Indian legend gives Horton a helping hand

6:32am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

Lancashire batsman Paul Horton is hoping that a winter coaching clinic with Mohammad Azharuddin can spur him towards greater things this summer.

Horton, 25, finished last season as the club's Player of the Year on the back of a sparkling full debut campaign that brought him three County Championship centuries.

The Sydney-born opener, who spent his teenage years playing in Liverpool, was one of a group of Red Rose youngsters sent to Mumbai's World Cricket Academy in February for a ten-day batting clinic.

And the iconic former India skipper was part of the coaching team: "He was just around our nets and our training," explained Horton of Azharuddin's involvement.

"There was eight of us out there, and he had a chat with each one of us. It's hard for him to come and tell us to do this, that and the other. But he had his way, and you have got to take things on board because he was a very special cricketer.

"I learnt a few different things. He had a couple of new ideas about playing spin bowling. He had his own different slant. If I can take anything from it, then great."

Horton also spent six weeks playing for the Sunshine Coast in Queensland grade cricket, while practising with his good friend Ashley Noffke, the Australia seam bowler.

He will play in today's County Championship LV Division One fixture against Somerset at Old Trafford, having top scored with 59 in last week's draw at Surrey.

"I was happy with my return. I got out to a good ball, but hopefully next time I can stay in there and get to three figures," he said.

Iain Sutcliffe should continue to open with Horton today, at the expense of former captain Mark Chilton.

Of the decision to leave Chilton out, Horton added: "I was surprised, and I think that it was a surprise to a few people.

"But Sutty is hitting the ball as sweetly as I have ever seen him. It is just nice to have some competition. We are all vying for our places - we are all under pressure."

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