World spin bowling in Crisis?

The arm ball that doesn't spin but zips on off the pitch is every bit as dangerous as a doosra, for the same reason. People seemed to forget basics to some extent - Harbhajan Singh is a good example - he seemed far more dangerous before he got carried away with the idea of getting it to go the other way.

Also, the return of the off-spinner is a reflection of the increased number of left-handed batsmen in world cricket. Cricket is an arms race really, and lefties were a response to changing attacks, and the attacks have changed again in response.

Yes, a good spinner doesn't even need a doosra.

Warnie took 40 wickets in the 05 Ashes, beating the bat on both sides by simply bowling two variations - the one that turns away from the RHB and beats him on the outside, and the slider that skids straight on a beats the RHB on the inside, playing for the spin.

Swanny is currently cashing in with the same two variations - but to LHBs.

Although if you listened to Warne, there were about 6 different variations!

It's the advantage someone who appreciably turns the ball has - that when it doesn't go, it's horrible to play. The art of a spinner is kidology, and Warne was the best at it. Swann's no Warne of course, but he's a clever, clever bowler.

More like Pakistani batting against straight rubbish darts in serious crisis.

I hope Akmal is tearing his hair out for getting stumped to that ball.