Masterclass on the mysterious art of spin

ND batting coach Matt Horne pictured playing in a masters twenty/20 international cricket match in 2009.

The Northern Districts Cricket Road Show is offering a spin bowling workshops next week.

Next Thursday, three members of the ND coaching team will deliver a spin bowling clinic at Tauranga Boys' College.

While spin bowling is a mystery to many cricket fans, the major aim of spin bowling is to bowl the ball with rapid rotation so when it bounces on the pitch, it will deviate from a normal straight path and trouble the batsmen. Spin bowling is divided into four different categories: off break, leg-arm orthodox spin, leg break and left-arm unorthodox spin.

Cliff Dickeson is one of ND's high-performance coaches and will offer a bowler's perspective, running through the technical and tactical components of spin bowling.

Dickeson set the record for most ND first class wickets in New Zealand Major Association cricket, with 282 bowling scalps during the 1970s and 1980s.

ND batting coach Matt Horne and ND head of cricket Pat Malcon will look at playing spin from a batsman's viewpoint. Horne was an attacking batsman and a regular member of the Black Caps in the late 1990s and early 2000s, playing 35 tests and 50 ODIs with a highest test score of 157.

Coaches, aspiring coaches and current players are invited to attend the spin bowling workshop to learn more about bowling and playing spin. Entry is free, however a RSVP is required no later than September 26.

Further information is available from Tai Bridgman-Raison on 0278 617 314 or 575 9120.