Kasprowicz laments absence of bowling coach

Michael Kasprowicz, the Australian fast bowler, believes that Australia should take a leaf out of England's book and provide more coaches for its first-class bowlers. Kasprowicz is one of three senior members - Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn the other two - trying to regain a spot in the Test side.

Thirty three-year-old Kasprowicz, who lost his place in the Test team following the Ashes defeat to England, is of the view that even Test bowlers are neglected in the system's pursuit for excellence at the domestic level. Speaking to The Age, he added that both young and experienced bowlers would benefit from a specialist bowling coach. "I don't think anyone should assume that because you play for Australia or first-class cricket, you know the lot. I just see a benefit using a bowling coach for not just the young guys coming through, but the ones in the competition as well."

Kasprowicz said he has been impressed by the England board's system for coaching up-and-coming bowlers and professionals. "All bowlers in Australia would benefit from it. What struck me as quite impressive was what England were doing with their academy. Their age groups are a little bit older and, for example, right at the moment, their academy intake is just below the Test level," he said. "In Australia, we haven't had that kind of access to the coaches. I mean, only very early on did I have anything to do with Dennis Lillee [a former coach at Australia's cricket academy]."

Recently, Cricket Australia stated it would not appoint a full-time bowling coach for its senior bowlers, instead opting for an academy coach to monitor the work of the Test bowlers.