Small Outlay, Large Returns
The Sunday Age
Sunday December 16, 2007
Shouting Shane Warne a coffee has already paid dividends for Bryce McGain.
CRICKET talk around town is centred on who will bowl spin for Australia in the Boxing Day Test in 10 days. This time last year Melbourne held its breath in anticipation as the king of spin was about to chalk up his 700th Test scalp. He didn't disappoint - he rarely did. His presence is sadly missed, and as Test cricket contemplates day/night matches, I wonder if such drastic measures would ever be considered if Shane Warne was still around. He dragged people through the gates like no other - well, perhaps not since Sir Donald Bradman.Warne returned to the MCG recently to offer his experience and expertise to Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain, who must be seriously close to a Test debut, if the selectors opt for a spinner who can twist it away from the Indian right-handers at the spin-friendly MCG. McGain is bowling beautifully and would be a bold but brilliant selection. His flight path and pattern is far different than that of Brad Hogg's, who many consider the first option in Stuart MacGill's absence. McGain will lure the Indians down the wicket and invite them to drive, Hogg will pin them to the crease and allow them to drive. It's only a subtle difference but means a lot.McGain is an old-fashioned leggie who relies on guile and deception to secure wickets. He is slow through the air but dips it late - the key ingredient of the best at their craft. Warne's words two weeks ago to McGain are still ringing in my ears: "It's not where the ball pitches that's important - it's how it arrives."What he was saying in layman's terms was, spin it hard and dip it late. Warne never had as many tricks as he had the world believe. What he did have was a lethal leg-spinner that could rip you in half and make you look like a fool - Mike Gatting can attest to that. For a period of time he also had the greatest flipper any spinner has ever possessed. It caused mass destruction and then it was gone. The flipper cruelled his shoulder and his fingers, and in the end, he bowled a slider but rarely the flipper. The problem was that batsmen never quite worked it out.His accuracy and patience with the ball was his greatest strength. He suffocated batsmen, sucked the life out of them, and then poisoned them in one deathly strike. His aura became almost a greater weapon than his skill - international teams were mesmerised before they began.McGain is a learned craftsman who has waited patiently. He has plied his craft for almost 15 years at club level, having a brief taste of the big time a few years back and sadly for him and Victoria, he was made to wait another few years before his second coming. This stint may prove bigger and better than thought.He sought out Warne for a coffee and a chat, then some coaching. I was lucky enough to join the two leggies for the coffee.McGain received a master's degree in leg-spin in 45 minutes - he was like a young boy about to open presents on Christmas Day."Don't worry where the ball is going to land on the wicket. Feel it in your body where you want it to land," Warne said. "Bowl it to entice the batsmen to play the shot you want him to play, not the one he wants to play."He was in his element, talking about his craft, and I thought it was a shame this bloke never became Test captain. His ability to work out batsmen within a few balls was extraordinary. His tactical mind is fantastic; his expertise must be utilised.McGain threw in a wrong 'un and asked about field placements. Warne broke two icy-pole sticks into 11 pieces on the table and placed his field. Now the game of chess began. "Tell me about Simon Katich - what should I do to him?" McGain asked. Warne shuffled the pieces and McGain was smiling like the Cheshire Cat. A few days later McGain got his man, caught behind off a ball that slid across the left-hander."Now you tell me - when would you come around the wicket and why?", the master now questioned the apprentice. McGain was ready and shot back his response. Warne was now smiling as the two leggies had struck a chord. "It's all about angles, if you go around, then go wide, be outrageous, make a big change then go back over and keep the batsmen guessing.""When should you attack and when should you defend as a spinner?" Another simple but appropriate question from McGain."You must feel that yourself. I can't tell you when; you just know," said Warne. Then the masterstroke arrived. "When you are bowling defensively, have attacking fields, and when you are bowling attackingly, have defensive fields."The pair headed off and the tutorial was over. It was fascinating and the most informative session I had ever witnessed in my time as a player or coach.McGain paid for the coffee - it would be fair to say it was the best $7.50 he has ever spent.Warne's words of wisdom"It's not where the ball pitches that's important - it's how it arrives.""Don't worry where the ball is going to land on the wicket. Feel it in your body where you want it to land.""Bowl it to entice the batsmen to play the shot you want him to play, not the one he wants to play.""When you are bowling defensively, have attacking fields, and when you are bowling attackingly, have defensive fields."
© 2007 The Sunday Age