Thinking about the amount of spin nowadays – and therefore the amount of exposures to it that keepers get, I looked at Moeen Ali and Jim Laker. I’m not suggesting that the two are comparable in quality, but as our current Test off-spinner one presumes that Ali is the best we currently have, whilst no one would dispute Jim’s status.
Looking at first class (including Tests) returns, Ali has currently played for 15 seasons (I was surprised it is that long) and has bowled 263.3 overs per year (.3 meaning 3 balls), taking 24.53 wickets per year at an average of 37.94.
Over his 18 year first class career, Laker sent down 938.4 overs per year, taking 108 wickets per year at an average of 18.41.
The disparity in the amount of bowling (never mind the quality, feel the width) is enormous. Even if you add in the bowling Ali has done in 50 and 20 over games, he has only bowled 378 overs a year, taking 42.5 wickets a year at an average of 37.80.
Looking at those numbers, it is hardly surprising that our batsmen often struggle against spin, and our keepers seem happier standing back than at the stumps – they don’t see enough of it.
Mike