Mangaluru: Karavali Cricket Academy at University College Ground, Hampankatta, now has a bowling machine for cricket players. G Shankar Family Trust chairman Dr G Shankar inaugurated the machine during a programme organised at University College on Tuesday.

Karavali Cricket Academy secretary and coach Santhosh Misquith said the bowling machine costs Rs 3 lakh and was purchased by the academy from Leverage Company. The machine is capable of bowling with a speed of 60 km/hour to 160 km/hour. The machine could be used for various types of bowling such as spin, off-spin, leg-break and so on. A full-fledged cricket match can be played by setting the bowling machine to 50 overs.

The machine will be used to train the amateur cricket players at the academy. The bowling machine at the Karavali Cricket Academy is second of its kind in the state, the first one being used by Karnataka State Cricket Association. The machine was recommended by cricketer Rahul Dravid, Misquith said.

There are plans in future to start separate training sessions in cricket for girls. The training will commence after the rainy season. Also, the academy will have a state-of-the-art cricket pitch. A headlight will also be installed on the ground.

The objective to have the bowling machine and other facilities at the academy is to produce quality cricketers, Misquith added.