Named Merlyn by Bola, the machine has finally arrived in Bangladesh after months of planning, fulfilling a long-standing wish of national batters such as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy.
Imported from England, the machine reached Chattogram Port on Sunday evening. Unlike conventional bowling machines, the spin-specific device is heavier and structurally different, which means it could not be transported by air and had to be shipped by sea instead.
The machine is valued at around £10,000 (approximately BDT 1.6 million). BCB’s cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees introduced the machine to the media and explained its significance for Bangladesh cricket.
According to Nafees, this type of machine is more commonly used in countries like England, Australia, and New Zealand, where spin-friendly conditions are less common and batters need additional support to prepare against turn.
“This type of bowling machine is not used very often in the subcontinent because we know countries like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have plenty of spin bowlers. It is mainly used in countries like England, Australia and New Zealand, where pitches or conditions are not spin-friendly, so they use it for practice,” Nafees said.
In the subcontinent, however, such machines are not widely used because teams usually have plenty of spinners available in training.
He added that the machine can simulate multiple types of spin deliveries, with adjustable length and pace. Batters can use it to prepare against both quicker and slower spinners, making it a valuable addition to BCB’s training equipment.
“Among the training tools we already have, this bowling machine is a new addition. It can simulate three different types of deliveries, and the length can also be adjusted. You can also control the pace for example, some spinners bowl quicker while others bowl slower and that variation can also be replicated.”
