Sibley's double ton against Ashwin means he can play spin, says Darren Gough

MANCHESTER: Former England fast-bowler Darren Gough has jumped into defense of batsman Dominic Sibley after the latter came under spotlight for his relatively slow batting against spinners in the three-match Test series against West Indies.

Although Sibley has been in prolific form for the hosts, having scored couple of fifties and one century, critics have pointed towards his batting against the spinners in the series.

Gough, however, stated that if someone can score a double century against a team which has India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the line-up, his credentials can't be questioned.

Gough was talking about Sibley's double century for Warwickshire against Nottinghamshire during last year's County season with Ashwin being one of the bowlers in the opposite team.

"People keep telling me he can't play against spin," Gough said on Sky Sports' show The Cricket Debate. "I got told the other day that he got a double hundred against Ashwin.

"Ashwin is one of the best spinners in the world, if not the best, and he got a double against him and smacked him to all parts apparently. So, if he can play against Ashwin and get a double, he's good enough for me!" he added.

Sibley has so far played nine Test matches for England in which he has scored over 500 runs, including two hundreds and two half-centuries. IANS

Also watch: Anti-CAA Protest in Naharkatia