Give us a twirl: England’s spin bowlers are turning heads in India

With Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, there is cause for optimism that an English spin cupboard thought to be bare is now relatively well stocked, writes Vithushan Ehantharajah

Bess during day three of the first Test between India and England in Chennai (ECB)

England’s 2-1 victory away to India in 2012 will stand the test of time. It was the first series win of Alastair Cook’s captaincy and, more remarkably, a first in India since 1984-85. This achievement was put into context, not just by that piece of history but the 4-0 defeat on the next tour in 2016.

The deciding factors in 2012 were Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, complementary finger spinners who offered different threats. Swann, an off-spinner turning it one way; Panesar, a left-arm orthodox bowler, the other. Both out-performed the home side’s twirlers, with 20 and 17 wickets, respectively.

That success was not so much viewed as a blueprint but the culmination of the careers of two of the country’s best modern spinners. Nine years on, England are aiming to recreate that magic with two bowlers at the early stages of their careers, supplemented by one who has carried the torch since 2013, when Swann and Panesar played the last matches of their careers.