Mangalore, September 8: There is good news for Mangalore’s cricket aficionados and aspirants looking forward to learn the game, especially children. The coastal city has got its first bowling machine which would be up for use during coaching sessions.
The machine will be used from the upcoming coaching programme beginning on September 16 at St Aloysius Centenary Grounds under the joint auspices of Cricket India Academy and Cricket Australia, Samuel Jayaraj, Cricket Coach, Mangala Sports Pvt Ltd said.
“The machine was procured four years ago from Mumbai for about Rs. 2 and a half lakh. But it had not been used so far as we needed apt surfaces to put it to use as well. Now we also have three Astro Turf artificial pitches besides mat wickets. The Astro Turf wickets will also be the first ones to be used in Mangalore”, he reveals.
The bowling machine is likely to enhance the overall learning experience in coaching camps, Mr. Jayaraj says. “They help in serving deliveries to the practicing batsman just the way we intend to. There are controls to manipulate the speeds of the deliveries being bowled and also the bounce and lengths”, he says.
The machine procured for Mangalore has been manufactured by an international company called ‘Jugs’. ‘Jugs’ bowling machines can simulate in-swing, out-swing, fast rising deliveries and even slow spin. Bowling speeds in the machine range from 32-167 kph (20-104 mph). That these machines are portable and easy to operate, they help a great deal in cricket coaching. Bowling machines are even used for fielding drills and catching practices owing to their 360 degree movements.
