Menno Gazendam is author of the popular Spin Bowling Project online coaching course. This week he discusses how to captain spinners.

The best players have always been the brave players.

Just think of Marshall batting with a broken hand, Graeme Smith a broken finger, Murali with a problem hamstring bowling his heart out at the World Cup, Kumble with bandages around his head still fizzing down top spinners: all great players, all brave.

But, there is a different type of bravery in cricket, one that is often overlooked. One that you will rarely hear mentioned in any commentary.

Being the captain of spin bowlers.

Captaining spin bowlers needs a brave soul. Most fall short. The reasons are that most captains do not really get or know how to deal with spinner.

SO here are the things you need to know if you are going to captain spinners well.

Spin bowlers go for more boundaries than the quicks

Most captains start cringing when their spin bowlers start going for boundaries. And thoughts of dread run through their mind "oh no, they are starting to climb into the spinners, better take them off”.

It’s a common sight for a captain to take his spin bowler out of the attack after going for a six, while his quick bowler on the other side went for 6 singles.

While the 6 singles only proved the batsman is in total control of the fast bowler, the 5 dots and 1 six from the spin bowler proved that he is on top of the batsman.

In this case the spin bowler offers the captain much more chance of getting a wicket. But, you can be sure that he will take the spin bowler off.

Spin bowlers go for more boundaries (but not necessarily more runs) than quick bowlers.

An astute captain should not be deterred by this but encouraged.

Wickets win matches (yes, even 20/20 games)

It's OK for the batsman to be bogged down and having the occasional slog sweep to cow corner, and clearing the boundary.

Most batsmen have no self-control

Batsman are strange creatures. They start drroling as soon as they see a spinner brought into the attack. Their eyes open wider and their heart races a little faster. “Easy runs” is usually the first thing that come to their mind.

And so they take the spinner on. Like a red rag to a bull. They start swinging at it like madmen.

And sometimes they connect.

This happens.

Don't panic. Bite your lip (I won’t advise looking the other way), as you will immediately know if this is good solid batting or just an opportunistic batting.

If it is, then give your spinner a few more overs. You will be rewarded with a wicket.

Most batsmen can’t play spin (although they think they can)

Most batsmen are not good at playing spin (especially in the non-Asian countries). And you will do well as a captain to give your spin bowlers a proper go.

Yes, there will be boundaries, big ones, but back your spin bowler and tell him to keep at it.

You can’t make an omelette without cracking a few eggs and you can’t take wickets with spin bowlers without giving away a few boundaries.

For more detailed spin bowling advice, tips, tricks, tactics and training drill for spinners, get the Spin Bowling Project onine coaching course.