READ pace ace Oliver Newby is hoping the science of sport can help him star in the County Championship this season – and finally cement his place in Lancashire’s four-day team.

The 28-year-old made his Red Rose debut in 2003 but has only played 48 Championship games.

But he says a winter coaching course coach Peter Moores has undertaken about the biomechanics of bowling actions to make changes will bring him more consistency and power through his own action.

“Mooresy has been doing a course on rotation and action types,” said Newby.

“There are vertical and horizontal action types, and I had a vertical action.

“We’ve changed that to more of a horizontal action, which means more rotation. It feels a lot more comfortable now.

“I went to the Dennis Lillee Academy in India earlier in my career, and they got me bowling in a similar way to Brett Lee because he was so successful at the time.

“We’ve moved away from that now, and tried to get more rotation.

“It just means that I’m not quite falling away as much. With a vertical action, I used to fall away to try and get power.

“With a horizontal action, I can get that a lot easier. I’m bowling well, and hopefully I’ll get an opportunity. If I get picked in that first game, hopefully I can run with it.

“I feel really confident with my one-day stuff. From kicking off last year, I think I’ve made big strides and am really looking forward to the one-day games.

“But my end goal is to get a permanent place in the Championship team.”

Despite the departure of big mate Sajid Mahmood to Essex and a knee injury ruling Kabir Ali out of the start of the season, competition for fast bowling places against Worcester in the County Championship opener is still fierce between the likes of Newby, Kyle Hogg, Wayne White and Gavin Griffiths to play alongside captain, Earby’s Glen Chapple.