Bangladesh national cricket team on Monday introduced a spin-bowling machine in their skill camp ahead of the forthcoming New Zealand series.

The bowling machine can deliver multiple variations, which will benefit the cricketers, said the cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees.

The addition of a spin bowling machine fulfills a long-standing requirement, which is a common training equipment in countries like England, Australia, and New Zealand.

‘With this, you can practice off-spin, leg-spin, and straight deliveries. If you think about off-spin for a right-handed bowler, then for a left-handed bowler it would be a chinaman. If you think about leg-spin, then for a left-handed bowler it would be off-spin,’ Nafess told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

‘The machine is capable of delivering three types of spin – off-spin, leg-spin and arm balls,’ he added.

Nafees said that the machine, which is called Merlyn by Bola, offers both manual and automated operation.

‘The length and pace of deliveries can be adjusted, and it can be operated both manually and automatically. In automatic mode, it can deliver 25 to 30 balls in a sequence,’ he added.

According to officials, the modern spin bowling machine was purchased at a cost of around Tk 16 lakh.

Meanwhile, Nafees expressed full confidence in the team’s preparation prior to the New Zealand white-ball series, starting on April 17 with the three-match ODI series followed by T20Is.

‘Alhamdulillah, so far, since we’ve had quite a long period, the volume and itinerary of practice have been very rich. Initially, our sessions were focused only on fitness and fielding, but now skill work, fitness, and fielding are all being covered,’ said Nafees.

‘Normally, we don’t get much time before a series, but this time we have had that opportunity, and the coaching staff are utilising it very well,’ he added.

Nafees also added that the newly appointed spin-bowling coach, Mohammad Rafique, would work with multiple squads and is expected to mentor both emerging and senior cricketers.

The white-ball series will mark the beginning of a busy international schedule for Bangladesh, who last played an ODI series against Pakistan in March.

The New Zealand cricket team is set to arrive on April 13.

After the ODIs, the Tigers will take on the Kiwis in three-match T20Is, followed by a two-Test series against Pakistan next month.