October 22nd 2024.
Brydon Carse has had a remarkable start to his Test career, impressing both fans and critics alike. As the deciding Test between Pakistan and England approaches in Rawalpindi, expectations for another intense turner pitch are high. However, the English team has taken a more traditional approach and opted for a third spinner, Rehan Ahmed, instead of the impressive pace bowler Carse.
This decision is based on the perception of pitch conditions, even though Carse has consistently created opportunities in the first two Tests and has been the standout bowler for England with nine wickets. Even in the second Test, which was won by Pakistan and played on a worn-out pitch from the first match, Carse proved to be the most likely to take a wicket.
It is common for captains to prefer having multiple bowling options when trying to dismiss the opposition. However, there is an old saying that suggests that in conditions where the ball is spinning or seaming, fewer bowlers are needed to exploit those conditions. The extra reinforcements often end up being surplus to requirements if the others do a decent job. While Bazball, known for his unconventional tactics, won over many fans with his counter-intuitive approach, the inclusion of a third spinner in this match seems to follow a more sensible and predictable playbook.
It is unlikely that Ahmed, a wrist-spinner who is known to be expensive, will be able to maintain pressure and keep the runs under control. He will need to take wickets without bowling too many overs, as the bulk of the spin work will be left to England's finger spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir. This match marks Ahmed's comeback to Test cricket in Rawalpindi, and he will surely be eager to perform well in these turning conditions.
One possible reason for England's decision to include another spinner could be their belief that Pakistan's right-handed batsmen are more aggressive than their left-handed counterparts. This could be why they want another bowler who can spin the ball away from them. In the second Test, the right-handers seemed to target Bashir, hitting him for boundaries, as his stock ball made it easier for them to score freely. However, if Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have faith in Bashir and consider him their main spinner for the upcoming Ashes tour, he will need to learn how to handle right-handers attacking him.
It is worth noting that Carse could have still played in this match, replacing Gus Atkinson, who was recalled for this game after being rested in the previous one. In Rawalpindi, Atkinson will be the only specialist pace bowler in the English team, with captain Ben Stokes being the only other bowler who can exceed 75mph. Choosing between Atkinson and Carse was a tricky decision that previous captains might have left to their gut feeling.
Since his debut last summer, Atkinson has taken 38 wickets in seven Tests, which is an exceptional performance, even in home conditions. On the other hand, Carse has been a revelation in Pakistan, where the usual challenges for batting are reduced. Before their loss in the last match, England had won four consecutive Tests in Pakistan, three of which were played two years ago. In contrast, their win rate was quite low before that, with only two wins in 50 years. This highlights the impressive performance of Stokes and McCullum as captains, who now have the right to make any decision they see fit, even if it may seem conventional and predictable, like Ahmed's inclusion in this match.
Despite this, Carse's remarkable performance and his unwavering dedication to the team have surely secured his spot for the upcoming Ashes tour in Australia. Playing in Australia requires batters who can handle the back foot and bowlers with accuracy and pace, along with a spinner who can maintain control while the fast bowlers take a break. So far, England has shown that they have pace in their bowling ranks, but not always the consistent accuracy that was a trademark of legendary bowler Glenn McGrath. However, Carse has shown that he can match McGrath's performance, which has been a rare achievement for most English bowlers, except for John Snow in 1970/71 and James Anderson in 2010/11, which was England's only Ashes victory in Australia in 38 years.
As the great Shane Warne used to say, if the ball is seaming, it will also spin. This applies to the current match as well, as the pitch in Rawalpindi is said to have been prepared with the help of heating lamps and rakes to create some life in it. Despite this, England seems to have overlooked the fact that a seaming ball can also be spun, and have instead focused on loading their team with spinners.
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