Bowling Machine Practice
Also known as: bowling machine, batting against a bowling machine, bowling machine practice, cricket bowling machine, machine batting practice
A bowling machine is good for repeating one length, line or pace until a shot is grooved. Its big weakness is timing. There is no bowler's action to pick up, so batters can learn to time the feeder's hand instead. Use it alongside live bowling, at a pace you control, with full protection.
A machine delivers the same ball again and again. That makes it ideal for working on a single shot, such as the drive, the cut or the leave. It can also give you pace or bounce your club bowlers cannot. You can set the machine to swing or bounce, and practise for as long as you like.
Many coaches warn about the timing trap. With no run-up or action to read, a batter's trigger can fall out of sync with real bowling. One fix is for the feeder to show the ball and say when they are about to feed. Then move your trigger in rhythm with that. Vary the speed between sets, and return to live bowling soon after machine work. That lets your timing adjust.
Machines can be dangerous. The ECB notes that a small change in speed can change the length by up to two feet, and the bounce with it. Its guidance says the operator should be an experienced adult, never someone under 18. Watch a few deliveries from beside the machine before taking strike. The batter must be told before any adjustment, and the speed kept to what they can play with some certainty. Under-18s must wear a helmet with a grille, and male juniors a box. A neck guard is strongly advised for everyone.
Tips by skill level
Start the machine slow and ask the feeder to show you each ball before it goes in. Build the speed up only when you are middling it.
Use the machine to rehearse one problem ball, such as the short ball at your ribs. Then test the shot against live bowling within a day or two.
Example
A batter sets the machine to full balls just outside off stump and drives 40 of them through cover. The feeder holds up each ball before feeding it. The next week she drives against live bowlers to check her timing.
Why it matters
Machines give lots of high-quality repetition. Knowing their limits stops them from teaching bad timing.
Common mistakes
- Timing the trigger to the machine's whirr instead of building a rhythm with the feeder
- Turning the speed up beyond what you can play with control
- Changing the machine's settings without telling the batter
- Spending all your practice on the machine and none against bowlers
Frequently asked questions
Is a bowling machine good for batting practice?
Yes, for repeating one shot or length many times. But it has no bowling action to read, which can upset your timing. Mix machine work with live bowling and ask the feeder to show you each ball.
How do I get my timing right against a bowling machine?
Ask the feeder to show the ball and call when they are about to feed it. Start your trigger in rhythm with that, and build the speed up gradually.
Do you need a helmet against a bowling machine?
Yes. In England and Wales under-18s must wear a helmet with a grille against a machine, and male juniors a box. The ECB recommends adults wear a helmet too, with a neck guard.
Sources
Related terms
- Making Net Practice CountGo into every net with one or two clear goals, such as leaving well outside off stump or rotating the strike against spin. Bat in match scenarios with a target and count your dismissals honestly. A short, focused net with some pressure helps more on match day than a long, aimless hit.
- Sidearm Throwdowns (Ball Thrower)A sidearm, or dog stick, is a long-handled thrower that lets a coach deliver a hard ball at real pace without a bowler. It is ideal for grooving one length or shot. The ECB says only experienced adults should use one, and always from the full length of the pitch with a hard ball.
- Timing the BallTiming the ball means meeting it with the middle of the bat at the right moment. The bat face should point where you want the ball to go. Keep your head still and over the ball, let it come under your eyes and swing smoothly through it. A well-timed shot travels further than the effort behind it suggests.
- Cover DriveThe cover drive is an elegant front-foot stroke that sends a full ball outside off stump through cover, between point and mid-off.
- Cricket Helmet and Neck GuardA cricket helmet with a faceguard or grille protects the head and face from the ball. A neck guard, or stem guard, attaches to the back of the helmet to protect the upper neck. Rules vary by country and level. In England and Wales, under-18s must wear a helmet with a faceguard or grille when batting against a hard ball.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.