Top 5 English Test spinners of all time

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Tony Lock

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Whenever one thinks of English bowlers, the things that usually come to mind are green pitches, gloomy weather and fast-medium bowlers dominating batsmen with their swing and seam. While it is true that swing and seam bowlers are generally dominant in England, spinners also come into play later on in the game and hence, it is not a surprise that the country has produced plenty of excellent spinners throughout the course of its rich cricketing history.

Most English Test teams have, over the past 120 odd years, had one or more spin bowlers as a part of their attack and many of them have gone on to become giants of the game. Here is a look at five of the best spinners to have ever played for England.

#5 Tony Lock

Left-arm off-spinner Tony Lock played for England in 49 Test matches stretching over a period of around 16 years and during the course of his career, he emerged as one of the world's leading spin bowlers.

Lock formed the perfect foil for Jim Laker (more on him later) at both Surrey and England. Lock, however, was not a defensive spinner by any means and preferred to attack the batsmen with his variations as well as his subtle changes of length. Lock was an integral part of the great England team of the 1950s when they famously won the Ashes and then retained it.

He took 174 wickets in his Test career at an impressive average of 25.58 and recorded an economy rate of just over two runs an over. He remains one of England's greatest spin bowlers. 

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