Raring to go

England flopped against India in the ODIs but Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes and Tom Maynard are all good prospects. By Vic Marks.

Danny Briggs

It was odd — and probably daft — that England should undertake to play against India in India without having two specialist spinners in their side (Samit Patel does not count). Rather than select Danny Briggs in the squad they opted for Scott Borthwick of Durham — a straw-clutching exercise since he is not a regular bowler for his county in one-day cricket. Briggs has limitations — he is not a prodigious spinner of the ball — but he also has form for Hampshire, especially on turning pitches. He is accurate, calm and combative. Had he been in India, he would surely have played.

Chris Woakes

Was in India but fell injured. In the long run Chris Woakes may have more to offer than Jade Dernbach in 50-over cricket. Dernbach's assortment of slower balls, so liberally used — and so easily spotted by batsmen of class — are a better bet in 20-over cricket.

The India seamers showed the virtue of moving the ball in the air and at his best Woakes can do that. He also relishes a duel with the man at the other end. And, which is obviously important to this regime since they preferred Borthwick to Briggs, he can bat.

Jos Buttler

What do we see in Jos Buttler? He is still very inexperienced with much to learn. He clearly has talent. However, what probably excites the selectors even more is that he has composure. He thinks clearly in a run chase, which is evidently not the case with some of the England lineup after that lemming-like performance in Kolkata. Not for the first time Buttler's composure was on display in Somerset's Lord's final in September. His keeping is still a work in progress but may yet be of value — but don't ask him to open the batting.

Tom Maynard

He is certainly still raw, but Tom Maynard has some of the necessary attributes, namely that he hits the ball incredibly hard in the middle order. Clearly he has benefited from leaving Cardiff to become one of the young guns for Surrey at The Oval. His father, Matthew, never quite exploited his special talents to the full. So far Ben Stokes, another prodigy, has looked ill at ease in an England shirt. Perhaps young Maynard will feel more comfortable than his Durham counterpart. After this tour we may not have to wait so long to find out.