Four emerging New Zealand cricketers recently completed a high-intensity spin training camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, as part of a strategic collaboration between New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the Chennai Super Kings-owned facility. The two-week program aimed to improve the players’ skills against spin—a historically tough challenge for non-Asian cricketers.
Exposure to subcontinental spin conditions
Spin-bowling all-rounder Tim Pringle, along with Adithya Ashok, Rhys Mariu, and Dale Phillips, participated in the camp. While Phillips returned early, the others trained under sweltering heat and new pitch dynamics. Veteran coach Bob Carter accompanied the squad, with coaching led by academy head Sriram Krishnamurthy.
“Being a finger spinner, I do not get to see the ball spin a lot in NZ. To come to India for the first time and see the ball spin… it is nice,” said Pringle. “I worked on speeds and angles, something we don’t focus on as much back home.”
Soil diversity builds better spin play
Rhys Mariu, who has already featured for the senior New Zealand team, highlighted the benefit of training on diverse soils—red, black, and mixed—types not found in New Zealand.
“It was great to train on different soils. We learned how to play spin better,” said Mariu. “If we come back and play in similar conditions, we’ll have a head start.”
Long-term planning for subcontinental tours
Coach Bob Carter underscored the long-term strategic value of the training, especially for young players aiming to succeed in Asia.
“When we play Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, this experience becomes vital,” Carter said. “Rachin Ravindra benefited from similar preparation ahead of the India series last year.”
Super Kings Academy expands global reach
With partnerships already in place with NZC and Cricket West Indies (CWI), the Super Kings Academy is positioning itself as a global cricket development center.
“We want players to understand how to play in foreign conditions,” said chief coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. “Over 60% of international cricket now happens in the subcontinent, and it’s crucial to be prepared.”
As cricket becomes more global, academies like Super Kings are helping bridge skill gaps and ensure that young talents are ready for challenges across all conditions.
