The selectors should have considered Sarandeep

Theirs being a thankless job, selectors receive more than a fair share of criticism. Fully aware of the maxim that "form is temporary, class is permanent," they have to draw a fine line between the two qualities. Even if it may be temporary, one cannot ignore the player in form. Whoever they choose, the selectors are in a no win situation. If they ignore the classy player, they are criticized for not recognising greatness. And if they ignore the cricketer in form, they are lambasted for not giving an opportunity to a deserving case.

The argument for spin over pace becomes even more pronounced in the field of Test cricket. What then is the idea of having five fast bowlers in the 16-man squad? Two among Srinath, Prasad, Agarkar, Zaheer and Nehra are bound to be passengers. Would it not have been better if the spin department, our traditional strike force as I have repeatedly pointed out, was strengthened by the inclusion of Sarandeep Singh?

Connor Williams is the latest case in point. A 28-year-old left handed opening batsman who is more a grafter than a stroke player, Williams has scored nearly 3400 runs in first-class cricket since his debut in 1995-96 at a healthy average of over 45 with six hundreds and 21 half - centuries with a highest score of 237 not out. In the each of the last four years, Williams has exceeded the 500-run mark in the Ranji Trophy. This culminated in a tally of 728 runs last season when he was one of the stars of Baroda's first title triumph in the national competition in 43 years. Just last week, he confirmed his rising stature by scoring 143 and 83 in the Irani Trophy fixture at Nagpur. Can the selectors afford to ignore such a record, especially when there is need for a specialist opening batsman for the team currently having an uneven run in South Africa? It goes without saying that his being left-handed is an added advantage.

Critics are harping on the fact that facing amiable seam bowlers on batting pitches at home is a very different proposition from facing Pollock and company on the faster and bouncier tracks in South Africa.

The point is so obvious that is hardly worth mentioning. The fact remains that here is a batsman who has been the epitome of consistency, has impressed everyone by his approach, which is a judicious mixture of aggression and defence, and has a sound technique. So why not give him a chance? Could he be termed an undeserving case?

Yes, perhaps the selectors have even seen a bit of class too in him, for if they were to pick players only on form, then Yere Goud, the highest run-getter last season, would walk into the Indian side. I venture to guess that if Williams were not picked, the same critics would pull up the selectors for ignoring a player in form. Let us therefore welcome the inclusion of Williams and hope that he gets enough opportunities to succeed.

That said, it must be added that the selection raises a couple of contentious issues. Jacob Martin, from all accounts, is a better Test prospect than a oneday cricketer. He should be staying behind in South Africa instead of taking the return flight home after the Standard Bank one-day tri-series.

And then there is the case of the bowling. If the current tri-series has proved anything, it is that India has a better chance of bowling the South Africans out with spin rather than pace. The argument for spin over pace becomes even more pronounced in the field of Test cricket. What then is the idea of having five fast bowlers in the 16-man squad? Two among Srinath, Prasad, Agarkar, Zaheer and Nehra are bound to be passengers. Would it not have been better if the spin department, our traditional strike force as I have repeatedly pointed out, was strengthened by the inclusion of Sarandeep Singh?

If Williams could get in largely on the basis of his two good scores in the Irani Trophy ­ and deservingly so I might add ­ should not Sarandeep get a look in following his Irani match haul of eight wickets? If we have a tendency to dismiss the feats of batsmen running up tall scores on the shirt front pitches, should we not view with some sympathy bowlers who are able to take wickets on such surfaces?