IND vs ENG 2024: “You don’t even have to think about flight or guile” – Tom Hartley confident of doing well in Test series

England’s rookie spinner Tom Hartley expressed optimism of doing well in the upcoming five-match Test series against India. Hartley has snared 40 wickets in 20 first-class match at an average of 36.57 and thus he doesn’t have a lot of experience under his belt.

The young spinner is also yet to make his Test debut for the English team. Hartley feels he doesn’t even have to think about flight or guile while bowling on favorable Indian pitches.

Along with Hartley, England selectors have picked Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir as their spin attack in their squad. Hartley is confident of making the most of the Indian conditions by bowling in the right areas.

“I’ve only been to India once but the pitches just allow you to fire it in, you don’t even have to think about flight or guile or anything like that. You just let the pitch do the work. In county cricket the pitches are a lot flatter, so spinners have to use their wits a bit more, whereas in India you’re the one who’s meant to be in control. If you’re firing it in and hitting the seam, you’ll be ragging it past the edge,” said Hartley while talking to Wisden Cricket Monthly.

“The conditions will be in my favour, I bowl similar to what their boys do, so there’s no reason why I should be scared, you’ve just got to bowl at what’s in front of you. I’m round about mid-50s mph, but with my height, I can’t really go up and down, my trajectory is normally down just because of my height, but that’s not a bad thing, it just makes me bowl that little bit quicker,” he added.

The left-arm orthodox spinner revealed he has got a carrom ball under his repertoire and he will look to deliver his best for the visitors.

“I’ve got a ‘carrom’ ball. It’s almost there. It’s easy to bowl it in the nets, I’ve bowled it a few times in county cricket and a bit in white ball, but with the style of play that England are after, given a chance, hopefully I’ll flick it out for yer,” said Hartley.

The first Test match between India and England will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad from 25 January onwards.