Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams will attend the national spinners camp, which will be held at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria later this month, as a consultant, writes Kobus Pretorius.
Former Proteas spinner Nicky Boje will head up the camp where 10 of the country’s best spinners will have group and individual sessions with Boje to work on their techniques and variations.
Adams will also share his insights. He is well qualified to nurture and develop the top-spinners, as the former international wrist spinner featured in 45 Tests for South Africa between 1995 and 2004.
Having the annual spin camp for South African franchise bowlers earlier than usual will benefit them in the long run, Boje told SACricketmag.com.
After retiring from the game Boje now coaches the Free State academy team and also helps out at HPC.
The camp is usually held in India or Sri Lanka, but this time it will instead be held from 17-20 June at Tuks’ HPC in Pretoria.
Participants are chosen by Boje and Vincent Barnes (High Performance Coach) in conjunction with Cricket South Africa.
‘Camp is usually held a lot closer to the start of the season, which means some of the players tend to fall back on bad habits early on because they have too little time to implement the stuff we work on.
‘This time it’s much earlier in the year, so the players will have enough time to work out game-plans and work on their bowling actions.’
Boje will hold group and individual video sessions with the spinners and time will also be spent working on bowling actions and new variations.
Players from the South African A side, as well as members of the Proteas squad for the tour of Bangladesh, will also be in attendance and should boost their preparations for the busy international season ahead.
Between 10 and 11 spinners are expected to attend the camp, while HD Ackerman will work with about 10 batsmen, who are also attending the camp.
Some of the finest spinners in South Africa are based in Cape Town. It includes Robin Peterson and Dane Piedt, who have both represented the Proteas.
‘Robin had a great season,’ said Adams about the newly crowned CSA domestic Momentum One Day Cup player of the year.
‘It is the best I have seen him bowl in a while.’
Peterson captured 18 wickets at an average of 19.38 in the 2014/2015-season and edged his franchise-teammate Andrew Puttick for the domestic Momentum One Day Cup award. Puttick scored 652 runs at an average of 72.44.
Adams said he was impressed with Peterson’s attitude despite not being in the international frame right now. ‘He has a positive, aggressive attitude to win trophies for the Cobras,’ he said.
Adams was up-beat about the inclusion of Piedt in the South Africa A-team for the tour of India. Piedt nipped out eight for 152 in his maiden test for South Africa before he was injured and required shoulder surgery.
Both Piedt and Beuran Hendricks will feature for South Africa A following potentially crippling and career-threatening injuries.
‘Look, they are young players, but injuries are part of the careers of sportsmen. They all face challenges. It is about being mentally strong enough and about determination, focus and rebuilding your career. One of the keys is not to be rushed or impatient and to use your opportunities when they come knocking again,’ said Adams.
