Spinners Look to Turn Balls, & Matches

Turning balls can turn the game; and that’s what Nepali spinners are looking forward to doing for their country when the U-19 Cricket World Cup begins in Colombo on February 5.

The national team boasts of three spinners, a balanced combination of right and left-handers who could prove to be trump cards when Nepal takes on countries that are considered susceptible to spinners in the turning tracks of the Indian sub-continent. England, Zimbabwe and Ireland, the first round opponents, are not known for their heroics against the turning ball.

“England is a strong team, but if the batsmen will get a defendable total, we can beat it,” Ratan Rauniyar, the off-spinner believed. “We know they will struggle against spin,” Shashi Keshari, another off-break bowler, added.

Ratan and Shashi both played the last U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh so has the other spinner in the team – Raj Shreshta, the left-arm spinner. They form, along with part-time spinners in Sharad Vesawkar and Basant Regmi, a formidable spin attack that could spin any match in favor of Nepal.

“Our experience will help us do well,” Raj believed. All three were new in the last edition and only focused on bowling well. “I have already played five matches in Sri Lanka, and I feel we can do well on flat wickets there,” the 18-year-old said.

Raj was the captain of Nepali U-15 side in 2002 when Nepal beat Bangladesh to reach the semifinals before losing to eventual winner Pakistan. He was appointed the captain of Asia Select XI U-15 team for his 18 wickets in eight matches. He hasn’t repeated the performance in a few U-19 matches he played taking only six wickets in seven matches but he is economical costing only 2.12 runs per over. “I haven’t got many opportunities,” he said. “I hope this time I will prove myself.”

Shashi was lucky to get directly into the team for Bangladesh despite missing the qualifying event in Karachi, Pakistan. He has already played nine matches taking seven wickets and has captained Nepal U-15 team for ACC Cup victory last year. His greatest contribution for Nepali cricket came against South Africa in 2004 when he scored unbeaten 13 runs as the last batsman and brought a famous victory for Nepal with a straight driven four.

“Then I was inexperienced,” Shashi remembered. “Now, I have leant strategies to bowl well.” The 18-year-old idealizes Australian great Shane Warne and hope to win matches for Nepal. “We have beaten a Test nation for last two events and we want to continue that.”

Sunsari’s Ratan too believes the experience he has gained since making his debut in 2003 would help him to get wickets. “I just wanted to bowl well, on line and length, earlier, but now I look for wickets,” he said adding that with perfect spotting and length, Nepali spinners have a chance to shine in Sri Lanka.

Ratan is the most successful in terms of wickets among the spinners. His 12 wickets in 9 matches has so far been a support to pacers which he hopes to continue. “If the pacers bowl well, we will be at ease,” he added. “But I think even if our opponents get past the pace attack, they have to struggle more with spin.”