach being the standout performer. However, the lack of support from Moeen Ali and Dom Bess put the spotlight on England's spinning struggles. In a pinch, Joe Root, not a regular spinner, had to step up, highlighting the team's predicament.

Despite the inexperience, the current spin setup boasts diversity. Hartley and Bashir's performances in domestic circuits have garnered praise, while Rehan, in the mix since his debut in late 2022, adds another dimension.

Swann, having mentored these spinners during a recent camp in Dubai, is confident in their abilities, especially on challenging pitches. In a recent statement on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Swann expressed, “They can bowl, put it that way, and the guys that are on that trip in India, if conditions suit and they get the chance and they can handle the pressure of it, are genuinely exciting. Hartley and Bashir could be genuinely exciting on the sort of wickets that are going to be produced by India, or you think are going to be produced."

Excitement aside, the former spinner acknowledges the spinners' lack of experience compared to traditional English spinners. Reflecting on the changing landscape, Swann commented, "They’ve not got the years of experience that spinners used to have, or used to be a prerequisite of getting in the England team."

Despite the relative novelty, Swann remains upbeat. The unpredictability of Hartley and Bashir, evident in their performances in Abu Dhabi, has left Swann "grinning like a Cheshire Cat." The unknown factor surrounding these players could prove advantageous on challenging pitches, reminiscent of the Ahmedabad conditions in the previous tour.

“They’ve been picked very much for that purpose and they could be brilliant. We saw things in Abu Dhabi that genuinely had me grinning like a Cheshire Cat and I’m very excited. They’re complete unknowns to the rest of the world so should they get the chance on the sort of pitch that we played India on last time in Ahmedabad, they could easily roll through any batting line-up in the world. I think it’s very exciting," the former England spinner added.

Spin could be one of the main weapons in both team's armoury

The comparison with England's last tour of India, where Ravi]chandran Ashwin and Axar Patel dominated with a combined 59 wickets, is inevitable. England had a rare series lead but succumbed to the Indian spin duo in subsequent matches, including a swift defeat in Ahmedabad.

As England's tour kicks off with the first Test in Hyderabad on January 25, all eyes will be on this new-look spin quartet. Swann's optimism, coupled with the spinners' unique traits, adds an element of intrigue. Can they replicate or even surpass the feats of their Indian counterparts from the previous tour? Only time will tell, but the excitement is palpable, and cricket enthusiasts are eager to witness if England's spin tale takes a new turn or follows a familiar script