Has the time come for English cricketers to broaden their horizons?

After every county season there is an annual migration of cricketers to the Southern Hemisphere. Players converge on Australia and South Africa to sharpen their skills and strengthen their minds. For most the experience is invaluable. But why do English cricketers not travel to the Asian sub-continent?

The need for greater experience against quality spin was graphically illustrated by their woeful performance against the Sri Lankan spinners on Tuesday. Whilst The Management had talked at length about the need to use their feet they are used to playing from the crease. A player cannot be expected to change his technique overnight

It's not just the youngsters either who are having problems. The seniors have been tormented for almost a decade now by Warne. Others like Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain, Kumble, and Muralitharan will look back with fondness on their tussles with English batsmen when they finally hang up their boots.

With sub-continental batsmen generally considered to be the best players of spin in the world, what better way to learn than to spend some time learning the art of playing spin in the master?s own backyard. They are no shortage of clubs willing to accommodate England?s players. Not only would it develop their personal game but it could also help to improve England?s dismal record on the slow turning wickets of the sub-continent.

When CRICINFO asked Tim Boon whether more young players should come to Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan for a season, he was unequivocal. ``I agree totally, I think it?s a great place to come and play against some quality cricketers, in different conditions and with a different lifestyle. I think they would learn more here in three weeks than they would in six months in England.''

The Sri Lankan manager also felt that it was a good idea. ``The English players have not been using their feet against the spinners for the last 10-15 years. It's high time that they did. They would definitely benefit from coming here to play.''

Whilst the likes of Tim Boon, Mark Benson and Simon Hughes have come to Sri Lanka to play during the winter, many appear reluctant to stay in Sri Lanka/India/Pakistan. A lot of this is the result of preconceived misconceptions about the dangers and hardships of living in the sub-continent. Stories about ?Delhi belly? and the infamous ?Madras prawns? don?t help of course! The reality is very different today and the cricketers would enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle.

Nevertheless many would get lonely and prefer the Anglo-Saxon enclaves of the Southern Hemisphere. Perhaps the solution would be to send out players in pairs. Or why not bring the players here for a shorter a period of time.

One hopes that more coaches will encourage their young proteges to broaden their horizons and try something a bit different. Most would benefit greatly if they traveled with an open mind and are prepared to work hard.