George Dobell on England's shortage of spin bowlers

There's a lot to be said for the cricket journalist George Dobell. He has a record of discomfiting the game's authorities and is both sensible and trenchant in his views.

Here he is on England's decision to rely on spin bowlers with almost no experience, and how the structure of our domestic season has forced them into it.

We're all feeling happier after Ollie Pope's heroics today, but what he says remains true.

Later. England won the game with Tom Hartley taking 7-62 in the second innings. That speaks volumes for Hartley and the England's ability to spot talent, but I still agree with Dobell's comments on the need to change the domestic season so young spinners get a chance to develop.

Trivia fans will be interested to learn that Tom Hartley is the son of Bill Hartley, the British hurdler of the 1970s.