Giles: 'England need old heads'

Date released: 6 February 2009

England selector Ashley Giles Speaking exclusively to Lords.org, England selector Ashley Giles says England must not rush youngsters, like Adil Rashid, into the team, despite the temptations.

Just settling into his new, dual roles as Director of Cricket at Warwickshire and part-time England selector, Ashes winner Giles took time out to talk to Lords.org.

We'll publish snippets from the interview over the next few days; starting today with his views on getting a successful blend of youth and experience in the England team.

• Listen to the first part of our exclusive interview (4.5 MB)

Keep up-to-date with Lords.org to hear Giles talk about:

• Which young players he's watching
• This summer's Ashes
• The Pietersen/Moores fall-out
• The future of Test cricket... and much more.

Spin: 'A lonely job'

As a spinner himself Giles admits he always has one eye on the development of England's spinners, currently Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and Adil Rashid who is rapidly approaching his 21st birthday.

Giles: 'Adil Rashid is very exciting' "There's good competition in the spin department. We all want Monty to be firing because when he is - what an asset to have.

"But Adil Rashid is very exciting. He's a leggy with good control, who gets hundreds batting in the middle order. We've not had many of them, so that's exciting.

"And we shouldn't forget Graeme Swann who went to India, on debut and performed very well.

"Mushy [England new spin bowling coach, Mustaq Ahmed] can only help. He's been a great servant to cricket.

"I think one of the things I missed out on in the England team was, not so much a spin bowling coach, but a spin bowler to talk to.

"Someone who was outside the competition in the team. Someone you can run tactics past, feelings - because it is a very different job being the one spinner. It's a one man job much like the wicket-keeper.

"It can be quite a lonely place at times and I think Mushy can really help in that department.

'It's all about timing'

"It's all about timing. You've got to have experience, you've got have quality. Character is a massive asset when playing cricket, particularly at Test level.

"We need to know what they're like in a team environment, how they train, how they go about their business, what they're like when they're away from home. It's a tough business now, being on the road all the time.

"When you've done that, gaps open up in sides because of injury or form but you can't afford just to throw six or seven youngsters in. You need to try and bleed them in at the right time. That's the timing issue.

"When do you start to ease a youngster in or, with an older guy, start to ease him out of the equation? It can be tricky.

England's batting line-up

In with a shout: 'Vaughan has great credentials' Former England captain Michael Vaughan spoke to Lords.org about his aims to get back into the England side last week: Vaughan: 'I'm aiming for Lord's'

"You need some experience in there to welcome the youngsters in, take a bit of pressure off them - that's the job of the senior players." Giles said.

"Michael Vaughan has great credentials - he's England's most successful captain. He's not someone I'd ever write off.

"I think Vaughany knows he's got to go away and get lots of runs with Yorkshire. That's his opportunity to really lay down a marker and get back in the England team.

"If he does that, who's to say he won't be back in the side? Particularly with such a big summer coming up.

"There's decent competition there in the batting with Owais Shah doing so well and Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Andy Flintoff - competition's healthy.

"Vaughany will know, as an older player, you've got to try and stay one step ahead of the younger players who are creeping up behind you.

Back your best XI

"Consistency of selection is important. The last thing you want is to be changing the team every other day.

Owais Shah: 'Doing everything he can' "Players pick up on those vibes very quickly. You have a bad innings or two and you start to think 'Is the axe going to come down on me?' - you don't need that.

"We were very strong as a team when I played under [Duncan] Fletcher who backed his players and understood they'd go through peaks and troughs.

"If they're the best players, you back them and run with them.

"Owais is doing everything he can at the moment, knocking the runs out. It's up to everyone else to stay one step ahead.

Keep up-to-date with Lords.org to hear more of our exclusive Ashley Giles interview.