Spin twins argue case

England are undecided about the line-up which is likely to feature against Pakistan at Lahore on November 15 and have the option of choosing seven batsmen and one spinner or plunge both slow bowlers into the fray on what is expected to be a turning pitch.

Selecting both spinners would weaken their batting, although neither of them are mugs at the crease.

Adopting a more cautious approach with seven batsmen might reduce their ability to dismiss Pakistan's formidable line-up twice in a Test.

It is a conundrum England are likely to solve over the next week, when they take on a Governor's XI in a four-day game in Peshawar.

They are expected to choose as strong a line-up as possible in their final warm-up match before the start of the Test series.

Leg-spinner Salisbury has already experienced how effective two spinners can be if used in tandem, having been part of Surrey's title-winning side for the past two seasons alongside Saqlain Mushtaq, who will form the fulcrum of Pakistan's spin attack.

''When you're partners, which is the same as me and Ashley here, you are both doing the same thing and you chat to each other about spin bowling, how are we going to try and get wickets and how are we going to bowl,'' he said.

''When I'm bowling with Saqlain we're obviously slightly different so we're going to get our wickets in different ways, but generally we try and encourage each other and keep each other going.

''It's very important to have a spinner at the other end to help you. Ashley bowls with Neil Smith at Warwickshire and it's so much easier when there's two of you.''

Salisbury's theory is certainly borne out in the records, with the Surrey pair having claimed 236 wickets as a partnership in the last two domestic seasons alone, a key factor in his recall for this winter's tour.

''Pakistan will probably hit us with two spinners and maybe three and if we're only playing one it's a bit unfair,'' said Salisbury.

''It's a bit like being back in the schoolyard and if there were three people ganging up on one, you know which person you'd back.

''I think the pressure will be on their guys because they have two of the best spinners in the world and everybody is expecting them to bowl us out and for them to beat us, so whatever we do is going to be a bonus.''

Left-arm spinner Giles also believes a consistent spin partnership this winter, which also includes a trip to the spin-friendly paradise of Sri Lanka in the New Year, could convince critics of English slow bowlers that the prospects are not as bleak as they may seem.

''It would be really nice if we did really well and I hope everyone else feels like that in England,'' he said.

''Saqlain is one of the best off-spinners in the world and we've read that we're on a hiding to nothing.

''We're told we're not up to much and our record keeps getting brought up, so we've got to just enjoy it and not worry about the pressure.

''If we do well then that's fantastic and people might just sit up and take notice, but you just have to put up with the criticism.''

Their success this winter would also lift England's hopes with next year's tour to India in mind, where they can expect more of the same with Anil Kumble likely to spearhead their attack.

Giles said: ''We haven't played on some of the more helpful wickets in the world and if we played for a couple of years over here, that would give us a lot of encouragement and confidence.

''In England over the past two or three years we've been waiting to bowl for 60 or 70 overs and sometimes just coming on just to fill a few overs in.

''I'm really looking forward to it because it will be a nice position to be in where the ball's thrown to you early on - you might get the ball after 20 to 25 overs and it's nice to have a decent run at it.''

England took advantage of a day off with all but six members of the squad making a visit up the nearby Khyber Pass before they practise for the first time at the Shahi Bagh Stadium, venue for their final warm-up match starting on Wednesday