Academy feels need for spin

Five spinners were included in New Zealand's 2005 Academy intake as the country increases its emphasis on unearthing more slow men to partner Daniel Vettori. Dayle Hadlee, the head coach, said he was excited by the nine-man squad and expected the group to make a significant contribution at national level.

"The emphasis placed on spin bowling in this year's intake highlights the fact that this is an area in great need of development within our game," he said. Vettori has carried the slow bowling attack for most of his career and has recently gained support from the offspinner Paul Wiseman. The squad announced today includes three offspinners, Martin Guptill, William Somerville and Sean Eathorne, the legspinner Todd Astle and Jason Donnelly, a slow left-arm bowler.

The players will start the 19-week live-in course in July and the program will finish in December with matches against the Major Association teams. A junior academy squad selected from the national under-17 and under-19 tournaments will also attend camps during the off-season.

New Zealand Academy squad Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Carl Cachopa, Derek De Boorder, Jason Donnelly, Sean Eathorne, Martin Guptill, Mathew Harvie, William Somerville.

Junior squad Marc Ellison, Ashley Newdick, Sam McLeod, Nick Fitzgerald, Charles Gallagher, Tim Southee, Dean Bartlett, Kurt Richards, Doneel Hira, Colin Munro, Ronald Karaitiana, Shaun Fitzgibbon.