Harmer urges ECB to use 'genius' Crowe to lift England's spin ranks

Simon Harmer has called on the ECB to hire Carl Crowe as a national spin-bowling consultant, arguing that English spinners are being held back by a shortage of specialist coaching. Harmer, speaking on the Sky Cricket podcast after his 6 for 16 helped South Africa beat Australia at Newlands, said Crowe is 'an absolute genius when it comes to spin bowling' and questioned why he is not used more within the county system.

Harmer has played 10 seasons for Essex and said many young spinners feel 'isolated' and under-resourced at their counties. He argued the problem is not resources but a lack of structures, pointing to situations where a fast-bowling coach is asked to develop a young spinner.

'I just think there's a lack of spin-bowling coaches in England,' Harmer said. He added that Jack Leach, Dom Bess, Shoaib Bashir and Jack Carson are all good enough for international cricket but need better development outside the England set-up. The ECB has recently appointed Richard Dawson as elite national spin-bowling lead, a role in which he will also assist Test coach Stephen Fleming; Jeetan Patel is no longer with the Test side but works with the white-ball team.

Fleming has hinted England could pick four seamers and rely on part-time spin in South Africa. Harmer, though, said Leach remains the standout option if England play a specialist spinner at the Wanderers, SuperSport Park or Newlands, citing his control in the first innings.

Bashir was recently awarded a new central contract, while Mason Crane and Liam Patterson-White received development deals.