Matt Parkinson has backed the introduction of full-time spin coaches in county cricket to help the development of young English spinners.
Parkinson, the Lancashire legspinner, has a strong working relationship with Stuart MacGill after being mentored by him as part of the ECB’s pathways programme three years ago, and worked closely with Jeetan Patel on tour with England this winter. He has learned from Carl Crowe, the specialist T20 spin-bowling coach, who has worked in a consultant role at Lancashire.
He is one of five frontline spinners in England’s 30-man training group that will meet at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday ahead of next month’s Test series against West Indies, alongside Moeen Ali, Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Amar Virdi. The spin cadre will work with Richard Dawson, Gloucestershire’s head coach, during the series, but the ECB’s lead spin-bowling job is currently vacant after…