Aussie innovation the Swinga Technique ball was designed to behave exactly like a new Cricket ball so is a MUST HAVE training aid for any cricketer or coach’s bag. Swinga balls can be used by any cricketer with any level of ability from professionals to juniors and we believe their top quality design and varied applications will revolutionise the way batters train going forward. This blog explores how the Swinga ball was developed and what problem it has solved in the cricket market in helping batsman and bowlers to add more realism to their training.
The Swinga training ball is available in four colours and has a unique design consisting of a half dimpled, half smooth surface that allows for consistent and realistic swing. The product was developed in Perth by Aaron Lilly who has been a cricket coach for over a decade. He found a there was gap in the market that needed to be filled...
NEW BALL: In order for top order batsmen to face and practice against the new swinging ball they require either coaches or bowlers to use a brand-new Kookaburra or Dukes every practice which is both unrealistic and heavy on the pocket thus, leading to the development of the Swinga Ball. The genius development of this ball allows for batsmen/wicketkeepers to face a ball that mimics the natural swing you would face at the top of the order meaning batsmen and wicketkeepers can learn to watch the ball more closely and practice against a moving ball time and time again without needing to use hundreds of brand-new cricket balls.
"It’s like genuinely facing a brand-new Kookaburra, just wobbles around" - Joe Burns, Australian Test Cricketer
VERSATILITY: The Swinga offers great flexibility at training and can be used in numerous ways. The Swinga ball can be bowled/thrown by hand, used in a side arm or in a bowling machine. This offers great versatility whether it be coaches producing swing from a side arm or batsmen facing realistic swing via a bowling machine.
“From a coaches point of view the Swinga is so much fun. If you are throwing with the wanger or on the bowling machine and the ball isn’t doing anything then we are not testing our players enough" - Justin Langer (Australian Cricketer and Coach)
Aside form the numerous uses the ball also offers versatility in different conditions. The Swinga ball will continue to swing even in wet conditions unlike a regular cricket ball that will stop swinging once wet. The similar weight to a cricket ball also allows for the ball to be used by spinners as a regular ball.
VARTIATION: Top order batsman need to face a large volume of deliveries at training and more often than not will be batting against used and older balls offering little to no variation. This often is counterproductive allowing batsmen to face little to no variation in their training like they would in game conditions on a green wicket. The minimal lateral movement faced can lead to batsmen to playing expansive drives and shots ultimately creating a false sense of security. The Swinga provides variation at a training session making batsmen focus more closely on the ball as well as playing against the moving ball like they would on a green seamer wicket.
“Facing a couple of outies and then a big in ducker as a batter you are being challenged every ball. When you bring in a ball like the Swinga you are having to switch on ... it is moving both ways and it’s really making you think as a batter.” - Nicole Bolton, Australian Womens Cricketer
Aside from the natural swing provided by the ball, as the ball gets older and is frequently used the ball as been known to reverse giving batsmen that extra variation they may face while out in the middle.
The Swinga Technical Ball is now in stock at Lightning Sports available as a single ball or 6 ball box (red, white, pink or yellow) plus check out our Instagram for lots of top training drills and footage of the ball in action.