Keeping The Art Of Spin Alive: Paul Adams Lasting Impact On South African Cricket. In South African cricket, the art of spin bowling has always held a special place, but the recent revival of this craft owes much to one of its most iconic practitioners – Paul Adams. Known for his unconventional left-arm chinaman bowling style, Adams took the cricketing world by storm in the 1990s. Today, after more than 17 years in his coaching career, he has finally found his true calling – preserving and nurturing the art of spin in the South African cricket ecosystem. Adams’ journey as a player and coach has now evolved into a broader mission, one that is helping South Africa maintain its competitiveness in global cricket, especially in spin bowling.
The Rise of Paul Adams
Paul Adams’ career as a cricketer began in the mid-90s when he emerged as a distinctive figure in South African cricket. With a unique bowling action that defied convention, Adams became an instant sensation. His awkward, almost frog-in-a-blender style left batsmen baffled and gave the Proteas an edge in international cricket. However, it wasn’t just his unusual delivery that made Adams a standout player; it was his ability to extract turn and bounce on surfaces traditionally unfriendly to spin.
After a successful playing career, Adams transitioned into coaching, bringing with him the knowledge, passion, and experience from his time on the field. However, like many great players, the road to becoming a successful coach was not without challenges. It took him 17 years of hard work, learning, and adapting before he found his niche within the South African cricket ecosystem – focusing on the development of spin bowling talent.
Grounding the Team
One of the reasons Adams has become such a valuable asset to South African cricket is his creative approach to coaching. He is not just a technical coach; he is a motivator and a mentor who understands the mental and emotional demands of the game. Adams has gone beyond the traditional role of a spin bowling coach, assuming the role of a motivator-in-chief for the South African women’s cricket team.
Adams has employed several innovative techniques to inspire and ground his players. He introduced the ancient practice of grounding, a method that dates back to ancient Egypt. Grounding involves standing barefoot on natural surfaces like grass or sand to connect with the earth’s energy. Ahead of crucial matches, Adams encouraged the South African team to practice grounding to help them feel centered and focused. This was particularly effective during the team’s preparation for the World Cup in the UAE, where they were striving to win the tournament for the first time.
Beyond grounding, Adams introduced poetry as a motivational tool. Before an important group stage match against Bangladesh, he composed a heartfelt poem for the team. One of the lines read, “So focus hard, embrace the fight, each second is our only right.” This simple yet powerful message resonated with the players, reminding them to stay present and fight for every moment on the field. Tazmin Brits, one of the team’s key players, described the experience as emotional and inspiring. Adams’ motivational efforts have undoubtedly contributed to the team’s success.
The Role of Spin Bowling in South Africa’s Success
While Adams’ off-field efforts are notable, it is his work with spin bowlers that has had the most significant impact. He has worked closely with players like Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, and Seshnie Naidu, focusing on improving their actions and honing their skills. Instead of teaching his players to replicate his own unorthodox delivery, Adams has introduced innovative techniques, such as using weighted balls to align their hips over their feet. This approach ensures that their arms are in the best possible position for accuracy, leading to significant improvements, especially for Mlaba.
Nonkululeko Mlaba has been one of the standout performers in recent times, emerging as the second-leading wicket-taker in a major tournament. Adams’ influence has helped Mlaba rediscover her rhythm and become a major threat to opposing teams. Her resurgence as a potent spin option highlights Adams’ success in molding South Africa’s spin department into a formidable force.
The Impact of Paul Adams on South African Women Cricket
Adams’ impact on South African cricket extends beyond his work with spinners. He has become a crucial part of the South African women’s team’s support staff, providing the motivation and guidance needed to compete at the highest level. His creative approach, combined with his technical expertise, has taken some of the pressure off team captain Laura Wolvaardt, who not only leads the team but also serves as one of the team’s top batters.
Wolvaardt herself has spoken highly of Adams’ contributions, particularly his ability to inject fresh energy and motivation into the team before each game. “I found it one of the hardest parts of the job – finding something new to say every single game,” Wolvaardt admitted during a pre-semi-final press conference. She explained that Adams had consistently come up with new and creative pre-game speeches, relieving her of the responsibility and allowing her to focus on her batting and leadership roles.
Adams has introduced a variety of team-building exercises and activities, including showing the players videos about the importance of teamwork. For example, ahead of a crucial semi-final, Adams showed the team a video about the ebbs and flows of the game and how to go with the rhythm of the match. This focus on the mental aspect of cricket, combined with his technical coaching, has made Adams an invaluable asset to the South African team.
Spin Bowling Resurgence in South African Cricket
In the past, South African cricket has been synonymous with fast bowling, with legends like Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, and Dale Steyn leading the charge. However, the importance of spin bowling has grown in recent years, particularly in the shorter formats of the game where variety in bowling attacks is crucial. Under Adams’ guidance, South Africa has developed a pool of talented spin bowlers who can compete on the world stage.
The work Adams has done with spinners like Mlaba, Luus, and others has had a ripple effect on the entire South African cricket system. The national team now has the luxury of using spinners as attacking options in key matches, a far cry from the days when spinners were often used defensively. This shift in mindset, coupled with Adams’ innovative coaching methods, has helped South Africa become a more well-rounded team.
Overcoming Challenges
Adams’ coaching journey has not been without challenges. In 2021, he was involved in the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings, which aimed to address issues of racial inequality and injustice within South African cricket. The hearings were emotionally taxing for Adams, but they did not deter him from continuing his coaching journey.
After the SJN hearings, Adams took a brief coaching stint with the provincial team Border before being employed to work across all South African teams. His resilience and passion for the game have been evident throughout his coaching career, and his impact is now being felt across multiple levels of South African cricket. His work with the women’s team, in particular, has been transformative, helping them reach new heights in their quest for World Cup success.
Fresh Faces, Fresh Ideas
The South African women’s cricket team has undergone significant changes in recent years. After over a decade under the leadership of coach Hilton Moreeng, the team needed fresh ideas and a new direction to continue its growth. Assistant coach Dillon du Preez was promoted to interim head coach, and new support staff, including Paul Adams, were brought in to provide specialized coaching.
The addition of Adams as a spin-bowling consultant and Baakier Abrahams as a batting coach has had a noticeable impact on the team’s performances. Captain Laura Wolvaardt has spoken about the positive changes brought by these fresh faces, emphasizing the new ideas and approaches that have helped the team line up differently and approach the game with renewed energy.
Looking Ahead: South Africa World Cup Hopes
As South Africa prepares for future challenges, including potential World Cup glory, the contributions of coaches like Paul Adams will continue to be critical. The team’s historic first victories over Australia in ODI and T20I cricket earlier this year have given them confidence as they look to challenge the world’s best teams.
Captain Wolvaardt has acknowledged the significance of reaching yet another World Cup semi-final, emphasizing the pride the team feels in representing South Africa on the global stage. “We don’t even realize how many people at home are following us and watching us,” Wolvaardt said, adding that the support from fans has been overwhelming.
Conclusion
Paul Adams has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of spin bowling in South African cricket, particularly within the women’s team. His creative and motivational approach, combined with his technical expertise, has transformed the team into a well-rounded unit capable of competing with the best in the world. His work with players like Nonkululeko Mlaba has not only elevated individual performances but has also contributed to the overall success of South African cricket on the international stage.
