October 06, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 06, 1429

BIRMINGHAM (England), Oct 5: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed said he could start as England’s spin-bowling coach from next month after being asked by head coach Peter Moores to help develop the team’s options.

The 38-year-old Mushtaq, who was on Pakistan’s World Cup-winning team in 1992, could start part time and is also considering an offer to work with his former county team Sussex. He is yet to sign a contract for either role.

“Peter Moores asked me if I can spare some time during the summer [in 2009] or winter to work with the young England spinners and also the main spinners [in the senior team],” Mushtaq told The Associated Press from Lahore.

“It is about making an average talent into a good talent, or a good talent into a great talent. First, they have to spin the ball – that is the basic requirement – then other things like aggression, having the confidence and variety comes after.”

Mushtaq, who took 185 wickets in 52 tests, was Bob Woolmer’s assistant coach with Pakistan for two spells, the last at the 2007 World Cup. He had to retire from playing at first-class level during the recent English season due to a chronic knee injury, but will continue to play Twenty20 cricket in the non ICC sanctioned Indian Cricket League.

“My agent is doing the deal with the [England and Wales Cricket Board], so until anything is officially agreed I don’t know when I will be starting or what I will be doing. But Peter suggested there might be an opportunity for me to work with their academy players in India after I complete my ICL commitments in November,” Mushtaq said.

“I would be happy to work with players across the board, from the senior England team to youth sides or county second teams.”

Moores was Mushtaq’s coach when Sussex won its first County Championship in 2003, with Mushtaq taking 103 wickets for the club _ the first time a county bowler had claimed 100 wickets in a season for five years.

“I believe there are more opportunities for spin-bowling talent in England than in Asia, which may surprise people, but it is then a matter of how you nurture and develop that talent,” Mushtaq said. “I saw a very good prospect at Hampshire [Liam Dawson], there is Adil Rashid at Yorkshire. Of course there’s Monty, and I know there are plenty of other spinners out there in county second teams.”

England have failed to discover a world-class spinner since Derek Underwood, who played from the 1960s to the 80s. Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is England’s best current option, having taken 114 wickets in 33 Tests at 31.95 each.

Mushtaq believes he can help Panesar become a more dangerous bowler on pitches that don’t turn.

“Monty has proved himself a match winner who has bowled beautifully and who does a great job for England,” he said. “But there is always room for improvement. If he takes five wickets I would ask, ‘Why not seven?’

“I would like to help him become as good a player on flat wickets as on turning wickets.”

Moores did not answer his mobile phone when contacted by The AP for comment.—AP