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Legendary former fast bowler Michael Holding is cautioning against discounting the value of spin at the upcoming 50-over Cricket World Cup in England and Wales, even if conditions are likelier to suit quicker bowlers.

Last Wednesday, the West Indies named a 15-member squad for the May 30 to July 14 cricket showpiece, which is deep in pace bowling potential but not as rich in the spin department.

In the absence — through a reported finger injury — of superstar spinner Sunil Narine, the off-break bowler Ashley Nurse is the lone, universally recognised specialist spinner included.

“Talking in theory, one spinner, these days, in a squad of 15 is a little bit low in count. I think most teams would be taking two spinners,” the Jamaican Holding told the Jamaica Observer yesterday, while noting he is not equipped to speak about specific West Indies selections since he has had little to no interaction with regional cricket in recent years.

It is believed the middle order batsman Fabian Allen, a handy left-arm orthodox spinner, is included in the West Indies squad mainly for his bowling, while veteran opener Christopher Gayle, who bowls off spin, is the other notable slow-bowling option available to Captain Jason Holder.

“The part-time thing doesn't work that well in One-Day cricket anymore. Part-timers [tend to] go for a lot of runs these days,” argued the 65-year-old Holding, who claimed 249 wickets in 60 Test matches in addition to 142 victims in 102 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/holding-advises-teams-to-value-spin-threat-at-world-cup_163386?profile=1511

Sorry Uncle Mike but all our spin bowlers are considered part-timers, Nurse included.

Veerasammy Permaul should've been selected.

In reply to Seechy

I cannot blame Narine, he is taking care of bread and butter issues for he cannot afford to get call again on his bowling action. Its not like CWI is a loyal bunch to players, look at the waste of Miller career. Arguably one of the best spinner in the region who topped the competition for almost 5 years straight.

Selectors made a big mistake in omitting R Cornwall from the squad.

In reply to Star

Of course, Cornwall is our first option if we want our best in class spin bowling. He is better in every way than Nurse and Allen (Allen is a better fielder than Jimbo). But, I am simply keeping quiet right now.

I fully expect Jimbo to get his first run for WI when India come visiting later in the year.

In reply to Star

In reply to imusic