World class bowling machine of National Cricket Academy

• In its continuous efforts to equip players with advanced training facilities and match simulation practice, the Pakistan Cricket Board has built a world-class Trueman 3 bowling machine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

On the front of the sophisticated bowling machine, there is a high-contrast LED animation of a bowler which synchronises precisely with the release of the ball. The bowler animations are based on real bowling actions and give batters a chance to learn their triggers, decision making and batting sequences in a game-like setting.

The machine allows coaches and players to change line, length, speed, swing and height, and individual balls, overs and spells may be saved and played back in sequence or randomly to generate match-like circumstances.

Director High-Performance Aqib Javed said: “The Trueman 3 machine is the latest technology and we are the first cricket board to use it. In classic bowling machines players typically struggle to get used to the bowler’s release point, their trigger motions and when to get ready.

“The plus point of this machine is that the batter can see on screen the video of the bowler and sync himself accordingly. Simultaneously, the machine may be programmed as per a batter’s requirement which assists in preparing the player extremely close to a match situation.”

Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who faced deliveries from the machine at the NCA speaking to PCB Digital said: “The biggest advantage of this machine is that the batter can relate his practice to a match situation. As cricket is advancing towards the contemporary day new shots and new tactics are coming in and this machine helps us prepare for those challenges.

“It’s like a bowler coming in and bowling. The ball comes in with an action so you have to time it like you do in a game. “I think this technology is going to help batters get even better and we will benefit even more from it in future.”