Former England spinner Graeme Swann has predicted a 5-0 whitewash for Cook and his team in forthcoming test series versus India. Image Source: cricbd24[/caption]Internet Desk: Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has predicted a 5-0 whitewash for Alistair Cook and his team in the forthcoming test series in India. Swann, who was instrumental in England's 2-1 series win in India in 2012, believes that the current test side led by Cook stands no chance of repeating the result against this Indian squad.
The former cricketer blamed the system in place for producing lack of quality spinners.
"There is no sort of system in place to provide the backing that spinners need," he said. "From the day they arrive in county cricket to the day they play in Tests, it's not there. It is for batting, for bowlers, for fielding, for fitness, for nutrition … but not for spin bowling. And because of that, we are bad players of spin. It's a whole melting pot," said Swann during the launch of BT Sport’s cricket coverage.
According to Swann, who went on to become one of England’s most prolific spinners with a tally of 255 wickets from 60 tests felt the urgent need of grooming quality spinners by ECB to play in the sub-continent.
"We don't take spin seriously in this country, and then bemoan the fact that we haven't got world-class spinners when we go to the subcontinent."
The former spinner came down heavily against the board for treating the spinners as third class citizens.
"We've got a bloody good team with bloody good cricketers, but we will lose in India because of what has happened 20 years before. We are hamstrung by the fact that we treat spinners as third-class citizens."
Swann also heaped high praises on Ashwin and Jadeja.
"I don't think we've got a cat in hell's chance, seeing how Ashwin and Jadeja bowl," he said. "Jadeja doesn't spin the ball, he doesn't try to. He just bowls straight and lets Ashwin do the work. Ashwin isn't a massive turner of the ball, he rarely bowls his carrom ball, but he's very, very accurate. Every Test in India he goes into, he believes he's going to win it."
Talking about his development as a spinner, he felt his decision to move to Nottinghamshire reaped huge dividends as he practiced bowling on non-turning tracks.
"Me and Monty were freaks of nature, we grew up in Northants where the pitches used to rag square, but I moved [to Nottinghamshire] because I wanted to become a better bowler on non-turning pitches."
Meanwhile, Alistair Cook and his team got down to business as they had their first practice session at the Cricket Club of India (CCI). All 16 members of the Test squad were involved at the practice session. There was an indication as to what will be the likely batting order in the first test match which starts at Rajkot from November 09. Out of form Gary Ballance may face the potential axe as he was seen batting at the nets towards the later stages. England will train again at the same venue tomorrow before they leave for Rajkot the following day.
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