SHOAIB CAN PUT INDIA IN A SPIN

Bashir’s Somerset coach Kerr backs new boy to shine on subcontinent

SHOAIB BASHIR will be England’s ultimate surprise package on their tour to India.

Because if so few people have heard of the England new boy back home, then he will be an absolute mystery to India’s batters too. The 20-year-old was a pre-christmas bolter for England’s touring party, having played only six first-class matches. And his Somerset coach reckons he has magic in his fingers. But he also hopes he is better at bowling on Indian pitches than at keeping secrets. Jason Kerr (above) said: “Shoaib let his selection slip initially by asking me if I was around before he went to India. “He said it would be good to catch up before he goes out there – and this was the day before the squad was announced! “I think India will be busy scouring Youtube videos or the footage of him on the ECB website from the Lions camp before Christmas. “Because, if not many people knew about him here, I’m pretty sure they won’t have a clue who he is.” Bashir’s call-up caught everyone on the hop. Not least the player himself, who not too long ago was wondering if he had a future in the sport at all. The young off-spinner was released by Surrey at 17 and spent a season playing National Counties cricket for Berkshire before Somerset picked him up.

It is a world away from the kind of frenzied atmosphere that will greet him in cricket-crazy India later this month.

But Kerr has no doubt that he has the mental strength to cope with whatever comes his way.

He will also have county colleague Jack Leach (below) to help him through a tour that will test him to the limit.

Kerr added: “He’s a great kid, has a great work ethic and seems to take everything in his stride. “He has so many attributes. He’s tall, gets a ridiculous amount of revs on the ball, has massive hands and is incredibly likeable.

“There were a lot of things you wanted to invest in.

“He’s capable of bowling magic balls, no doubt about that. I don’t think he and Leachy have played together, the first time that might happen is if they play together for England.

“They have a great relationship anyway. Leachy has been great with Bash, super-supportive.

“The last six months have been really tough for Leachy, having missed out on the Ashes with a stress fracture of the back, but he is in a great place.

“Now he has a team-mate as a squad member. If you look at the current regime, Brendon Mccullum and Ben Stokes are prepared to make brave decisions.

“From Bash’s point of view, it’s a brilliant opportunity to learn. If he gets the nod, fantastic – but as an experience it’s one you can’t put a price on.”