A tall off-spinner who more than slightly resemblances to R Ashwin of India in his bowling style, Senanayake made his international debut in Sri Lanka’s win over South Africa today. He started off fairly steadily, coming on first change in the fifth over and only conceding two runs, but took some tap from Alviro Petersen…

There’s something about a leg-spinner that automatically makes them more interesting to watch than any other kind of bowler. It’s the sort of thing that made a Sky commentator describe Will Beer as a “more unorthodox bowler” than the rest of the bowlers in the match. Whilst that makes little sense as Beer bowls a…

The current South African Test team, as well as being the best in the world, is also one of the most balanced and adaptable. In their current line-up, they have seven frontline batsmen, and five frontline bowlers. Add Robin Peterson averaging 24.61 batting at number eight, and JP Duminy’s useful off-spin, and you have a…

The first ODI between West Indies and Australia was a tale of two spinners. One is more experienced in domestic and international cricket, but the other is a player of huge promise. When Xavier Doherty came on to bowl during the 15th over of Australia’s innings, my mind was cast back to two test matches…

Not much spat, little tantalising the batsman, there were no grenades wrapped in candy floss. Little fizz, any turn was slow turn. Despite a five for in the first innings of an Ashes Test, it seems that Swann’s a bit under his own high standards. That seems strange to say of a bowler with 18…

With the call up of the destructive and exciting Jos Buttler, there’s been less interest in the call up of Danny Briggs to fight with Samit Patel for the second spinner spot. Brigg’s is undoubtedly a talented young cricketer, but his limited overs record is underwhelming and with another left arm spinner in the squad…

Still waters run deep, the old proverb goes. It might be a cliche but that’s what comes to mind when watching Steve O’Keefe bowl in the Sheffield Shield final. A while ago, before the Ashes series in England, I wrote a piece (never actually posted) asking who could get in the Australian team ahead of…

Moeen Ali does not want to bat at number eight. Jonny Bairstow is too good to bat at eight. Ben Stokes is also too good to bat at number eight. Liam Dawson will bat at number eight to get in the team. Liam Dawson is not too good to bat at number eight. Have England…

The phrase, ‘lies, damn lies, and statistics’ can be taken too seriously. I talked recently about the hunch selections of the past, your Michael Vaughan/Marcus Trescothick type, but the point that also needs to be made is that statistics can tell a lot. Take Steve O’Keefe, and let me reel off a list of stats….