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England’s historical struggle against spin has been a topic of debate and concern, especially when playing in subcontinental conditions. However, amid the ongoing battle against India, former English skipper Michael Vaughan has identified one of England’s modern-day great as the best player of spin his country has produced since the legendary Graham Gooch and even bestowed a piece of advice upon him.
In a recent column for the Telegraph, Vaughan not only praised the batting prowess of the cricketer he picked as the most adept spin player alongside Gooch but also urged him to stick to his natural game rather than succumbing to a ‘bazball’ approach against spinners in India.
Graham Gooch’s legacy
Gooch, a cricketing stalwart, not only captained the English national side but also left an indelible mark as one of England’s finest players of spin. His remarkable record of 8,900 runs, coupled with an impressive average of 42.21 in India, highlights his ability to tackle spin bowling, making him a benchmark for future English batters.
The current spin challenge
As England faces the spin challenge in India, the team’s aggressive ‘bazball’ approach has brought both success and challenges. Some batters, in their pursuit of quick runs, have found themselves vulnerable against spinners. This has prompted Vaughan to offer advice to one player who, in his eyes, stands out as the epitome of spin mastery.
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Michael Vaughan names England’s best player of spin alongside Gooch
Vaughan named cricketing stalwart Joe Root as England’s best player of spin alongside Gooch, emphasizing Root’s outstanding track record against spinners. Vaughan also urged Root to stay true to his natural game and not get influenced by bazball, reminding him that he has reached the milestone of 10,000 Test runs by being himself.
“The batsmen look like they only have one way to play. They are in fifth gear from ball one. I don’t mind some of them playing like that because they are better at it. But Joe Root should forget it. He has 10,000 Test runs playing like Joe Root. He doesn’t need to be a Bazballer,” wrote Vaughan.
“It is time for someone in the management to put an arm around Joe and say, ‘Please just be yourself.” This is particularly important against spin. Along with Graham Gooch, Root is the best player of spin England has ever produced,” lauded Vaughan.
It is worth mentioning that with over 11,000 Test runs and an impressive average of 43.65 on Indian soil, Root has proven his mettle as a reliable batter against spin.
