Quick answer: pick a cricket bowling machine by who's batting and which balls you'll use. Young kids and backyard fun suit a light-ball machine at 40–70 kph (from about $139). Keen juniors and teens who want solo net sessions suit a 90–100 kph machine with an auto feeder, swing and spin (about $350–$700). Club and senior players who want hard-ball practice need a hard-ball-capable machine like the Paceman 176XL or 525 Express.
1. Who will be batting?
| Player | What to look for | Good fit at SJ Sports |
|---|---|---|
| First-time batters and young kids | Low speed, soft or ultra-light balls, simple to use | Paceman Pitch Attack Blastr (up to 40 kph) |
| Juniors about 8+ building skills | Light balls, variety (straight, spin, curve), catching and fielding drills too | Pitch It Up, Pitch Attack ATK70 |
| Keen juniors and teens | 90–100 kph, auto feeder, swing and spin, line and length adjustment | Pitch Attack ATK90, Paceman 176XR, 176xt, 195 Shift |
| Club and senior players | Hard-ball capable, sturdy chassis, higher speeds | Paceman 176XL, 525 Express (hard ball); 245 Edge (home or club) |
2. Light balls or hard balls?
This is the biggest decision, because many machines only take light balls.
- Light balls (such as Paceman Original, LTD, Junior and Ultra) are safer for backyards, kinder to bats, windows and fences, and great for timing and footwork. Most home machines use them.
- Hard balls (such as Paceman Regulation Hard and KPH+) feel like a real cricket ball and suit club-level practice. They need a hard-ball-capable machine, a proper net and protective gear.
Always check which balls a machine takes before you buy. For example, the Paceman 176xt uses Paceman Original, Junior and LTD light balls only, while the 176XL also takes hard balls at up to 60 kph.
3. Will they practise on their own?
An auto feeder lets a player bat solo, without someone feeding balls in.
- 6-ball feeders (Pitch Attack ATK70 and ATK90, Paceman 176XR) are fine for short sets.
- 12-ball feeders (Paceman 176xt, 176XL, 195 Shift, 245 Edge, 525 Express) mean longer uninterrupted sessions.
- Pitch It Up holds more balls as you add extra ball tracks; each track adds four balls.
4. Speed and variation
- Speed: 40–70 kph is plenty for young kids. 90–100 kph challenges good juniors and most adults with light balls. Only the 525 Express goes up to 150 kph (Paceman Original balls).
- Swing and spin: the Pitch Attack ATK90 adds spin and swing, and the Paceman 176xt, 176XL, 195 Shift, 245 Edge and 525 Express all offer inswing, outswing, off spin and leg spin.
- Line and length: look for full and short pitch adjustment. The 176XL and 245 Edge have a swing arm for line and length, and the 195 Shift adds EZ line adjustment with 360° rotation.
5. Power: backyard, park or nets?
- Mains power is included with most Paceman machines.
- 12V battery: the Paceman 176 range, 195 Shift and 245 Edge can run from a 12V battery. The Paceman 12V battery and charger lets you take them to the park or nets.
- Pitch It Up runs on its AC adaptor, 4 D-size batteries, or a rechargeable power bank with the Powerbank Adaptor Kit.
6. Space and safety
A bowling machine works best with a net behind the batter and, for the person feeding balls, a bowling screen in front of the machine.
- Nets: V Pro Max Batting Training Net, V Pro Training Net, Pitch Concepts SP6 (6m x 3m x 2.5m)
- Protection: Home Ground Bowling Screen (2.1m x 2.1m)
- Surface: a Paceman 3m batting mat or 6m pitch gives true bounce on hard surfaces like driveways (not for grass).
Young children should always use a machine with an adult present, and hard-ball practice needs a helmet and full protective gear.
Bowling machines at SJ Sports compared
| Machine | Price | Top speed | Feeder | Balls | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paceman Pitch Attack Blastr | $139 | 40 kph | Automatic | Light and Ultra Light (9 included) | First-time and young batters |
| Pitch It Up | $279 | Not stated | Ball tracks (expandable) | Pitch It Up balls | Juniors 8+, batting and catching |
| Paceman Pitch Attack ATK70 | $279 | 70 kph (fixed) | 6 balls | Light balls | Backyard fun |
| Paceman 176XR | $349 | 100 kph | 6 balls | Paceman balls (see listing) | Best-value variable speed |
| Paceman Pitch Attack ATK90 | $385 | 90 kph (fixed) | 6 balls | Light balls only | Spin and swing at home |
| Paceman 176xt | $449 | 100 kph | 12 balls | Original, Junior, LTD | Keen juniors and teens |
| Paceman 176XL | $665 | 100 kph light / 60 kph hard | 12 balls | All Paceman balls | Entry-level hard-ball practice |
| Paceman 195 Shift | $689 | 100 kph | 12 balls | All Paceman balls | Most line and angle control |
| Paceman 245 Edge | $1,169 | 100 kph (light) | 12 balls | All Paceman balls | Home or club use |
| Paceman 525 Express | $2,499 | 150 kph (Original) / about 130 kph (hard) | 12 balls | All Paceman balls | Serious club and senior players |
Prices and stock change, so check each product page for current availability. Machine balls are sold separately unless stated: see Paceman Original Light balls, LTD Performance balls, Regulation Hard balls and Pitch It Up balls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bowling machine for a child?
For young or first-time batters, a slow light-ball machine like the Paceman Pitch Attack Blastr (up to 40 kph). For juniors around 8 and up, Pitch It Up is popular because it also trains catching and fielding.
Can I use real cricket balls in a bowling machine?
Only in a hard-ball-capable machine. Many home machines, such as the Paceman 176xt and Pitch Attack range, take light balls only. In our range, the Paceman 176XL (up to 60 kph) and 525 Express (about 130 kph) are rated for hard balls. Ask us before using hard balls in any other model.
Do I need a net?
Yes, a net behind the batter saves chasing balls and protects windows and fences. A bowling screen protects whoever is feeding the machine.
Can a bowling machine run without mains power?
Yes. Paceman 176 models, the 195 Shift and 245 Edge run on a 12V battery, and Pitch It Up runs on D batteries or a power bank.
How fast should a bowling machine be?
Most juniors train well at 40–90 kph with light balls. A top speed of 100 kph covers most home and junior club use. Very high speeds (130–150 kph) are for experienced senior players.
See them in person
Want to see a machine in action or ask which suits your cricketer? Visit SJ Sports, 60 Deshon Street, Woolloongabba (Brisbane) or call 0423 240 478. Browse our full cricket training aids range.
