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Bangladesh v England: Dawson? Batty? Who should tour as third spinner?

Gareth Batty and Liam Dawson

As England head to the subcontinent to take on Bangladesh and India this winter, the expectation is that Alastair Cook's side will go in with two spinners in their XI on tracks that are likely to offer plenty of turn.

Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will almost certainly fill those spots for the start of the Bangladesh Test series but it remains to be seen who will take up the third spin position in the squad.

It may look like a non-playing position at present but given Moeen's struggles with the ball over the summer and that Rashid averaged almost 70 in the UAE against Pakistan last autumn, there is every possibility that a third spinner may be called upon at some stage.

So what options are available for the England selectors?

Liam Dawson

Liam Dawson of England celebrates with Jason Roy after Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka is run out
Image: Liam Dawson took an impressive 3-27 on his England T20I debut
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Hampshire left-armer Liam Dawson would appear to be the simplest choice having established himself in England's white-ball set up, making his ODI and T20I debuts over the summer.

However, it has been a difficult season for Dawson in four-day cricket, with Hampshire struggling towards the bottom of Division One for much of the summer. He has taken only 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average approaching 47.

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Jack Leach

Jack Leach of Somerset bowls during the County Championship clash with Durham
Image: Jack Leach has been key to Somerset's County Championship challenge

There have been no such worries for Somerset or Jack Leach though. The 25-year-old left-armer has been in fine form for the Taunton side, claiming 52 wickets at a fraction under 24 with best figures of 6-42 - one of four occasions on which he has taken five or more wickets in an innings.

Where there may be a concern about Leach is his batting. With England seemingly keen for all players to be able to contribute with the bat, they may be reluctant to call up Leach, with a top score 43 in 34 first class innings and an average of just 12.20.

Zafar Ansari

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02:  Zafar Ansari of Surrey bowls a delivery on day two of the LV County Championship Division Two match between Surrey and Der
Image: Zafar Ansari was unfortunate to miss out on England's touring party last year due to injury

Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari was all set to travel out to the UAE with England for the Pakistan Test series last autumn before dislocating his thumb just hours after receiving the call-up. The 24-year-old required surgery and, as a result, missed the tour.

Having recovered, the left-arm spinner has made 10 championship appearances this season with respectable rather than spectacular figures for the summer, picking up 22 wickets at 30.72. He has been less effective with the bat though, a top score of 53 and an average of just 25.86 representing a disappointing return.

Gareth Batty

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Gareth Batty of Surrey bowls during day two of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match between Surrey and Durham at
Image: Could Gareth Batty be set for a Test cricket swansong at the age of 38?

Staying with Surrey and while Gareth Batty may not be a long-term option, he would provide England with another experienced head in the squad. The 38-year-old off-spinner has taken 11 wickets in his seven Tests, the last of which came in 2005, but has performed well in the County Championship this season - his 41 wickets coming at 31.21.

Samit Patel is another with previous Test experience and fulfilled a similar role last year in the UAE while Warwickshire's Josh Poysden, 25, could provide an alternative leg-spin option to Rashid having impressed when called upon in four-day cricket this summer.

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