Simon Harmer, the seasoned South African and Essex off-spinner, has raised concerns about the lack of specialised coaching available for English spin bowlers. He suggests the ECB should consider engaging Carl Crowe, a reputed spin-bowling coach, as a consultant to enhance the country’s spin bowling expertise.
Recently leading South Africa to a win over Australia with remarkable figures of 6 for 16, Harmer brings a wealth of experience from his decade-long career at Essex. He opines that many young spin bowlers in England feel “isolated” at county level due to insufficient coaching resources.
“There’s an evident shortage of spin-bowling coaches here,” Harmer commented on the Sky Cricket podcast. He praised Crowe’s understanding of spin bowling mechanics, drawing from their time with the Durban Super Giants in the SA20 league. “He’s nothing short of a genius when it comes to spin bowling,” Harmer remarked, expressing bewilderment at Crowe’s limited involvement in the county system.
According to Harmer, the absence of dedicated spin coaches means that talented bowlers like Jack Leach and Dom Bess might not receive the guidance needed for international cricket. He mentioned Jeetan Patel’s current absence from county-level coaching as a missed opportunity for nurturing spin talent.
Recently, the ECB appointed Richard Dawson as their ‘elite national spin bowling lead’, a role resembling the one Harmer envisages. Dawson will also serve as an assistant coach under Stephen Fleming for the Test side, while Patel focuses on white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum.
Fleming hinted at a seam-heavy strategy for the upcoming South Africa tour, which could marginalise frontline spinners. However, Harmer suggests that Jack Leach should remain the preferred choice for spin in venues like The Wanderers and Newlands, stressing his ability to support seamers with consistency.
Reflecting on Marcus North’s podcast suggestion to shift away from Leach, Harmer argued: “The control Leach offers, especially at challenging venues in South Africa, makes him indispensable.”
As the ECB seeks to strengthen its spin attack, Harmer’s call for proactive measures and the expertise of coaches like Crowe might steer the development of England’s spin resources in a promising direction.
