Spinner Zafar Ansari hoping for an England Test debut this week
Wednesday 26 October 2016 10:26, UK
Surrey spinner Zafar Ansari says he is ready to make his debut if called upon for England's second Test against Bangladesh, which starts in Dhaka on Friday.
England secured an exciting 22-run victory in the opening Test but may make changes for Dhaka, and the option of using Ansari as a fourth spinner has been mooted.
And Ansari told Sky Sports News HQ he is ready for the challenge if he gets the nod to make his Test bow.
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"Hopefully I do get a go," he said. "I suppose it depends partly on the wicket and also on whether players need a rest or not.
"I'm hopeful but over the next couple of days I will try to prove myself in the nets and, if the opportunity comes, then great.
"I think it is always going to be a nerve-wracking experience but I feel as ready as I ever have been.
"And I am coming into a nice environment, a relatively protective environment in terms of the personnel involved, and I think that's really helpful as a young debutant."
If a turning wicket is provided, the pressure will be on the spinners to perform, but Ansari says he is not overly concerned.
"If there are four of you, you can disperse that pressure to some extent," he added.
"And also it is one of those situations where all you can do is what you try to do in every match and put the ball in the right place, spin it as much as you can, and see where it goes from there.
"If the wickets come, then great. If not, as I always tell myself, you can only do your best."
