Ben Austin cricketer death: ‘Wanger’ machine bowled fatal ball in Ferntree Gully nets
Retailing for around $65 (club) to $99 (elite), the Wanger is a much more affordable option than a bowling machine, which can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Wanger also better simulates the shooter’s natural movement. While the bowling machine launches the balls from the same point on each delivery, the sidearm allows the bowler to change the release point and alternate bowling balls to different lines and lengths.
Depending on the user’s movement and how the ball is placed, the device can simulate swing and seam motion and even speed changes.
Coaches at the higher levels throw the ball well in front of the bowling green to simulate the higher speed a player will face in the game, but this is not a practice that occurs at all levels.
Is it difficult to use?
They may be.
Many club coaches and park cricketers are skilled enough to bowl hundreds of balls to players during training, but no one is perfect and mistakes do happen.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald carries a sling commonly used in cricket training.Credit: Getty Images
Even the best can struggle with this skill. The imprint saw a former cricketer playing at the international level struggle with his control while taking shots at members of the national men’s Test team during training.
Is it dangerous to use Vanger?
There are always dangers in games involving a projectile as hard as a cricket ball and thrown at speeds in excess of 100 km per hour.
If the bowler misjudges the release point, he can send down a beamer (full delivery above waist height) or a bouncer.
Australian batsman Travis Head faces a vanger’s ball during training earlier this year.Credit: Getty Images
The beamer is illegal, dangerous and called a no-ball by the referees. It is more difficult than other deliveries as the batsman will not expect such a ball, especially if it is accidentally directed towards the head.
A bouncer is a short-pitched pitch that can pass a batter above shoulder height or, in some cases, hit the batter in the head.
It is also worth noting that on training nights across the country, tens of thousands of cricketers of all ages and levels are faced with balls thrown at them without incident.
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