Menno Gazendam is author of Spin Bowling Project. Get your free 8 week spin bowling course here

Why would anyone prepare pitches that do not take any spin?

It's a great loss for the game when the beauty of spin bowling is neutralised by flat pitches. It is a modern day trend at the top level cricket that will hopefully change.

Luckily, at club level the pitch usually just is what it is.

No groundsmen spent weeks preparing it to the exact specifications of the home team. And so, you will find more turning pitches at lower levels than at top levels.

Yet, it does happen that you arrive at the game on a Saturday and you are met with a flat looking pitch that looks like glass. One that will not take even a little turn.

What do you do?

• Spin as hard as possible. This does not make sense at first, as why would you spin the ball as hard as possible when the pitch is not even turning? Well, the more revolutions you put on the ball the more it will dip as a result if the Magnus Effect. When you are faced with a pitch that does not turn it becomes even more important to beat the batsman in the air. So, rip it as hard as possible.
• Bowl more top spin. Top spin will make the ball dip even sharper than usual. You will lose drift, but that is OK.
• Bowl a straighter line. Remember your old lines - based on big turn off the pitch - will not work as the ball is staying straight on the pitch.

So, as you can see your tactic becomes one of beating the batsman in the air rather than off the pitch.

What happens in the air is not influenced by the pitch and so is always a good tactic for those flat non-spinning days.

For more detailed spin bowling advice, tips, tricks, tactics and training drills for spinners in all formats of cricket, get the Spin Bowling Project free 8 week email coaching course.