England’s batting coach, Graham Thorpe reckons that sweeping can be a convenient option to negotiate the Indian spinners but Joe Root and his men will need to employ it as sanely as possible in the upcoming four-match Test series. India has often subjected touring teams to a trial by spin and batsmen who can execute the sweep shot have fared better on those turning tracks.

Thorpe called it a “handy shot to have” but warned the touring batsmen cannot just begin sweeping at the sight of the spinners. During a virtual press conference ahead of the Chennai Test scheduled to be commencing on February 5, Graham Thorpe said, “Sometimes the surface might not turn straightaway in India.”

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He further added, “Sometimes the game can stretch out and they might start to turn on day three or beyond day three. Understanding when and how to operate with the sweep shot is important to be able to maneuver the field, put fielders in places where maybe the bowler really doesn’t want them, which then gives you another opportunity to rotate the strike.”

The former Test cricketer was of the opinion felt England need not look beyond skipper Joe Root for a template on how to negate the Indian spinners. 

Explaining the same, Thorpe said, “I think he gets himself into a good position. I think he looks for the line and the length of the delivery and then chooses where he’s able to put it — there are fine sweep, square sweep, and slog sweep. Being in a really good position to execute is the key to it.”

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Thorpe also warned his team not to underestimate India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah. The Chepauk stadium hosts the first two Tests with the next two, including a pink-ball test, scheduled in Ahmedabad.