ECB looks to increase spin options

This feature was originally published in full as The Big Interview in the official programme for the first npower Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff - click here to buy England match programmes online

Graeme Swann is ranked as the best spin bowler in the world, but the ECB are aiming to increase their options in the slow bowling department with the help of the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust

The news that Graeme Swann had moved to the top of the ICC ODI bowling rankings, while holding firm at No2 in the Test bowling rankings, added to the buzz of excitement surrounding English spin bowling.

With Swann at the pinnacle, the ECB is looking to build for the future and, crucially, increase the depth of the talent pool through the ECB spin bowling programme, ably assisted by the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.

ECB spin bowling coach Peter Such was appointed in 2009 and set about determining the reasons for the decline in young spinners coming through the system into county then international cricket.

"The biggest barrier to development of young spin bowling talent in this country was the lack of specialist coaching," explained Such.

"What you tended to find were the vast majority of county cricket clubs would have a batting coach, a fast-bowling coach but when it came to wicketkeeping or spin bowling they didn't really pay the same amount of attention to it.

"It's a numbers game - there are more batters, more fast bowlers so inevitably you're going to gear your coaching towards those groups. If there was a need for spin bowling coaching they would tend to parachute in somebody who'd do a couple of days then vanish for months."

That led to a lack of continuity and also meant that players weren't able to establish the vital player/coach relationship.

Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid is among those to have benefited from the programme in the past. He made his England debut in 2009

To address that, the ECB looked to establish a system that could support young spin bowlers from county academies and emerging player programmes and provide a resource to use throughout the winter months and early season to aid their development technically and tactically.

The Brian Johnston Memorial Trust, long-time supporters of ECB initiatives, were looking for a change in emphasis. The trust has funded an initiative whereby young wrist-spin bowlers would spend time in Adelaide with Terry Jenner (who sadly passed away in May), immersing themselves in wrist-spin bowling.

Previous benefactors of this programme included Mark Lawson, Will Beer and Adil Rashid, who has since gone on to play international cricket.

"We said to them, these are the things we're doing and they chose to support this programme," said Such. "We are incredibly grateful to the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust for helping us out."

The programme provides each participating county with ten sessions of spin-bowling coaching. The spin bowling programme recommends two or three coaches in terms of experience, quality and suitability and the county can choose which they want.

"They have regular access to this specialist coach so that the coach/player relationship can develop," said Such.

The Brian Johnston Memorial Trust funds half the programme, with a quarter from the ECB and the rest from the participating counties, "because we want them to value it," added Such.

Zafar Ansari is another player to have enjoyed success following his time on the programme. He broke into the Surrey team this year

The goal is to get into "the luxurious position of having a far greater number of spin bowlers that are capable of playing for England," said Such. "But the wider issue is that we want to re-establish spin bowling in the English county game to the level it was years ago.

"All county cricket clubs recognise the value of a top class spin bowler. The unfortunate thing is at times the financial expediency dictates that they don't have the resources to develop them properly."

To address the other problem that spin bowlers have a tendency to develop later than batters and fast bowlers, the programme also supports MCC Universities.

The results are starting to show in performances, something that delights Such.

"Some of the players on the programme have already had success at first-class level," he said.

“Paul Best took six wickets [twice] for Cambridge MCCU and he's also made his first-class debut for Warwickshire.

"Zafar Ansari from Cambridge MCCU has debuted in the Friends Life t20 and LV= County Championship for Surrey and taken five wickets against them.

"Tom Knight at Derbyshire made his debut and got seven wickets against Bradford MCCU, a fantastic achievement. He's since been called up for England U19s.

"If you go a little bit deeper, all the bowlers on the England Development Programme (EDP) are participating in this programme at their counties and there are a number of girls in the programme who are part of the EDP for England Women.

"It's a long-term project, it will be a slow burn, but we're already seeing a lot of results that are moving us forward."