| Spin bowlers need understanding captains and | | | | average much lower than that of great fast bowlers, |
| coaches to bring the best out of them. Too many | | | | yet he is widely regarded as the greatest bowler of |
| spin bowlers are lost due to poor captaincy and | | | | all time. This is because the captain backed him when |
| coaching decisions. This is especially true at junior | | | | he went for a few sixes. He did not immediately take |
| level cricket during a player's formative years. | | | | him off and brought a new bowler in. The captain |
| These days, in modern cricket, the emphasis is all | | | | had enough faith in him that he is a great bowler and |
| about scoring runs and big hits. Just look at the | | | | the batsman just got lucky with a few shots. Few |
| massive following of the 20/20 form of the game. | | | | captains understand just how many batsmen get |
| To satisfy this insatiable thirst for runs all the pitches | | | | lucky against spinners. Only to take the bowler off |
| are prepared flat and the boundaries are brought in. | | | | and take the chance away for the batsman to make |
| All for the cheap thrill of a few more sixes. | | | | a mistake trying to hit the ball into the stands again. |
| The effect is terrible on young spin bowlers. Shots | | | | A spin bowler is always more aggressive when he |
| that would have landed down the throat of deep mid | | | | bowls with flight. It is important the when a batsman |
| on or deep square leg now ends up as a big six. Top | | | | starts hitting him the captain backs the bowler by |
| edges go for six and batsmen get away with shots | | | | telling him to keep tossing it up, even if he gets hit |
| they previously never would have gotten away with. | | | | for a few sixes. That will give the spin bowler all the |
| The pitches also do not turn anymore and the young | | | | confidence in the world. Unfortunately few captains |
| bowler is finding it vary tough indeed to beat | | | | are so brave or understand spin bowling good enough |
| batsmen with turn of the pitch. | | | | to do this. |
| A captain needs to understand that spin bowlers will | | | | Coaches need to support young bowlers in the nets. |
| go for more runs. They are not strike bowlers. They | | | | Everyone always try and hit the spin bowlers in the |
| need to out think the batsman over a few overs. If | | | | net as far as possible. This can do a lot of damage |
| a batsman decides to have a few swings and | | | | to any young spin bowler's confidence. The coach |
| connect the ball for a couple of sixes then he should | | | | need to make sure the bowler understands that |
| not take the spin bowler off. He needs to decide | | | | most of those hits out of the net is in fact wickets. |
| first if it was poor bowling or simple a batsman | | | | A little coaching tips is to start the young spin |
| getting away with a few big shots. If it is the latter | | | | bowlers out by having them bowl without any |
| then he needs to back the spin bowler and keep him | | | | batsmen. This way they can get their confidence |
| on. The wicket can be only one mistimed shot away. | | | | level up before bowling to a batsman. |
| Take the example of Shane Warne. He has an | | | | |