Graeme Swann not convinced with England’s squad for the 3rd Test

The English team is in a very confusing situation ahead of the 3rd Test against South Africa. They are still not certain about their playing eleven as the experiment of playing with two spinners failed badly in the second Test. England lost the match by a huge margin of 340 runs. The loss brought the series at level 1-1 after the hosts won the first Test convincingly by 211 runs.

The England side suffered a setback as the left-handed batsman Gary Ballance was ruled out of the 3rd Test due to a broken finger. The injury, however, paved the way for 28-year old Tom Westley to be called for the crucial game. Along with Westley, explosive left-handed batsman Dawid Malan also received his maiden Test call-up. Both the players performed very well in the recent county season in England.

Stoneman deserves a chance

Former England spinner Graeme Swann was not happy with Tom Westley’s selection ahead of left-hander Mark Stoneman for the 3rd Test at Kennington Oval. Mark has great numbers for Surrey as he has scored 761 runs at an average of 59, whereas Westley has scored 478 runs at an average of 53. “The most incredible thing is Mark Stoneman still not being given a chance,” Swann said. “His numbers have been immaculate over the last couple of years and I think it is very harsh on him he hasn’t been picked in this squad.”

Westley is also a talented cricketer

The off-spinner stated that Westley is also a very talented cricketer and has a bright future. “Westley looks a good talent but they must know something I don’t know because, why they have gone for him over Stoneman, there must be a reason behind it,” the 38-year old added.

“Tom Westley is a very good player and I have seen him a little bit and been impressed with him”, he added.

Top order still a problem

Swann believed that England’s top order has not been at their best in the Test series so far. The top order is still a big problem after Westley’s addition, termed Swann. “There are so many places up for grabs it is ridiculous,” Swann said.

“You have the opening berth to go alongside Alastair Cook and the No.3 slot because Gary Ballance hasn’t really worked out and has now broken his finger. He (Mark Stoneman) must be the most vulnerable man in world cricket at the moment,” the most successful English offie further stated.

Stoneman not selected for being a left-hander

Along with Swann, former England captain Nasser Hussain also didn’t affirm England’s selection decision. He considered Stoneman’s batting style as the reason for his non-selection. “The only thing that has stopped Mark Stoneman from making his Test debut next week is probably the fact that he is left-handed,” Hussain wrote in the Daily Mail.

“Stoneman might have been just ahead of Tom Westley as a replacement for the injured Gary Ballance, but the fact that the top three would all have been left-handed matters.”

“It’s all very well England saying they just need to pick their best players but they had to take into account how exceptional Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander are against left-handers”, said the former right-hand batsman.