England want Saqlain Mushtaq to help their spinners on India tour

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Tom Collomosse29 July 2016

England hope to rehire Saqlain Mushtaq as their spin coach for at least a part of the winter tour of India.

Saqlain, the former Pakistan off-spinner, spent last week working with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid prior to the Second Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford. He also assisted Moeen during the match.

Both slow bowlers gave positive reports about Saqlain, persuading the England coaching team, and managing director Andrew Strauss, that he is worth recruiting again. The matches in India, comprising five Tests and six limited-overs games either side of Christmas, have been identified as the ideal time.

England won their Test series in India four years ago but it was the first time they had done so in 28 years — and on that tour, their spinners were Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, who were both experienced international bowlers.

Moeen is still struggling to develop as a front-line off-spinner while Rashid, a leg-spinner, has played only three Tests.

England bowler Adil Rashid (r) chats with spin bowling coach Saqlain Mushtaq  Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Stu Forster/Getty Images

England feel that if they are to succeed against expert players of spin, they will need the guidance of someone like Saqlain, one of the finest of his era.

Standard Sport revealed last week that England would ideally hire a permanent spin coach but until they can settle on a suitable, available candidate, they will continue to bring in specialists series by series.

Both Robert Croft, the former England spinner, and ex-New Zealand star Daniel Vettori have worked for the ECB in the past 12 months.

England have also sought to involve prominent ex-players with the Test side and their former fast bowler, Andy Caddick, will spend time with the squad at Edgbaston on Monday as they prepare for the Third Investec Test, which starts on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, England hopeful Scott Borthwick is thought to have held talks with Surrey about joining the county next summer.

The Durham batsman is a contender for a Test spot after an impressive season and has attracted interest from a number of counties.

Borthwick, 26, also bowls leg-spin and has played one Test, the defeat against Australia in Sydney in January 2014 that sealed the 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

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