Shane Warne releases part four of Australian cricket manifesto, focusing on spin bowlers in Australia..
By Tony Harper FOX SPORTS March 04, 2013 3:34PM
Shane Warne says young Australian spinners should be quarantined from limited overs cricket to boost their development, and has called on domestic captains and coaches to show them more faith in the Sheffield Shield, regardless of conditions.
Oh, and he thinks they would benefit from wider and taller stumps.
Warne released part 4 of his manifesto into issues in Australian cricket on his website on Monday. Focused on the "state of spin bowling in Australia," the latest instalment came as Australia were being belted around by India.
"Yeah sure, T20 and 50 over cricket are a hindrance in the development of a young spinner as you have to bowl differently in those forms," Warne writes.
"With so many dollars involved in the various 20/20 competitions around the world, its not an easy situation. This is where the responsibility falls upon the player; if the young spinner wants to play Test cricket for Australia, then maybe they have to back themselves to learn how to bowl before taking up the options available to them around the world in the shorter forms of the game.
"Easy to say, I know, but I believe we should identify our top four spinners and put them on a decent contract and have them play nothing but first class cricket for 12 months and then take a view and re-assess."
Warne said expectations are too high on young spinners who "are put under a lot of pressure to be both attacking wicket takers as well as tight economical bowlers, which is very hard to do."
"I think the problem lies in what we expect from our young spin bowlers and the way they are handled at domestic level by their captains and coaches.
"The attitude should always be about taking wickets and not about economy rates: 4/100 off 25 overs is a good result and better than 2/60 off 25 overs.
"My guidelines on what to look for in a young spinner is pretty simple; someone who can spin the ball.
"Any fast bowler that can swing or make the ball move has a chance to take wickets; if they bowl straight they will struggle. The same criteria applies for spin bowling; straight = struggle, spin the ball = wickets."
Warne said it was crucial spinners got to play at all domestic venues.
"They also have to play under a captain who is prepared to back the spinner and play them in all 10 Shield games not just in Adelaide or Sydney where the ball spins," Warne writes.
"This way, the spinner gets experience in all the different conditions and the good spinners will adapt and find a way to be successful. The more a captain can put a young spinner, and the team for that matter, in situations where they have to learn how to win a game for the team or help contribute to a win, the faster (their) experience strengthens along with their confidence.
"Nothing beats knowing the captain has faith in you and will back you, as Allan Border did with me when I started. It means a lot, eases your mindset and boosts your confidence."
So far, so sensible, but Warne was either going for laughs or playing a poker-style bluff with his next call.
"Here is a suggestion from left field that will help spin bowlers, in fact all bowlers for that matter, as everything is in favour of the batsmen: Make the stumps a bit wider and a bit taller," Warne writes. "This will help in the battle between bat and ball as there will be more bowled and lbws.
"We are very lucky in Australia at the moment that we have a lot of quality fast bowlers around, meaning that the spinner's role does not have to be one of taking bags full of wickets but rather to play his role and when the opportunity arises, seize his day in the sun.
"In short, spin bowling is about sticking your chest out, wanting the ball in your hand and imposing your will onto the contest.
"We have to look at the programs we have in place too and examine the coaching and advice they are receiving through the ranks; we need a proper program with one person in charge, who is accountable."
