A wanger is a ball-throwing sidearm tool often employed by cricket players and coaches. Although it resembles a dog-ball thrower, it’s designed to cope with the rigidity of a cricket ball.
There are various models: beginners usually use the “sidearm club”, while professionals use the “sidearm elite”, which can produce balls ranging from 88 km/h to 136 km/h.
Advantages for Players and Coaches
Wangers minimize physical fatigue. Coaches can toss hundreds of balls without straining their shoulders, back, or legs something that will be exhausting if they do it manually with full overs.
They’re affordable as well, priced from INR 5000 – 8000, considerably lower than costly bowling machines. Unlike machines, wangers provide variation in release points, lines, lengths, and even replicate swing or seam movement, which makes practice more realistic.
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Skill Needed to Use a Wanger
It’s not always easy to use a wanger effectively. Most experienced coaches are able to throw consistent throwdowns, but even at international level, players occasionally have control issues, testifying to the importance of using proper technique.
Safety Issues
Like any high-speed cricket ball, there are dangers involved. Mistimed deliveries can result in beamers (full tosses above waist height) or bouncers (short balls above shoulder height), both of which can be dangerous if unanticipated.
Nevertheless, properly used, wangers are still safe training tools, and tens of thousands of cricketers at all levels successfully use them every year.
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Who is team India throwdown specialist?
Raghu Raghavendra is India’s throwdown specialist, he joined BCCI in 2008 and since the year 2011 he is holding the position till date. He started as a cricketer but a hand-injury cut short his bowling career following which he also coached the Karnataka Ranji team and then he joined BCCI.
