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You may think this would restrict the use of BOLA bowling machines but not a bit of it. Worcestershire County Cricket Club has installed a metal container to store their two new BOLA machines and stands at the side of the playing area.
"The new stands are great and we can wheel out the machines and have them operating inside ten minutes. I also like the huge improvement in safety the stands provide," explains Damien D'Oliveira who is the County's Assistant Coach and Academy Director.
"We
can also push the stands out to the edge of the square and the professionals
like to practice for the Twenty20. They enjoy training on the square because
that is where they will have to perform. They challenge each others hitting
abilities and I feel much safer on the stand behind the screen as they smash
balls out of the ground. BOLA have also made us some white balls which makes
the whole thing more realistic," said Damien.
GREATBATCH
BOLA DISPATCH
New Zealander Mark Greatbatch is a Warwickshire's head coach and a great believer
in the BOLA machine. Unsatiated by the five machines in situ at the Edgbaston
indoor school he has a BOLA machine at home!
In truth the new BOLA is to benefit the next generation of cricketing Greatbatch’s: Charles aged seven and Alice aged twelve. Both youngsters are enjoying their cricket and are keen members of the Junior Bears.
Mark has been a machine user all his career and reports that the BOLA was always regarded as the world’s number one machine in New Zealand. A powerful left-hander during his test career Mark was a pioneer of one-day pinch hitting.
Mark likes to use the machines off-spin and leg-spin functions and thinks the turning ball produced by BOLA is challenging and improves technique. He also uses the machines to improve player’s awareness of the line of a delivery. By running a string between the stumps and the machine players can see which deliveries are on and off line and develop strategies to deal with them.
ASCOTT & SHAPWICK CC
The new BOLA at Ashcott and Shapwick Cricket Club in Somerset has resulted in the attendance of junior training nights rocketing. The club is doing well – promoted to West of England League – but perhaps the key is that young players are given plenty of opportunity. Up to six youngsters (between 14 and 16 years old) will play each week in the Second XI or Sunday side.
As a result of
their youth policy the club can now boast three Somerset County age-group
players. Ben Rudge who regularly turns out for the first team is a member
of Somerset’s development squad and a West of England middle-order batsman
and fast bowler, while James Haggett is a member of Somerset’s Under13
group and Elite fast bowling squad. Also
to be found in the 1st team – when he has no commitments elsewhere –
is Calum Haggett, James’s brother. Calum is a top order batter and fast
bowler who also plays for Somerset Academy and in 2005, at the age of 14,
was the youngest ever player to represent the County at 2nd XI level. Calum
is also West of England captain and in the England Under15
training squad a Loughborough. Last year he was awarded a cricketing scholarship
by Millfield School and Somerset County Cricket Club have agreed to assist
with his fees, the first time the County have ever assisted a young player
in this way.
