Sydney-raised NZ spinner Will Somerville aims to succeed where other haven’t at SCG

Australia hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for visiting finger spinners but New Zealand’s Will Somerville comes into the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a different perspective.

Will Somerville bowls in the SCG nets on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

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Overseas finger spinners get haunted by history when they bowl in Australia but New Zealand’s Will Somerville is not your traditional tourist.

As a Sydney-raised qualified accountant Will Somerville knows all about numbers and there is one set he best not read entering his possible recall Test for the Black Caps against Australia at the SCG on Friday.

It’s one which says how highly rated slow bowlers Ravi Ashwin (27 wickets at 48), Graeme Swann (22 at 52), Harbhajan Singh (eight at 61) and Monty Panesaar (13 at 49) struggled desperately in Australia.

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Will Somerville bowls in the SCG nets on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

But the SCG is no house of horrors for him. It’s like an old back yard at a house you never really wanted to leave.

“It’s pretty special to be back where my kids were born,’’ said Somerville who went to Cranbrook School, also the alma mater of former Test batsman Ed Cowan.

“My mother and father-in-law live down the road in Coogee and the kids are staying there for the week. Very special, for sure.

“I had a bit of success and loved playing (12 matches) for NSW, the start of my professional career at 30. I got picked for the Blues and played a few games for the Sixers. The SCG is a wonderful place to do that and I was grateful for the opportunity.’’

He went well too, taking 23 wickets at 20 in five matches at the SCG including two five wicket hauls.

“Two days ago I got the call when I was playing Twenty20 cricket for Auckland. I’m pinching myself that I’m here in front of the Members [Stand] talking to you guys.’’

Will Somerville playing Sydney grade cricket for Easts last year

Many of his influences in the game were Sydneysiders, including Test rival Nathan Lyon.

“I spent a lot of time training as I didn’t play that many games in four years. I bowled a lot with SOK (Steve O’Keefe), and Beau Casson was our bowling coach and I always chatted to Nathan when he was around and tried to feed off the GOAT of off-spin bowling. He’s got a very pure action and it’s nice to watch. I learned from those guys.

“I also spent a bit of time with Greg Matthews who gives a different perspective on things. A few really good words that stick in my mind.’’

“I played one first-class game [in 2017-18] for NSW and I was 33 and I thought ‘why don’t I try and play more cricket’. I spoke to Mark O’Donnell at Auckland, there was an opening with one of their spinners retiring and he said ‘come over and you’ll play all the four-day games’. I was super excited to play 10 games and it evolved from there.’’