{"id":197093,"date":"2026-07-25T17:20:55","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T22:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=197093"},"modified":"2026-07-25T17:20:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T22:50:55","slug":"australia-under-19-cricketer-john-james-turns-to-biju-george-to-crack-spin-puzzle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=197093","title":{"rendered":"Australia Under-19 cricketer John James turns to Biju George\u00a0to crack spin puzzle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71266223\">When\u00a0former\u00a0Australia Under-19 cricketer John James returned to his roots in Kerala, it was not just to connect with his family, but also to solve cricket\u2019s most difficult puzzle: mastering spin on sub-continental wickets.<\/p>\n<p>He contacted the renowned cricket coach Biju George through a family friend and arranged for a week-long training\u00a0stint to reshape his game. \u201cTo train on subcontinent wickets was on\u00a0my bucket list for a while. So, when I finally decided to visit Kerala after three years I also packed my cricket kit. Biju sir was kind enough to take time off his busy schedule to help me fine-tune my game, especially against spin bowling,\u201d said James whose parents migrated to Australia when he was two months old.<\/p>\n<p>For James, the net sessions at The Sports Village Cricket Academy\u00a0were an eye opener and a massive departure from the predictable fare he is used to back home in Sydney. \u201cI don\u2019t get many opportunities to face spinners in Australia. Here I faced a massive variety of them, including a mystery spinner and a leg spinner who bowled from a medium pacer\u2019s runup. It was an incredibly enriching experience. Biju sir fine-tuned my technique, especially my front foot movement against spin. He pointed out that my head was falling back which prevented me from connecting the ball cleanly,\u2019\u2019 said James.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were working on his finishing game,\u201d said Biju George who was quick to praise the teenager\u2019s adaptability. \u201cSince he has to face spinners in the middle order, we focussed entirely on that. He is a fast learner and very promising cricketer,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>James\u2019 cricketing journey has already featured brushes with the\u00a0modern greats. He has faced Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins in the nets and during the\u00a0Border Gavaskar Trophy he was selected to run the drinks, allowing him to watch his idols from close quarters. \u201cThose were probably the three best days of my life, I was able to observe them closely and learn how they thought and executed their plans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The all-rounder has now set his sights on winning a rookie contract with New South Wales for the upcoming season. \u201cI am closer to getting a contract with NSW. To do that, I need to perform well in the Sydney Premier League for my club Parramatta District Cricket Club,\u201d he concluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jul 25, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/australia-under-19-player-john-james-kerala-coach-biju-george-training\/article71266223.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When\u00a0former\u00a0Australia Under-19 cricketer John James returned to his roots in Kerala, it was not just to connect with his family, but also to solve cricket\u2019s most difficult puzzle: mastering spin on sub-continental wickets. He contacted the renowned cricket coach Biju George through a family friend and arranged for a week-long training\u00a0stint to reshape his game&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":197094,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-197093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/James.JPG","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":193326,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=193326","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":0},"title":"Jalaj Saxena returns to Kerala for 2026-27 Indian domestic season","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"All-rounder Jalaj Saxena will represent Kerala in the 2026-27 domestic season. Jalaj, who played for Maharashtra in the 2025-26 domestic season, didn\u2019t take part in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) in June. He applied for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) and the BCCI approved his transfer, making him eligible to play\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NH16Jalaj19.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NH16Jalaj19.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NH16Jalaj19.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NH16Jalaj19.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NH16Jalaj19.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":194409,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=194409","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":1},"title":"From the archive: Peter Roebuck remembers Sir Garry Sobers as cricket\u2019s greatest all-round genius in timeless tribute","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"I first saw Gary Sobers in the flesh at Taunton in 1971. Of course, I had watched him countless times on television, in the 1963, 1966, and 1969 Test series, for example, but somehow never live before. Somerset\u2014some things remain ever the same\u2014was chasing the John Player League title. A\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image2055.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image2055.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image2055.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image2055.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image2055.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":194548,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=194548","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":2},"title":"Of Engineer, Sobers, and his hilarious golf advice to Gavaskar","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sir Garfield Sobers\u2019 wit was as effortless as his genius with bat and ball. Farokh Engineer recalled one such unforgettable moment on a golf course in Australia when the West Indies legend, watching Sunil Gavaskar repeatedly top the ball, quipped: \u201cThis is one game where you are allowed to hit\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sobers20engineer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sobers20engineer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sobers20engineer.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sobers20engineer.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sobers20engineer.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":194261,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=194261","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":3},"title":"\u2018The greatest cricketer of all time\u2019 \u2014 When Don Bradman paid tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Garry Sobers, arguably the greatest all rounder of all time, has died aged 89 West Indies Cricket announced on Friday. \u201cA great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,\u201d West Indies Cricket posted on X above a photograph of him titled \u2018Legend.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sobers_Obit_39_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sobers_Obit_39_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sobers_Obit_39_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sobers_Obit_39_1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sobers_Obit_39_1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":195660,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=195660","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":4},"title":"Kerala Cricket League 2026 \u2014 Sibin Girish completes spectacular rise from obscurity\u00a0","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From being omitted from the auction list in the inaugural edition of Kerala Cricket League (KCL) to being the most expensive player in the third edition, it has been a fairytale journey for Sibin Girish. Sibin drew aggressive bids from Calicut Globstars, Thrissur Titans and Kochi Blue Tigers before Alleppey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sibingirish.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sibingirish.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sibingirish.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sibingirish.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sibingirish.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":198737,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198737","url_meta":{"origin":197093,"position":5},"title":"Ajinkya Rahane retires: All stats, captaincy records in international cricket for India","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday after representing India for over a decade across formats. Having made his international debut in 2011 in England, Rahane turned out for India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T2OIs, aggregating 8414 runs. The Mumbai batter tallied 15 international\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_TH28AJINKYA_2_1_P5842AJV.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_TH28AJINKYA_2_1_P5842AJV.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_TH28AJINKYA_2_1_P5842AJV.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_TH28AJINKYA_2_1_P5842AJV.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_TH28AJINKYA_2_1_P5842AJV.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-PgV","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=197093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/197094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=197093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=197093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=197093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}