The roofer, the schoolboy & the landlord who could SAVE OUR SUMMER

Left-arm wrist spinners from club cricket drafted in to help England cope with India dangerman Kuldeep

team-mate of Blackwell’s when he used to play Essex age group cricket before going on to make a living as a roofer.

He was joined by 16-year-old Sam Wisniewski, who plays for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League, and Akhil Patel, the proprietor of the Caught and Bowled micropub in Nottinghamshire, who turns out for Ilkeston Rutland in the Derbyshire league.

“I played against

Alastair when we were 12-year-olds and he was playing for London Schools,” said Blackwell.

“I got him out first ball once, but that was a long time ago.

“We then became teammates for Essex with Ravi Bopara too.

“I would bowl at players like Tim Bresnan, James Hildreth and Samit Patel.

“I just play club cricket now in the Two Counties league, but the chance to come and bowl at the England boys was an amazing opportunity thanks to our coach Alan Butcher. There aren’t that many of us around so if I can help them get used to the angle and the way the ball comes out that’s great.

“I’ve got a googly but the arm doesn’t get as high as it used to.”

With spin bowling machine Merlyn sitting idly on the sidelines, former Essex, Surrey and Zimbabwe coach Butcher, was at the back of the nets watching on as his bowler put the England batsmen through their paces.

“He’s a very good bowler, and one of the mainstays of our attack,” said Butcher, who played his only Test against India in 1979.

“When I saw what happened in the T20 and ODI I thought I would see if England would like him to bowl in the nets.

“I was a bit concerned Paul Farbrace might think I was taking the mickey to begin with but I’m pleased how he’s gone, he’s bowled quite tidily at them and done a good job.”