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T20 only for matured spinners: Jenner

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Left-arm spinner Manan Sharma (Sonnet Club) and leg-spinner Mayank Raghav (Winsom Club) would cherish the day. Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne’s mentor, Terry Jenner, picked these two youngsters for the “promise” they showed at the five-day coaching camp that concluded at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Friday.

Reflecting on the camp, Jenner said, “it has been a good experience for me, reasonably successful. There wasn’t much spin on the first day but I am glad it improved as we went along.”

The average bunch of youngsters hardly made an impression on the Australia, who played nine Tests.

The talent, in his opinion, was “just general, no standouts. If a kid has improved, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is going to be the best in the business. I have some hope from the left-arm orthodox bowlers. They could get better with a little more spin. I don’t think the quality was quite there with the leggies except one or two boys who had good movements.

It is not easy because you are used to bowling one way and suddenly an Aussie walks in and suggests better ways to do it.”

Caution

Jenner also cautioned youngsters from playing too much of Twenty20. “I don’t encourage the spinners to play the T20 brand. But then if a player gets $1500 to play T20 I can’t play the same to him to stand down. T20 is for matured spinners and not at all for developing spinners. “If we can separate ourselves from the hype of T20, spin bowling will be around forever. It’s a pity that Harbhajan (Singh), one of the finest off-spinners in the game is bowling yorkers. It only shows that he is talented but it doesn’t speak well for spin.”

He did not approve of the present day spinners looking to more dot balls. “We were allowed to spin the ball. Today it is all about dot ball. A spinner without spin is only a slow bowler. T20 is only for entertainment and we have to find medium to develop spin bowlers.” He cited the example of former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi. “Bishan always said that spin is in the air and the break is off the pitch. There is a difference between loop and flight, pace and change of pace. Bedi exemplified it best. He would keep you guessing all the time. His style is recommended in any era.”

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