Shane Warne Masterclass: Australia great talks leg-spin in The Zone

Watch Shane's top tips on pace, variations and how to spin the ball

Shane Warne delivers a leg-spin masterclass in The Zone, explaining how to spin the ball and generate drift to batsmen

Shane Warne lit up a drizzly Lord's when he entered The Zone to deliver a masterclass on the art of leg spin.

The Australia legend, who took 708 Test wickets as well as 293 in one-day internationals, decided to share tricks of the trade after being asked for tips by a host of young fans.

Warne went into huge detail on the pace leg-spinners should bowl at and when to bowl your variations, including the wrong 'un and flipper.

The flipper, the wrong ‘un and mixing up your pace – Warne explains the key variations for a wannabe leg-spinner

The Sky Sports pundit also explained how to generate drift and which field settings are perfect for a spinner looking to make their way in the game.

For a fascinating look at leg-spin, watch Shane's masterclass - you can catch the show in full ON DEMAND and on Sky Go.

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HOW TO SPIN THE BALL

"You talk about accuracy, line, length, but the thing you have to do first is spin the ball. If you can do that, you can take wickets whatever grade you play at. The basic thing is the grip - two fingers down, two fingers up.

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"A lot of coaches will say you have to grip it tight but if you do that you feel tense and it becomes hard to get any purchase on a ball that is in the palm of my hand. A relaxed grip allows your spinning finger to flick the ball."

GENERATING DRIFT

"The only way you can get drift is how much spin you impart on the ball - it's not about lowering or heightening your arm.

"If you arm is too high, you can't get your wrist round and if you are too round arm it is easier for batsmen to pick. You need to have a relaxed arc, letting the wrist and finger do the work."

PACE

"There is not one natural speed for every bowler - everyone should bowl at a pace that allows them to get the most spin. If you can spin the ball, you will always take wickets. Some days you will have to bowl quicker to get turn but if you bowl too fast it becomes easier for batsmen. A slower pace means they have to force the issue and can lose their shape."

FOCUSSING ON THE BATSMAN

"I used to watch what they were doing and then talk to myself about what shot I wanted them to play. That would then dictate how I bowled. If I wanted to push them back I'd bowl a faster leg-break, if I wanted to make them drive, I'd bowl a slower leg-break. I'd also watch their pads from around the wicket."

VARIATIONS

"You need to ask yourself 'what, when and why'. You don't just bowl a variation for the sake of it. When you have landed a few leg breaks and batsmen are starting to look a bit more comfortable, then try something that makes them think.

"The flipper is a harder ball to bowl - one for the older teenagers - but the wrong 'un is one youngsters can try. You do the same as you do with the usual leg break but make sure it comes out the back of your hand. You want to keep the same pace, although your arm should be slightly higher."

FIELD SETTINGS

"The majority of young spinners will drop the ball short when they start so you want to protect the square boundaries. That way there is protection for the pull and cut shot, the bad ball doesn't go for four all the time and captains keep you on. Once you start to feel okay, then the catchers at short cover and slip come into play and the close fielders can maintain the pressure by preventing singles."

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