'It's all in the muscle memory' - Graeme Swann opens up on how spinners will fare upon returning to the field

England and West Indies flagged off international amid COVID-19 pandemic as they locked horns in the first match of the three-Test series. Along with the resumption of the sport, fans witnessed a few significant changes to the game.

The Test was the first international match which was played according to the newly-implemented interim ICC regulations, that also included the much-debated saliva ban. The ban on usage of saliva has left the world divided as a large segment of fans believe that the rule completely takes the game away from the bowlers.

With the usage of saliva going out of the window, England pacers were spotted using back saliva at the Ageas Bowl in the first Test. Saliva becomes an essential element for any fast bowler if he wants to generate swing in the air. Talking about spinners, there hasn’t been a real test of spin bowling yet as the English conditions are known for assisting mostly pacers.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann, on the return of spinners in the post-coronavirus world, has said that they won’t have a problem as it’s all in the muscle memory. He opined that spinners will fare well whenever they brace the field after the international break. Swann associated it with ‘riding a bike’ and said that a bowler will certainly remember the feeling when he grips the bowl upon his return to the field.

It’s like riding a bike, you remember how to do it: Graeme Swann

“It’s all in the head, once you get to the top of professional cricket and international cricket as well, you are brilliant in what you do, you are very very good, your body knows exactly what it is doing. It all in your head, no matter how much time these guys have off, muscle memory does not disappear,” said Swann on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.

It’s like riding a bike, you still remember how to do it. So the guys who convince themselves early on, doesn’t matter about rhythm, doesn’t matter about this doesn’t matter about that, how long you have been off, I’m just going to do it, I am going to remember the feeling. For a spinner, just flicking the ball on your fingers at home, that’s enough for me, just make sure the ball still feels the same in your hands,” added Swann, who donned the England jersey in 60 Tests, 79 ODIs and 39 T20Is.

England, meanwhile, after suffering a four-wicket defeat in the first Test, have managed to post a massive 469-run total in the second Test at Manchester. Ben Stokes (176) and Dom Sibley (120) played a crucial role after England were put to bat first by the visitors.