England: Clueless against spin

In the Telegraph, Scyld Berry criticises the way England's batsmen have been reluctant to use their feet against spin in the World Cup, and blames the counties for the lack of a second specialist spinner in the squad to complement the impressive Graeme Swann.

Teams who are incapable of batting against spin on a slow pitch, or of bowling it properly with the exception of Graeme Swann, do not deserve to qualify for the knockout stage of this World Cup -- or any other.

Critics of limited-overs cricket who say it is degenerating into a slogathon should savour England's batting against spin on a slow pitch, especially in a powerplay, as there is precious little chance of the ball going off the square.