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

Spin bowling challenges a batsman's skills in a way that medium and fast bowling does not.

My favourite cricket photo of all time is the posed one of the great Australian batsman Victor Trumper at the Oval, where he leaps out at the ball, bat wound up high above his head, ready to uncoil and unleash fury.

It's pure poetry.

The photo is posed, but there is no doubt that Victor is double-stepping towards the ball. Most probably the cameraman asked him to pretend he is playing a spinner. "Just pretend you are about to murder a spinner Victor."

A beautiful battle

There is something mesmerising in watching a top batsman dance towards to the ball. And when a top spin bowler is fighting against a top batsman who shows dazzling footwork then all is good and right in this world.

But, without spin bowlers we will not get to enjoy this.

Think of the horror of only watching medium trundlers running and trying to contain.

Footwork must be show against all types of bowlers. But, the true beauty of footwork is shown on a dusty, spinning track where the batsman is meeting the ball on the bounce every time, giving it no time to turn. Frustrating for the spin bowler, for sure, but a joy to watch as a cricketing purist.

And although seeing a genuine fast bowler in full fearsome flight is a sight to behold we must ensure that the art of spin always thrives.

Spin is beautiful in itself but it also leads to beautiful batting.

Magical cricket.

The indian leftie Bishan Bedi use to applaud (much to the irritation of his teammates) the batsman when played a good shot against him. He did this with genuine admiration and no hint of sarcasm.

He knew he was part of the process that gives and takes in cricket - and if a batsman hit him through the covers for four, well then it might as well be a batsman showing dazzling footwork.

We can't all be dazzling batsmen but we can work on it.

We can't all be world-class spinners but we can work on it.

You owe it to work hard and master your game.

You owe it to your opponent at the other end and you owe it to the majesty of the battle that is the game of cricket.

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