Spinners often dictate the proceedings when the pitch assists turn. They slow down the tempo of the game. Their effectiveness often decides the outcomes of the games. Cricket has seen many spinners excelling. There have been few cricketers who started as spinners but got success in other disciplines. Few of them even aced it.

StumpsandBails brings to you a list of 5 cricketers who started as spinners but got success in other disciplines of the game.

#5 S. Sreesanth

The maverick Indian fast bowler had started his career as a leg-spinner. His role model was legendary Indian spinner, Anil Kumble. But he couldn’t achieve great success. Hence he took to fast bowling to stamp his authority. He was one of India’s finest swing bowlers. His journey with the Indian team was great till it lasted.

#4 Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain is widely regarded as one of the finest cricketing minds. He was an astute captain who was well respected across the globe. But not many are aware of the fact that Hussain started out being a leg-spinner. He took to batting completely as soon as he reached the international stage.

#3 Steve Smith

Steve Smith was touted to be the next Shane Warne. He was a chubby wrist-spinner who batted at the tail end of the innings. Smith slowly started to transform his batting. He quickly made indispensable to the side owing to his all-round skills. In 2013, he established himself as one of the Test batting sensations as he kept piling Ashes centuries. Smith is now hailed as the best Test batsmen currently.

#2 Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen revolutionised England batting. His dynamism was completely new to England cricket. He was a modern master in innovation. Pietersen was a more than handy off-spinner too. It comes as no surprise that he started his career as being an off-spinner.

#1 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik is a veteran. This Pakistani all-rounder made his international debut in 1999. He started primarily being an off-spinner. Malik’s career resembles closely that of Steve Smith. He has been one of Pakistan’s batting mainstays for over two decades. It is interesting to note what an impactful player Malik has been for Pakistan.