http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benn-c47745 - two attacking spinners - ICC World Cup 2011
The time has come for a critical ICC World Cup 2011 match between England and West Indies on Thursday. It is a must win game for England, as the Chennai fixture will decide the final four teams of group B to go through to the knockout stage. West Indians
are on top of their game after three consecutive wins in the tournament while England, after losing to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, is looking for a convincing victory to gain some of their respect back.
The Subcontinent pitches are proving to be spin-friendly and the two teams have some quality slow bowlers in their line-up. Graeme Swann has been the most successful English bowler so far in the tournament, as the West Indians are looking forward to yet
another outstanding performance from their vital spinner, Sulieman Benn.
Swann is an attacking off-spinner who disturbs the batsmen with his classy variation of pace and flight. He made his One Day International debut in 2000, but took him a long period of seven years to cement his regular place in the English arena. Swann has
a tremendous amount of experience in county cricket that helped him to become a top English spinner.
Swann is an intelligent bowler who does not allow batsmen to adjust easily on the crease. He is famous for his remarkable ability of taking a wicket in his very first over of the innings. Though, Swann is more like a finger spinner, but he has the ability
to give the ball some “rip” that mostly wrist spinners do.
"As the world's top-ranked spinner, much will be expected of him on pitches that are likely to assist him. On the subcontinent his energy and love for the game will be invaluable," said Angus Fraser, former England fast bowler.
Swann has picked up 69 ODI wickets in his 49 matches. With an economy rate of almost four and a half, Swann has an average of 24 with the ball. The off-break bowler does not have an exceptional record against the Caribbean, as he managed only 2 wickets in
two matches that he played against them.
One the other side, the Windies are heavily relying on the tall left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn. The bowler gave an excellent performance against Bangladesh where he was impossible to play. The pair of Kemar Roach and Benn has routed batting arrangements
of various teams in the tournament. Due to a tall stature and a high arm action, Benn extracts bounce from the wicket which most spinners are unable to do.
Benn is an aggressive bowler who has been involved in many controversies in his career, as once the left-arm spinner was sent out of the field for not following the order of his skipper. He is a key bowler for the Caribbean with his variations in pace, line
and length. One of the most difficult bowlers to play against on Subcontinent wickets, Benn has the ability to use the new ball very well.
"An aggressive left-arm spinner with a combative nature who, because of his height can extract bounce. Sulieman could do well on the slow turning wickets he will encounter if he remains focused and avoids confrontation," said Jeff Dujon, former West Indian
wicket-keeper.
Benn is playing his first World Cup and so far in the tournament, he has picked up 12 wickets in four games. With 29 wickets in 23 ODIs, Benn’s bowling average is 28. He has played three games against the Poms, in which he has three wickets to his credit.
The two finger-spinners are performing well in the mega event, picking up wickets frequently. It will be interesting to see how both of players use Chennai’s conditions against each other. The game will definitely be an exciting one.
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