Re: All Pretty Vacant, Down by the Riverside
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:15 pm
Axar Patel to play for Durham. He does has the potential to score handy runs and pick wickets even in long format as he has shown with all round performance in couple of Ranji seasons playing for Gujarat. In recent past years he did not play any Ranji matches because Indian think tank had informed ODI and T20 specialists players to skip Ranji and be available at NCA for training and recovery. Also played only few matches in 206-2017 season. Gujarat actually wanted Axar to play for them but Axar like other ODi and T20 cricketers of India were skipping Ranji due to think tanks decision. So it's not that he is not interested in longer format nor that he was not wanted by Gujarat in playing 11.
I won't be surprised if he takes couple of five fers against the county teams even with his left arm spin at a reasonably fast pace for a spinner. Certainly won't be bowling at the speed of Kumble though. More like Samit Patel's pace. Infact i think that if he increases his pace to that of Jaddu and bowls stump to stump then he might still get wickets because England county batsmen will find such bowling difficult as well. What Durham will be benefited is he can give a 30 to 40 overs spell easily an innings if required and knock couple of 50's.
I won't be surprised if he takes couple of five fers against the county teams even with his left arm spin at a reasonably fast pace for a spinner. Certainly won't be bowling at the speed of Kumble though. More like Samit Patel's pace. Infact i think that if he increases his pace to that of Jaddu and bowls stump to stump then he might still get wickets because England county batsmen will find such bowling difficult as well. What Durham will be benefited is he can give a 30 to 40 overs spell easily an innings if required and knock couple of 50's.