If you want to improve your batting, one of the best things you can do is face more balls. Sounds simple, but the problem is that good, consistent bowling is not always easy to find in a net session. That is where a bowling machine comes in.
At HECC Cricket in Hertfordshire, we use Bola bowling machines as part of our indoor net hire sessions. Whether you are a junior working on your footwork or an experienced club player trying to sharpen your game, a bowling machine can give you a type of practice that is hard to get anywhere else.
What Is a Bowling Machine and How Does It Work?
A bowling machine is a piece of kit that fires cricket balls at a batter at a set speed and line. You control the settings, which means you can choose how fast the ball comes, where it pitches, and what type of delivery it is.
The Bola machines at HECC are trusted by clubs and coaches all over the country. They are straightforward to use and can be adjusted to suit players of different ages and abilities. They can even be paired with an automatic ball feeder, so you can keep hitting without stopping to pick up balls.
Why Use a Bowling Machine for Batting Practice?
Here is the honest answer: consistency. When you practise against a human bowler, the quality of the delivery changes from ball to ball. A bowling machine gives you the same delivery, over and over, so you can really focus on your technique.
This is especially useful when you are trying to change a habit or build a new skill. Repetition is how the brain learns movement, and a bowling machine gives you that repetition in a safe, controlled environment.
The England and Wales Cricket Board coaching programme supports the idea that players develop best when practice is purposeful and repeated. A bowling machine session, when used well, does exactly that.
What Can You Work On?
A bowling machine session is most useful when you have a clear goal. Here are some of the things batters work on at HECC:
1. Footwork and Getting Into Position
Many batters struggle with footwork, especially against faster bowling. When the machine fires balls at the same speed and line every time, you can practise your trigger movement and get your feet into the right position before you play your shot. You can groove the same movement tens of times in a single session.
2. Playing Specific Deliveries
If you want to practise playing off stump, outside off stump, or on your pads, you can set the machine to do exactly that. This lets you work on specific shots rather than waiting for the right ball to come along in a normal net session.
3. Batting at Different Speeds
A bowling machine can be set at slow, medium, or fast pace. This is really useful for building confidence. You might start at a slower speed to get your shape right, then gradually increase the pace as you feel more comfortable.
4. Playing Against Spin
Some bowling machines can produce spin, which gives you the chance to work on reading the ball and using your feet against slower bowling. This kind of practice is hard to replicate without a specialist spin bowler.
5. Match Simulation
You can set up a scenario and try to play a certain number of balls as if it were a real game. This is a great way to train your focus and make your practice feel more like the real thing.
A Guide to Bowling Machine Settings
Understanding what to adjust on the machine makes a big difference to the quality of your session. The table below shows common settings and what they are useful for:
| Setting | What It Does | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Speed (mph) | Controls how fast the ball is delivered | Building confidence at lower speeds; pressure training at higher speeds |
| Line | Where the ball is aimed (on stumps, outside off, into pads) | Practising specific shots and defensive positions |
| Length | Where the ball bounces (full, good length, short) | Working on drives, pulls, cuts and defence |
| Height | Affects trajectory and bounce | Simulating different pitch types |
| Spin (if available) | Adds off spin or leg spin movement | Working on footwork and playing spin |
How to Get the Most Out of Your Session
Here are a few tips to make sure you leave the HECC lanes having actually improved:
Have a plan before you start. Decide what you want to work on and stick to it. If you are working on your cover drive, practise your cover drive. Do not just hit every ball as hard as you can.
Start slow, then build. Set the machine at a comfortable speed first. Once your movement and shape feel right, increase the pace.
Record yourself if you can. Using your phone to film a few balls is a great way to check your technique. You might be surprised at what you see.
Take breaks between sets. You will get more out of shorter, focused sets than one long, tiring session. Rest between sets and reset your mind.
Ask a coach to watch. You can add coaching to your booking at HECC. Having a qualified eye on your batting while you face the machine is one of the most effective ways to improve. Find out more about one to one and small group coaching at HECC.
Who Is It For?
The honest answer is everyone. Bowling machine hire at HECC is used by:
- Younger players who want extra practice time
- Junior cricketers building confidence against faster bowling
- Adults working on a specific shot or habit they want to fix
- Club players preparing for the new season
- Players coming back from injury who want to ease back into batting
You do not need to be an advanced cricketer to benefit. In fact, earlier in your development is often the best time to use a machine, because you can build good habits before bad ones set in.
Want to Go Further?
A bowling machine session is a great starting point, but if you really want to develop your batting, combining it with structured coaching makes a big difference.
At HECC, we run regular batting workshops for players aged 11 to 17. Led by Head Coach Luke Humphrey (ECB Level 4) and Adam Pearce (ECB Level 2), these sessions focus on the fundamentals of technique, developing game plans, and working on match scenarios versus spin and pace. Places are limited, so it is worth booking early.
How to Book Bowling Machine Hire at HECC
Bowling machine hire is available as an add-on when you book a lane at HECC Cricket in Sawbridgeworth. It costs an extra £15 per hour on top of your lane booking. You can book online through the HECC website, or call the centre on 01279 724782.
HECC is open seven days a week. Lane bookings are available from 9:00am to 10:00pm at weekends, with evening sessions available on weekdays from 3:00pm.
Whether you are booking a solo session with the machine and auto-feeder, or hiring a lane with a group, the HECC team can help you set things up and get the most out of your time.
Head to the indoor net hire page to check availability and book your session.