UK-based wheelchair-bound former West Indies quick Winston Davis, who is hoping to be at Birmingham for this week's India v England Test, says chinaman bowler Kuldeep is visitors' best weapon for five-Test series
Kuldeep Yadav
The nearest Test ground to Worcestershire-based paralysed former West Indies fast bowler Winston Davis' Bewdley home is Edgbaston. And if arrangements are made for him to travel to Birmingham, he'd be there for the August 1-5 India v England opening Test.
He may know only one member of the Indian squad — head coach Ravi Shastri — whom he played against in three of the six Test series he featured in during his five-year international cricket career. But Davis sure knows that Virat Kohli's team are one of, if not the most, exciting teams in world cricket today.
ADVERTISEMENT
Davis suffered neck-down paralysis after he was felled by a branch of a tree on a trip to his native St Vincent in the Caribbean where he was helping to build a church in 1997. He now moves around in a wheelchair at his UK home. "It's going to be an exciting series. We are experiencing some very dry and hot weather out here and if this continues, it will suit India for sure," says Davis.
Winston Davis
Anybody's series
However, he is not willing to predict a clear-cut series victory for the visitors, something which they have not achieved in England since Rahul Dravid's men clinched the Pataudi Trophy in 2007.
"It's even stevens. Both teams have the fire power and are strong. Remember, England have experienced seam bowlers who can be dangerous. On the other hand, India have a good pace attack."
Davis watched the India v England limited overs series on television and was mighty impressed with the wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav. "Yadav is a fine bowler. Sure, he got some stick in a couple of limited overs games, but come the Tests and he'll be a different kettle of fish. The hot weather will help him as well," he says. "Now, England have got better when it comes to tackling spin bowling, but they are not the best in the world on this front. If Kuldeep gets into rhythm, they will find him difficult to handle. Unless they encounter a green top, India should have two spinners in their playing XI," says Davis, 59.
'India need big runs'
The lanky paceman, who was part of Clive Lloyd's all-conquering squad which annihilated England 5-0 in the summer of 1984, felt much of the onus is on the Indian batsmen. "They must get big runs for their bowlers to strike well. That has not happened for a long time here. There is a lot of talent and ability in the Indian batting line-up, but the ability to deliver at the right time matters," said Davis.
Cricket enthusiasts who followed the 1984 West Indies in England series will recall how Davis cashed in on his only opportunity in that series. While scoring 77, he put on 170 runs for sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Jeff Dujon, an association which helped the West Indies amass 500 in Manchester where the hosts were beaten by an innings and 64 runs.
The last time Davis watched a game at Edgbaston was when Australia and England clashed in a T20 international last month. Leggie Adil Rashid bowled England to victory and Davis would not be disappointed to see yet another fine spin bowling performance at Birmingham by the time this week ends.
Also Read: Ind vs Eng: Virat Kohli will be desperate, says James Anderson
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
