![Bangladesh Cricket Team [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775494910186_BangladeshCricketTeam.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh Cricket Team [Source: AP]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board have roped in a historical equipment that is aimed at changing the fate of net practice in the country forever. For the first time ever, Bangladesh have introduced a spin bowling machine to enhance players' preparation for international and domestic encounters.
While the Bengal Tigers has been considered one of those countries who slightly lags in modern equipment armory, they have now introduced a technological advancement that is widely used all over the world by national and international cricket teams to improve batting quality at the net.
How Widely is the Spin Bowling Machine Used by Other Countries?
Meanwhile India, Bangladesh's neighbor, have boasted a wide variety of spin bowling machines for training and commercial use for a long time.
Now, they have an advanced AI-powered two-wheel and three-wheel machine capable of simulating leg spin, off-spin, and as well as flighted deliveries from top manufacturers in the market.
These spin bowling machines use two to three independently controlled high-speed rotating wheels to grip and propel a cricket ball at various speeds and various trajectories, which can be controlled manually as well as automatically.
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As a ball is fed into a chute, gripped by the rubber wheels, it then launches the ball towards the batter, set at the desired angle and length for practice.
India uses this machine with countries like New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa also utilising it for a long period of time.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Ropes In Merlyn With £10,000
The BCB have roped in the device for the first time in the country as the equipment is named Merlyn by BOLA.
The machine was first seen on Monday during the national team's skill camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, ahead of the crucial New Zealand series.
Before this spin bowling machine, Bangladesh primarily used only the pace bowling machine that was used to practice seam bowling and short-pitch deliveries.
What Would Merlyn Do?
Now, the introduction of this new equipment have addressed a long-required need to train for quality spin bowling in the nets.
“This machine had been under discussion for a long time and was ordered recently,” Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees told reporters.
“With this, you can play three types of deliveries -- off-spin, leg-spin, and arm ball. The length of the ball can be adjusted, and the pace can be increased or decreased. It can be operated in both manual and automatic modes. In automatic mode, you can play 25–30 balls at a time,” Shahriar Nafees added.
As per the BCB official, the machine was purchased for around 16 lakh Taka or £10,000. Nevertheless, the machine will be one of the pioneering architectural instrument that the team will ever have.
According to the manufacturer, this equipment is one of the most advanced and accurate spin bowling training aids in the world, where it was originally invented by Henry Pryor.
The next generation model was developed by Stuart and Williams for the England and Wales Cricket Board to help players better prepare against spin bowling.
Bengal Tigers Eyeing New Zealand Series Win
Nevertheless, with stakes being high and costly gears being roped in, Bangladesh is eyeing the New Zealand tour starting from April 17 after they were discarded from the T20 World Cup 2026.
New Zealand will visit the country for a three-match ODI and a three-match T20I series, concluding on May 2. While the first and second ODI and the third T20I will be played at Mirpur. All the rest of the games of the tour will be hosted by Chattogram.
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