World Cup 2019: Ranking the spin contingent of all the teams

The World Cup 2019 has started off on a rather disappointing note, with almost all the games thus far ending as lop-sided affairs. In a tournament that was bound to present an equitable battle between bat and ball, scores of 300+ have gone amiss.

With the pacers making the most of the seaming conditions at hand, the spinners have not had the best of outings but can be expected to have a major say in a later part of the tournament.

In batting-friendly conditions, the spin on offer could be the containing factor. In the initial stages of the tournament, teams winning the toss are expected to put the opposition in which gives the pacers an extra incentive to leave a mark early on.

But since most of the matches are played as day matches, if the team batting first manages to put runs on the board, their spinners are going to be a decisive factor while bowling second. The wickets in the early part of the English summer are expected to be pace friendly in the first innings and spin conducive in the second innings.

In this article, we analyze and rank the spin bowling attacks of the 10 participating teams.

#10 West Indies

Ashley Nurse is the lead spinner for the West Indies

The West Indies bowling attack predominantly is a pace-oriented attack with only two spinners in off-spinner Ashley Nurse and left-arm orthodox spinner Fabian Allen in their team. These two spinners combined together have played in 58 ODIs and taken 50 wickets only. Nothing awe- inspiring. A fit Sunil Narine could have provided the experience in the spin bowling segment but in his absence, the West Indies team has one of the weakest spin-bowling attacks in the tournament.

#9 Sri Lanka

Though Sri Lanka has four spinners in the squad, only one of them, leg break bowler Jeffrey Vendersay, is a specialist spinner. However, Vandersay has limited experience from playing just 11 ODIs while the other spinners in the squad such Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis and Milinda Siriwardana are all batsmen who could bowl a bit. Hence, the Sri Lankan spin attack could wear a depleted look this World Cup.

Also read - Cricket world cup winners captains list

#8 New Zealand

New Zealand has only two regular spinners in their squad, leg break bowler Ish Sodhi and left-arm orthodox bowler Mitchell Santner. Santner is more of a steady spinner than an attacking option. He has picked up just five wickets in his last 10 ODIs, a scary number in prospect of his importance in this team.

Ish Sodhi’s record is much better with 15 wickets in his last 10 ODIs. For a leg-spinner, he has achieved a decent economy rate of 5.50 in his last 10 matches but has been in and out of the team, with the pacers making more of an impact.

With only two regular spinners in their squad, one of whom is not a regular member of the playing eleven, NZ could have a tough ask at a later stage.

#7 Australia

Australia has a little variety in their spin attack through Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon. However, with Nathan Lyon unable to cement his place in the team, the onus will be on Zampa to strike with his leg-spin with Glenn Maxwell chipping in with some off-spin in the middle overs.

While Zampa has been in terrific form this year with 21 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 5.33, Nathan Lyon is more of an economical bowler and is not a strike bowler. In the 25 matches he has played, he has taken only 26 wickets which could come to hurt the Australians on a turning pitch.

#6 South Africa

A match-winner by his own right, Imran Tahir's ability to turn matches on their head makes him one of the leading spinners in this competition. Tahir has been a consistent performer for South Africa since the last World Cup having taken 117 wickets from 72 matches. In this period, he had figures of 7 for 45 against West Indies and 6 for 24 against Zimbabwe. South Africa would in all probability field Imran Tahir as the lone spinner with JP Duminy filling in with some part-time off-spinner. The other spinner in the squad Tabraiz Shamsi, who has had some good games with his left-arm chinaman being effective at times.

#5 Bangladesh

Bangladesh has the services of the experienced left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan in the team. Shakib has phenomenal figures in ODI cricket and averages 29.95 with 249 wickets from 198 matches. His experience should make a huge difference in the middle overs and with a little turn on offer.

Apart from Shakib, Bangladesh skipper Mortaza has to his disposal off-break bowlers Mehidy Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain. They have back up part-time spinners in the form of Mahmadullah and Sabbir Rahman and with a plethora of bowlers in the unit, Bangladesh look solid in the spin department.

#4 Pakistan

Pakistan’s strength lies in their variation in spin, with leggie Shadab Khan and left-arm orthodox spinner Imad Wasim set to procure all the turn that the pitch can offer. Wasim's drifters have been effective in all conditions while Shadab's return from injury and consistency will be key.

The 'Men in Green' also have experienced part-time spinners Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik in the line-up. Hafeez has taken 137 ODI wickets at an economy of 4.14. Malik even has a better record with 157 wickets at an economy of 4.66. However, unfortunately for Pakistan, out of these two experienced players, only one would find a place in the playing XI.

#3 England

Among other things, England has variety in its spin bowling attack. They have off-spinner Moeen Ali, leg-spinner Adil Rashid and left-arm orthodox spinner Liam Dawson at their disposal.

Adil Rashid, with 133 wickets in 89 matches will be their main strike weapon for England if their pace bowlers fail to do the job while Moeen Ali's ability to hit the right areas and vary his line and length will be crucial on a pitch that offers some turn. .

#2 Afghanistan

Afghanistan has star spinner Rashid Khan in its ranks and it comes as no surpise that they depend on the spinners to make a big impact. He is at present the most difficult mystery spinner to read. Khan has immense experience from T20 leagues across the world and will be looking to lead the way with his variations.

Rashid Khan is ably supported by yet another mystery spinner in Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the old warhorse Mohammad Nabi. Mujeeb is excellent with the new ball and could be banked to drift the new ball. Mohammad Nabi is an experienced campaigner having played in 113 matches and taken 118 wickets at an excellent economy of 4.27 and will, without a shadow of doubt, be pipped to restrict the batters in the middle overs.

#1 India

India's spin attack is one of extremely high quality. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are both wicket-taking options for India in the middle overs while Ravindra Jadeja's ability to inflict damage has made him one of the leading spin all-rounders in the sport.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have both stamped their authority with some commanding performances in ODI cricket and will have a massive role to play on pitches that could offer some turn. Jadeja, when given the chance could be expected to tighten the lid on the run scoring and pile pressure on the batsmen.

The combined efforts of the spin trio could be a major feature to watch out for from the Indian team.

Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️