Surrey backing axed Salisbury

David Lloyd13 April 2012

Ian Salisbury, unceremoniously cast aside by England, is guaranteed a unanimous show of support when he reports back for duty at The Oval.

While the rest of the country apparently expected nothing more than confirmation that Salisbury had been axed from Nasser Hussain's squad in mid-winter, Surrey loyally clung to the hope that their leg-spinner would be given a chance to put his Pakistan experience behind him and start afresh in Sri Lanka come February.

Only Graeme Hick, though, seems to have more lives than a cat and figures of one for 193 from 69 overs spread across three Tests added up to the end of Salisbury's latest, and most probably last, attempt to prosper as an international bowler.

In truth, even Surrey were saddened rather than stunned by yesterday's news from Lord's.

But, unlike some judges, the county champions have seen enough evidence to know that Salisbury's failure to make a mark on Test cricket is not only bad news for the player himself.

"It's disappointing all round because he could give England so much," said Surrey coach Keith Medlycott. "I'm not going to knock the selectors because they are paid to make decisions and things are going pretty well at the moment.

"But I just feel for Ian. No one has a divine right to play for their country and he'll be disappointed to have taken only one wicket in three Tests.

"A judgment has been made on him this winter. It could be viewed as a bit harsh. I just hope England have replaced him with potential match-winners."

Whether off-spinners Robert Croft and Jason Brown can do more remains to be seen. Certainly, they should be given plenty of opportunity in Sri Lanka and it is possible both of them could join Ashley Giles in the team during the three-Test series.

As for Salisbury, who first represented his country eight years ago, being part of the side that defeated Pakistan in such dramatic circumstances in Karachi is a memory well worth clinging to.

"Ian Salisbury played a full part as a member of our victorious team in Pakistan," agreed chairman of selectors David Graveney. "While the door is certainly not closed on him for the future we felt he had a difficult time with the ball on tour and we needed to look at other options."

Realistically, though, the last big moment on the international front has come and gone for Salisbury.

But, having been dropped by England in 1998, he contributed significantly to Surrey's back-to-back championship triumphs of 1999 and 2000.

"Ian has lifted his chin off the floor before and I'd like to think he will again," said Medlycott.

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