Salisbury relishing title accolade

Ian Salisbury has revelled in the role of lead spin bowler

Ian Salisbury is determined to complete his first season at Warwickshire with the prestigious tag of unbeaten Division Two champions.

The 38-year-old former England leg-spinner has thrived on the responsibility of leading the spin attack at Edgbaston, taking 36 wickets in the limited opportunities afforded by a rain-affected LV County Championship programme.

But Salisbury, who was released by Surrey in the close-season, could be denied the chance to play against either of his former employers in first-class cricket next season if Sussex join Surrey in being relegated from Division One.

He has learned that the skill of spin bowling extends to being patient, and identifying the moment to strike.

“All we’re thinking about is those four points to win the division, and beating Worcestershire, who've also been very strong and deserve promotion," said Salisbury.

“It’s been fantastic, although the weather in this country always prevents a season from being what it can be, so you have to be patient. Things don’t always go your way.

“If you look at my statistics, you’ll see that I’ve taken five five-fors out of 31 wickets, which I think tells you of the art of patience.

"There’s only one other spinner (Ant Botha), so the chances of playing were obviously higher, as were the chances of taking wickets."

Salisbury was at the fore as Warwickshire sealed their promotion against Essex at Chelmsford last week.

After John Maunders (105) and Ravi Bopara (133) put on 241 for Essex's second wicket in the second innings, Salisbury took 6-100, running through the rest of the order and setting up a six-wicket victory.

Salisbury added: “When I was bowling at Maunders and Bopara, they were really playing well, but we got through them and the rest followed.

“We’re unbeaten in 15 matches, which really reflects how hard we are to beat when our backs are against the wall.

“One thing we haven’t done so far is win at home. We’ve drawn every championship game at Edgbaston, in part due to the weather, and it’s a great incentive to be able to beat Glamorgan if we can.

“We’re realistic about where we are though. Either way we’ll be 10th or 11th in the entire championship at the end of the match, so there’s room for improvement."

Tony Frost's (right) renewal as wicketkeeper-batsman culminated with 242 not out against Essex at Chelmsford

Salisbury isn’t bitter about the circumstances of his departure from the Brit Oval.

He played only six championship matches for Surrey in the 2007 season, finding leg-spinner Chris Schofield, left-armer Nayan Doshi and off-spinner Murtaza Hussain ahead of him in the pecking order at various stages.

“I don’t blame Surrey for leaving me out and terminating my contract. Chris Schofield came in and bowled well.

“But the prospect of playing for Warwickshire has given me a renewed vigour.

“I must thank the Warwickshire fitness department. I feel fitter this year than I did in my twenties.

"Ashley Giles has also been crucial. He's brilliant at identifying the small details that go on in a club."

The remarkable comeback of Tony Frost is certainly a story that resonates with Salisbury.

The curly-haired, bespectacled wicketkeeper-batsman has had over a decade on the Warwickshire staff, often as second fiddle to Keith Piper and Tim Ambrose.

Frost decided to retire from playing in 2006, in the hope of taking up a position on the Edgbaston groundstaff, only to be persuaded to come back by director of cricket Ashley Giles when Ambrose was called up by England.

His return seems to have been seamless, with 918 runs in the championship at an average of 91.80, inflated somewhat by his mammoth, career-best 242 not out against Essex.

“I’d played against Tony before this season," said Salisbury. "Then I saw him in the nets in pre-season, and thought, ‘My God, he’s actually very good!’

“He hasn’t looked back. Against Essex, it was monumental. He didn’t hit the ball in the air until right at the end, when we were looking for quick runs.

“It was so defiant that the Essex players starting calling him ‘The Wall’ in honour of Rahul Dravid.

“I hope the club treats him correctly and gives him a benefit year, because he’s been a great servant to the club.

“When we all go on holiday in the close-season, he’ll be there sat on the mower and scarifying the pitch.”