Spin revival sparks new interest among English pros

The next ten days will be crucial to England's national side as their new found mettle, which was especially evident in the playing of spin bowling at Lahore, is put to the test in back-to-back matches in Faislabad and Karachi.

Duncan Fletcher and Nasser Hussain have instilled a greater sense of confidence and common purpose in their squad but the way it spilled over into the previously lamentable area of England batsmen versus Anyland spinners caught everyone unawares.

It was a highly competent show and although Lahore proved to be a slow turner, that gentle introduction to Saqlain Mushtaq and his fellow Pakistan craftsmen on their home turf will have persuaded our batsmen that facing spin, as served up by the world's best, need not be life-threatening.

The next two Tests will present plenty more opportunities for players to work on their technique, temperament and self-belief against spin. And if Ashley Giles and Ian Salisbury can cash in on this growing competence and fill England's coffers with wickets as well, then a whole new positive attitude to spin may start emerging in this country as it has in Australia and elsewhere.

Not much has been expected from spinners in English domestic cricket. If they perform well it is a bonus but county skippers may have to rethink their tactics if they are to adjust to a new era in which spin is used as a form of attack rather than defence. Instead of using them as time or space fillers who come on to bowl to give overworked pacemen a rest or to quicken things up before lunch, they may call on them to turn matches.

Game plans based on spin might start taking priority over the best-laid ones involving seam and later in the summer, we may see pitches beyond South London's Kennington Oval that are tailored more to the twirlers.

Ambitious young cricketers might start taking off during the winter months to tracks that teach them about flight and fizz, so they stand out from the rest come next summer and perhaps even fast track their progress to England level.

That last idea is not an entirely new one. Already this winter, youngsters from Kent and Essex are headed for Asia to get more experience of spin and for Hampshire's Giles White, the destination is Australia where he will stay with his former county colleague Shane Warne and receive some intensive tuition on how to bowl leg-spin, of the world-class variety.

It was Warne's idea, says the top order batsman and occasional purveyor of leg-breaks who last season bowled just 13 overs but took 2-2 against Kent at Portsmouth, including the prized wicket of Rahul Dravid.

"He saw me bowl in the nets and said he reckoned he could do something with me," said the 28-year-old White who became firm friends with Warne during the Australian's stay in Southampton.

"I was an all-rounder when I joined Hampshire but after I got into the first team, I just concentrated on my batting. When Shane saw me in the nets, he said I should bowl more and in fact he was the one who persuaded Judgey (Robin Smith) to bowl me at Portsmouth.

"I'm not sure what he liked about my bowling but if Shane Warne says you can bowl, you treat it seriously."

Warne, who is currently commentating for Channel 9 on the Australia - West Indies series while he recovers from a finger injury, has invited White to join him as he returns to training in preparation for the Boxing Day Test, which he has earmarked for his comeback.

The six-week visit will involve trips to Perth and Adelaide, where White will be coached by Warne's guru Terry Jenner, and a stay at Warne's home in Melbourne.

"I'm really looking forward to it though I'm under no illusions," White commented.

"I am not going to come back and suddenly be a great bowler. I have variation but I need more control and if I can get that and achieve some consistency then it could be interesting.

"It will give me more options. I am always wanting to improve my game and if I can make a contribution as both a bowler and batsman, then I will be a more valuable player. Also, I get bored when I am fielding so this will be a good antidote.

"It may open new doors. I would love to play for England and in a few years' time.....well, you just never know."

White believes Warne made a huge impact on Hampshire's fledgling cricketers last summer and judging by the numbers who took up leg spin bowling after meeting their Australian hero, is convinced that spin is set to play a significantly bigger part in the careers of England's next generation of cricketers, whether they are batters or bowlers.

That is ten years hence. Ten days from now, we will know if Lahore was merely a fluke or whether England's laudable plan to combat spin has substance.