Can you use more spinners in your Twenty20 games?

The statistics are on your side. Recently Nasser Hussain observed, that 9 of the top 10 bowlers in international T20 are spinners. He then asked that if spinners are the best bowlers in this format of the game, then why don't we always pick at least two of them as a matter of course, or maybe even three?

Before I decide that for my teams, there are a couple of questions I want to ask.

First, do I have enough guys available to me who are of a high enough standard? Just picking any spinner will never win you games.

Therefore I have to be able to assess the value of spin, verses the value of pace bowling. How do you account for the value of a "decent" spinner against a "gun" quick bowler?

Different conditions means different results

Second, will these stats and this spin dominance be transferable to lower levels of the games?

Will spinners be as effective when pitches aren't as placid for seamers as they often appear to be in international cricket?

Also, as you move down the cricketing pyramid, boundaries aren't as big. As a result we'll often see mishit deliveries go for six in club cricket.

Finally on this point, as we move away front the international game, technology doesn't exist to confirm those LBWs that have boosted the careers of left arm and leg spin bowlers at the highest level.

When a batter is less worried about LBW, the number of options batsmen can use with confidence increases. At the top level sweeping pad first deliveries are more likely to be given out. As a result, spinners economy rate - and ranking - will improve.

While the referrals aren't always used in T20 cricket, it's the same group of players (or similar) who are involved. And more importantly, it's the same group of umpires who see, and work with the referral system day in day out, increasing their willingness to give and LBW decisions in the spinners favour.

Statistics are only part of Twenty20 success

To go back to the original point made by Nasser, we can ask; are the ICC stats a true reflection of a bowlers value?

According to the ICC website, this is all we know:

"Bowlers gain significant credit for economy. A bowler who bowls 10 overs 0-10 is likely to see his rating improve significantly, even if though hasn't taken a wicket."

While T20 is a runs game, I don't think anyone would argue against the value of taking wickets in stunting the run rate is enormous. Would you rather bowl 0 for 16, or, take 4-25?

Also do the stats consider the periods of play when someone bowls? So often spinners bowl through the "safer" middle overs of the innings, and while the odd spinner will try to squeeze an over in at the top of the order, the likelihood of spinners bowling regularly in overs 18-20 is still slim.

So, do the stats account for the fielding restrictions of the power play overs, and do they receive extra credit for a low economy during these restricted times?

How many spinners to pick in Twenty20

Ultimately, there is no single answer to the spinner question. I know that that only I will be able to answer them about my teams. And with the variables being so great, only you can answer about yours.

Personally I've consistently picked three spinners over the last 3 years in Twenty20 cricket, and I won't be changing soon.

What do you think?

How many spinners play in your teams?

How could you change this number based on answering the questions above?

It would be great to hear your thoughts on the applications of spinners in T20 cricket, and your answers to the questions I have posed.

Leave a comment and let's discuss it.

image credit: Edmund Gall