Ian Salisbury Photo © AllSport UK

Ian Salisbury was a name that failed to appear on any list when the nation's leading commentators drew up their choices for the winter touring parties.

Apart, that is, from the list that mattered most. Having seen him bowl twice during the season, Australian legend Shane Warne tipped Salisbury as the spinner who would give England their best chance on Pakistan wickets.

Salisbury was flattered especially since he had been thinking, like others, that his place as England's best leg-spinning option had been surrendered for good to the contracted youngster Chris Schofield of Lancashire.

So when Keith Medlycott's mobile phone rang as Salisbury was bowling at Alec Stewart in the nets one day, Salisbury was surprised to see the Surrey coach running over to ask him to call David Graveney. Oh and by the way, congratulations, Medleycott grinned

" I was not expecting it at all but in the back of my mind was thinking that this would be my very last chance. I was dead chuffed," said the Surrey leg-spinner who has won 12 England caps, taken 19 Test wickets and made 284 runs including a half-century against Pakistan in 1992.

Both Salisbury and Warne have been coached by the Australian spinning guru Terry Jenner and the pair were keen to meet last season to swap tales. Sadly, the meeting never took place.

"We had a misunderstanding with our arrangements to meet after the game in Southampton but he had dinner with Adam Hollioake and relayed some comments back, mainly about my follow through and about a ball he thinks I should work on.

"We had great fun playing against each other – friendly rivalry. He's a great bloke and brings so much to the game," Salisbury said.

Normally, Salisbury winters in Sydney where he plays grade cricket for the University. This winter, when he returns to Pakistan, there will be a familiar feel to it.

"My last overseas tour was an England A trip to Pakistan in 1995. It was the second time I'd been there and Nasser Hussain was my captain.

"I think it was the first time he had captained and I was very impressed although that is going to sound really creepy. He played really well and his communication with his players was brilliant. I thought then that if he ever gets to be England captain, he would do a good job.

"I think he has learned a lot from other people, mainly from their mistakes but I'm looking forward to playing with him again. I have never met Duncan Fletcher but my wife Emma met him at a benefit do, and like most people was very impressed so I am looking forward to working with him too."

Memories of Trent Bridge in 1998, where he was given a torrid time at the hands of Hansie Cronje (nine overs for 57 runs) have faded and Salisbury's confidence is restored after two excellent championship winning seasons for Surrey taking 52 first class wickets this summer on top of the 60 he captured in 1999.

"I know Cronje got the better of me at Trent Bridge but that was two years ago and I have learned a lot since then. It was the first day of the Test, it was a great wicket and the odds were not in my favour.

"I hope they will be more in my favour in Pakistan. I have had two good years but I know I'm propping up the bar in the last chance saloon so I intend to give it a really good go. I'm really looking forward to being part of the England team again – the environment seems to be really good. There is lots of confidence – totally different to when I last played."

As well as some intensive physical training, his preparations for the Pakistan tour have included a few long and exacting discussions with his Surrey team mate Saqlain Mushtaq.

"Saqy says the pitches in Faislabad and Lahore will be very batsman oriented and only the last track in Karachi will turn. The bowlers that can swing and reverse swing the ball will do best so it sounds like will be much the same as it was during the summer.

"I'm really looking forward to spending time with Saqy on his home territory. Apart from the fact that he has stolen most of my wickets at the Oval, he has become a good friend so I shall be interested in mixing with him and understanding his culture better

"To me, he represents total excellence. He bowls this mystery ball that no one has been able to bowl in the history of the game and that kind of thing encourages everyone.

"I think the tour to Pakistan will be tough. They are good side in every way but particularly good in their own country.

"People do not expect amazing things from us. England have not been there for so many years and are not used to the conditions. But we will put up a really good fight. If we keep doing the basic things well, we could come out on top.

"That is our philosophy at Surrey and it has worked for us. It means you can handle anything anyone throws at you."

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