Spin Bowling by G. Goonesena is a scarce and highly engaging instructional title from the classic Young Sportsman Series, published in 1959. Written in an accessible, conversational style, the book is framed as a dialogue between a young cricketer and Goonesena himself—then a respected player for Cambridge University and Nottinghamshire.
 
At a time when specialist coaching manuals were far less common, this volume offered aspiring cricketers practical insights into the art of spin bowling, covering technique, variation, control, and match awareness. Goonesena’s approach reflects the fundamentals of mid-20th century cricket coaching, with an emphasis on rhythm, accuracy, and tactical intelligence rather than pure athleticism.
 
What makes this title particularly appealing today is its place within cricket’s “golden era” of instruction—before the modern professionalisation of coaching. It captures a period when knowledge of the game was passed down through experience and mentorship, making it both historically interesting and stylistically distinctive.
 
The book also carries additional interest through Goonesena’s background as one of the early prominent Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) cricketers to make an impact in English cricket, adding a subtle but important layer to its historical significance.
 
Compact, well-presented, and increasingly difficult to find in such clean condition with dustjacket, this is a desirable addition for collectors of vintage cricket literature and coaching manuals.