I now have just the two more spots to fill plus a 12th man. At least one of those spots will be filled by a spinner, and the other spot possibly by a second spinner or most probably Shaun Pollock, or perhaps another quick bowler. If only 1 spinner is picked in the team, the 12th man will be another spin bowler, however if 2 spinners are picked in the 11, Clyde Walcott will be the 12th man in the team. A captain and vice-captain will also be chosen at the end of the selections.

Now the spinners spots will be chosen from Jim Laker (England), Bill O'Reilly (Australia), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Shane Warne (Australia) or Clarrie Grimmett (Australia).

Clarrie Grimmett      216 wkts at 24.21    557 runs at 13.92
Jim Laker             193 wkts at 21.24    676 runs at 14.08
Muttiah Murilitharan  437 wkts at 23.52    746 runs at 12.22
Bill O'Reilly         144 wkts at 22.59    410 runs at 12.81
Shane Warne           491 wkts at 25.90   2238 runs at 16.82

Clarrie Grimmett was a kiwi born who migrated to Australia, with a strange action who was very unjustly treated by Australian Cricket Officials. Battled to get his spot in the Australian team then got dropped after taking 44 wickets in a 5 test series. Was a great bowler but what must be noted is that his record against England is ordinary (106 wkts at 32) and his matches against South Africa and West Indies in which he averages under 20 against both teams brought his career average down significantly. He did average in excess of 40 in losing teams. I did have big things in mind for him but after seeing his record against England it has put doubts in my mind as to whether he can lay claim to the best spinner ever, which is who will get this position.

Jim Laker is most famous for his 19-wicket haul in a test against Australia. A good off spinner, who flighted the ball well and turned it a fair way, on his day was as good as any. Has the best average of any of these 5 players, and has a good strike rate and economy rate. Has a good record against all teams, especially Australia, however has a significant strength at home (ave. 18 at home, ave. 28 away). That will probably cost him a chance in getting into this team, but his brilliant career average and his record late in matches is something that can't be ignored.

Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the most controversial cricketers ever. IMO he is a chucker, but seen as though he is playing he must be judged on his achievements. Has the highest rate of getting 10wkt matches from this list (1 in every 7 matches), which is a big plus as the spinner must be a devesting bowler. Muralitharan though has a shocking record against Australia (22 wkts at 41.90 from 7 tests), which would most likely cost him a spot in this team, while India have the wood on him. His 12 tests against Zimbabwe, which have notched up truckloads of wickets does give a bit of falsity to his overall record. A great bowler, but does struggle against the best.

Bill O'Reilly is a quick flat leg spinner; he got lots of bounce, but could turn the ball on his day. Doesn't have a great strike rate (69) but his economy rate is the best out of the 5. Has performed well against all teams on all surfaces. Struggled win his team wasn't winning, but for a spinner this is often a sign of how much the team relied upon him, as all 5 bowlers have significantly stronger records when they're team is winning. (None of the bowlers average below 30 in drawn or lost matches). The frontrunner so far.

Shane Warne is a legend of the game. The biggest thing ever to happen to cricket. Turns the ball miles, has a brilliant flipper and other variation balls. Combined with heaps of wickets, a pretty good average (25.70 - although the weakest of this lot) and a fantastic strike rate (60.57). Warne hasn't had the most fun on the sub continent and has also struggled against the West Indies. Devastating at the end of the innings, with his performances often contributing to the downfall of the opposition.

Bill O'Reilly has grabbed the spinners spot, while Laker and Warne are pretty even for the second spinner spot. They will also be battling with Shaun Pollock or Wasim Akram for the fifth bowler.