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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: eaowbear on October 28, 2010, 08:52:53 AM

Title: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: eaowbear on October 28, 2010, 08:52:53 AM: Found this article which shows Nasser Hussain facing the ECB’s new ‘bowling machine’ called Pro-Batter which from the article …’matched video footage of the bowler to the actual ball bowled at the time with the help of Hawy Eye technology’.

Looks an interesting invention and a bit more advanced than the bowling machines I have faced, which it should be at a cost of £50,000!

Well worth a read

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-1324006/Nasser-Hussain-insight-Former-England-captain-takes-Aussie-bowling-machine.html
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Washington on October 28, 2010, 08:59:30 AM: Yeah i saw this on sky sports news a week or so ago . . .stephen davies was facing ben hilfenhaus and mitch johnson!

Looked superb and i think the principle and technology behind it is amazing . . . .think it was adapted from american baseball . . .staggering really as i thought yanks were only capable of wrecking football clubs :)
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: peplow on October 28, 2010, 08:59:43 AM: saw this, it looks brillaint! but a bit odd to bat against!
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: peplow on October 28, 2010, 09:00:33 AM: look at nassa with his goose too ;)
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: eaowbear on October 28, 2010, 09:03:35 AM: Did change his bat halfway through the net, mind!!!
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: peplow on October 28, 2010, 09:07:53 AM: Yeah just saw that.

Its a very interesting article, i can see his point about if its not going to exactly replicate then why bother and if you struggle here if its harder then your going to be unconfident and bricking it in real life when the same bowler comes on. however i think its a step forward and as its not finished yet it has potential to be great!
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: eaowbear on October 28, 2010, 09:17:27 AM: Looks like another great invention following Merlin's success in 2005 - wonder if old Merlin is still turning his arm over?
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Buzz on October 28, 2010, 09:20:36 AM: They are onto Merlin II - but without Murali and Shane Keith there isn't quite the same need...
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: roco on October 28, 2010, 09:22:14 AM: Not a fan myself can't see it replicating the bowler that well due to release points
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: niceonechoppy on October 28, 2010, 09:39:23 AM: Think the main benefit is the physcological advantage come the first test. If say Cook has been practicising for hours against Hilfenhaus without getting out, he is naturally going to be more confident when facing him for real.

There would be more pressure implied on the batsman when facing ProBatter too, I would imgine so certainly more positives than negatives. Much better than simply facing a bowling machine.
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Washington on October 28, 2010, 09:54:23 AM: I think the main benefit of ProBatter which choppy and the atricle eluded to is visualisation. The confidence this will assert on the players will be priceless especially to those who will be making there ashes debut
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: tim2000s on October 28, 2010, 09:57:44 AM: Quote from: eaowbear on October 28, 2010, 09:17:27 AM
Looks like another great invention following Merlin's success in 2005 - wonder if old Merlin is still turning his arm over?
They took Merlin with them for the 2007 tour, and Warney still took 40 wickets...
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Canners on October 28, 2010, 10:00:59 AM: I guess its a bit like taking penalties, you can practice them all you like but its all about being out there in the middle actually taking it under those conditions....

however if its gonna help us beat the ozzies i'm all for it
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: niceonechoppy on October 28, 2010, 10:01:50 AM: Quote from: tim2000s on October 28, 2010, 09:57:44 AM
They took Merlin with them for the 2007 tour, and Warney still took 40 wickets...
He didnt take that many in 2007, compared to 2005. 22 I think, so it sort of worked?!

The main issue I have with Merlin is that can it change the flight/dip generated on the ball and give subtle changes of pace?
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Howzat on October 28, 2010, 11:25:01 AM: Quote from: tim2000s on October 28, 2010, 09:57:44 AM
They took Merlin with them for the 2007 tour, and Warney still took 40 wickets...
Would probably have taken 60 if they hadn't
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Liam-SCCC on October 28, 2010, 11:29:52 AM: that is so cool! I would love to have a go, can anyone lend me £50,000!? :p
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: mars on October 28, 2010, 01:07:11 PM: Anyone know a video of this new machine?
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Tom on October 28, 2010, 01:10:23 PM: http://www.ecbtv.co.uk/video/20101021/introducing-probatter_2276250_2191422
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Liam-SCCC on October 28, 2010, 04:55:35 PM: wow, thats even better! Didn't realise it had the video of the player running in
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: mars on October 28, 2010, 09:59:10 PM: Quite amazing how far we have developed since throw-downs! I wonder what's next!
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: Liam-SCCC on November 23, 2010, 05:11:31 PM: Ponting was nearly knocked out by one of these,

Just when it seemed things could not get any worse for Australia, their captain and batting kingpin Ponting is almost floored by an errant bowling machine.
The Aussies were using the new high-tech ProBatter bowling machine, first tested by England players, that simulates bowling actions when the screen went blank. Suddenly a short pitched delivery came from nowhere and reared up at an unprepared Ponting, who managed to deflect the ball away without suffering injury.

Full story: Herald Sun
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: peplow on November 23, 2010, 05:15:48 PM: Haha imagine that bowler is running in and half way through his run up a ball is flung at you at 90 mph!

I shouldnt laugh, could have been serious...
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: tommo256 on November 23, 2010, 05:17:48 PM: I read that this morning in mail, bought a cheeky smile to my face
Title: Re: Pro-Batter - the ECB's new bowling machine
Post by: tugga_5 on December 05, 2010, 03:12:58 PM: They would make a fortune if they opened it to the public and charged for people to bat for say an hour.