Dalrymple hopes spin will win

Jamie Dalrmple © Getty Images

Jamie Dalrymple is hoping England’s early taste of Caribbean conditions is a signal that spin could be a crucial weapon in the World Cup.

The off-spinning all-rounder top scored for England with 76 from 79 balls during England’s emphatic 241-run triumph over Bermuda in Monday’s opening warm-up match.

His contribution down the order helped England to a competitive 286 for eight against the tournament minnows, but his role as a spinner in the side could be equally as important over the coming weeks.

Heavyweight left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock gained considerable turn during England’s innings and although Dalrymple did not get a chance to bowl as Bermuda slumped to 45 all out, he believes spin could be a key weapon.

“It could be very indicative of how spin could be important in this tournament,” said Dalrymple.

“A lot comes into it for spinners and how much pressure a batsman is under makes a huge difference, but it looked like there was some genuine turn there and that makes the game a lot more interesting for a spinner.”

Jamie Dalrymple made an important 76 against Bermuda in St Vincent © Getty Images

England had a light workout on Tuesday as they begin the build-up to Friday’s final warm-up match against Australia and although it is not an official one-day international with both sides able to play 13 players, Dalrymple believes it will still be keenly contested.

“We’ll be going into it with all guns blazing,” he admitted. “It’s an important game for us to get a little bit more used to the conditions and lots of us will be keen to get time out in the middle.

“If we got another victory against them it would be another boost for us and it would also ask more questions of them and put them under pressure.”

He added: “Things have moved on pretty smoothly since the one-day series in Australia and there is some real confidence around the squad.

“We learnt a lot about ourselves and how we play during that series and now it’s about how we prepare and producing good performances again in the tournament.”