England prepares for wrist-spin war

Yadav was in devastating form during the recent ODI series, recording figures of six for 25 in Nottingham, before taking a further three wickets at Lord’s. He also claimed a five–for in a T20 match at Old Trafford. 

It is not yet certain whether Yadav will feature in the first Test at Edgbaston, as Ravichandran Ashwin could get the nod instead. But England has nevertheless made special provisions to help prepare for the possibility of facing Yadav on what is likely to be a dry pitch susceptible to turn. 

England has had to dig deep to find three suitable left-arm spinners. Twenty-eight-year-old Akhil Patel is the most senior of the three having played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire. Away from cricket, the brother of Samit Patel makes a living as a pub landlord — he is the proprietor of Caught & Bowled in Giltbrook. 

The other two spinners that have been drafted in are Essex club cricketer William Blackwell, now a roofer by trade, and Yorkshire teenager Sam Wisniewski, 17. Dom Bess and Jack Leach also bowled during Monday’s nets session. 

Blackwell had bowled at England opener Alastair Cook previously. Blackwell recalled he was barely a 12-year-old when he played against Alastair and he was playing for London Schools. “I got him out first ball once, but that was a long time ago. We then became team-mates for Essex with Ravi Bopara too. I just play club cricket now in the Two Counties league, but the chance to come and bowl at the England boys was an amazing opportunity thanks to our coach Alan Butcher,” Blackwell said. 

“There aren’t that many of us (left-arm wrist-spinners) around so if I can help them get used to the angle and the way the ball comes out that’s great,” he added.