Bangalore Test, Day 4
Saturday, December 22, 2001

Maninder Singh, now 37, a left-arm orthodox spinner, played 35 Tests for India, the first when he was only 17. He and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, both now TV commentators, were supposed to be the future of Indian spin bowling, but after taking seven wickets in an innings against Pakistan in 1987, Maninder lost his loop and faded away.

With his black turban, two Long John Silver gold-hoop ear-rings and a full-beam smile, he sits just as easily in his Doordarshan commentary chair as in his coaching one – at his Delhi academy for young spinners. While the rain fell, the skies glowered and khaki uniforms dabbed ineffectively at the sodden Bangalore outfield, Wisden asked Maninder to cast his eye over England's spinners - Ashley Giles and Richard Dawson.

Maninder on Giles
His ploy of bowling over the wicket into the rough has been a highly successful one as far as Sachin Tendulkar is concerned, but if he came round the wicket I'm sure he'd be more successful. He certainly should have done on this pitch, with his height and bounce and, when he wants to, the ability to turn the ball.

I could never have bowled that line, even when my captain asked me to, because I felt it was a very difficult thing to do. It is very effective but to me it just wouldn't come. I love challenges, but this just makes the game dead. Shane Warne bowled around the wicket to Tendulkar on the Australian tour, but he was bowling to his reputation and was trying to get him out.

Giles is just trying to frustrate him. It does make the game boring, but Nasser Hussain knows that he has limited resources and I think his use of the bowlers has been fabulous.

Maninder on Dawson
I have been very impressed with him. I like his rhythmic run-up and rhythmic action and I think that he has bowled well in both the Tests. He has a lot of potential and I am sure we will see him on the next tour of India.

The one thing he could improve on is the direction of his action. After he finishes bowling his chest tends to go towards the covers. I think a lot of English bowlers fall into this habit, but if he can avoid it he would be more effective. The tip of the nose should be in the direction of the ball as he finishes bowling.

If he works on this he has fabulous potential.

Tanya Aldred, our assistant editor, is covering the whole tour for Wisden.com.

More Roving Reporter
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Waiting for Godot, then a guard of honour

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