Updated June 2026 — verified against live inventory at TopCricketStore, Edison NJ.
There are two ways to practice batting. The old way: find a teammate willing to bowl 50 throw-downs, accept that half of them will be short or wide, and hope they do not throw their shoulder out by over 30. The new way: get a machine or thrower that delivers the same ball, at the same speed, on the same spot — for as long as you want to bat. No complaining. No dead arm. Just reps.
At TopCricketStore, we stock two automatic bowling machines and four hand-held ball throwers — everything from a $27 back-garden sidearm to a $1,800 fully automatic arm-simulated bowling machine. This guide covers every option, what it costs, what it does, and which one is right for your game.
Quick Guide: Which Bowling Machine or Thrower Should You Buy?
| Your Situation | Budget | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard practice, junior cricketer (U16) | $27 | Leverage SpeedArm 13" |
| Serious club nets, want pace and accuracy | $45-$50 | Sidearm Elite or Roboarm 20" |
| Coaching multiple players, need consistency | $1,350 | Leverage iWinner with Auto Feeder |
| Academy or club — want realistic bowling action simulation | $1,800 | Freebowler FS2 Pro |
Part 1: Automatic Bowling Machines
These are the serious tools. A bowling machine does not get tired, does not lose accuracy in the 40th over, and does not complain about bowling to the same batter for an hour. If you run a club, academy, or just take your batting seriously enough to invest four figures in practice, this is what you are looking at.
1. Freebowler FS2 Pro Portable Automatic Cricket Bowling Machine — $1,799.99
The Freebowler FS2 Pro is the most advanced bowling machine we stock — and one of the most innovative on the market. Unlike traditional wheel-based machines that fire the ball from between two spinning discs, the FS2 Pro uses an arm-simulated throwing mechanism. This means the ball trajectory, release point, and variations on and off the pitch actually mimic a real bowler rather than producing the slightly unnatural "machine gun" delivery that wheel-based systems are known for.
Key Features:
- Arm-simulated throwing action — the only portable machine that replicates a bowler's release
- Fully automatic — load balls, set the controls, and bat solo
- Natural variations on and off the pitch — swing, seam, and bounce variation built into the delivery mechanism
- Portable design — moves between nets, home, and away sessions
- Suitable for homes, clubs, academies, and professional setups
Best for: Academies and serious clubs that want the most realistic bowling simulation possible without a £20,000+ fixed installation. Also excellent for any batter who finds wheel-based machines produce an unnatural ball flight that does not prepare them for match conditions.
Price: $1,799.99. 2 units in stock. Local pickup only at our Edison, NJ store (37 Meridian Rd) — contact us for shipping options.
2. Leverage iWinner Cricket Bowling Machine (With Auto Feeder) — $1,349.99
The Leverage iWinner is a sensor-driven wheel machine that comes as a complete package — machine plus auto ball feeder in one box. Unlike the FS2 Pro which simulates an arm action, the iWinner uses the proven wheel-based delivery system with digital controls for speed and line. The included auto feeder is the key advantage: load a bucket of balls, set your parameters, and the machine feeds itself while you bat. No stopping to reload.
Key Features:
- Sensor-driven wheels with advanced digital operation
- Auto ball feeder included — continuous delivery without a partner reloading
- Repeatable line and length — set it and the machine delivers the same ball every time
- Complete package — everything you need for solo batting practice comes in the box
- Timed release precision — consistent spacing between deliveries
Best for: Batters who want maximum volume of practice — the auto feeder means you can bat for an hour without interruption. Ideal for technical work where you need the same delivery repeated 50 times to groove a specific shot. Also excellent for coaching environments where one coach needs to observe rather than throw.
Price: $1,349.99. 3 units in stock. Local pickup only at our Edison, NJ store — contact us for shipping.
→ Shop the Leverage iWinner with Auto Feeder
FS2 Pro vs iWinner: Which Machine Is Right for You?
| Freebowler FS2 Pro | Leverage iWinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799.99 | $1,349.99 |
| Delivery Mechanism | Arm-simulated (natural action) | Wheel-based (digital control) |
| Ball Movement | Natural variations — mimics swing and seam | Repeatable — set one line/length |
| Auto Feeder | Built-in automatic system | External auto feeder included |
| Best Use Case | Match-realistic practice, natural variation | Technical groove work, high-volume reps |
| Portability | Portable | Stationary setup |
| Who It Is For | Academies, elite clubs, batters facing real pace | Clubs, coaches, batters wanting max reps |
The verdict: If you want the ball to behave like a real bowler — moving off the pitch, varying in trajectory, challenging your footwork and reading of length — get the FS2 Pro. If you want 200 identical deliveries in a row to groove your cover drive until it is automatic — get the iWinner. Both are excellent. They serve different training philosophies.
Note: Both machines are pickup-only from our Edison, NJ warehouse due to size and weight. Contact us at info@topcricketstore.com or (732) 250-3598 for shipping inquiries.
Part 2: Hand-Held Ball Throwers
Not everyone needs a $1,400 machine. For most club cricketers, a quality hand-held ball thrower — used by a coach, parent, or teammate — delivers 90% of the training value at 3% of the price. These are the throwers we stock.
3. The Sidearm Elite Throwing Aid — $49.99
The Sidearm Elite is the throwing aid used by professional coaches worldwide — and it is the one we recommend most often. The new generation model uses advanced durable materials and a refined throwing cup to deliver speeds of 60-80 MPH with genuine accuracy. It replicates swing, seam, and spin when used by a skilled thrower, and its ergonomic design means your coach can throw for a full net session without destroying their shoulder.
Best for: Club cricketers who have a regular training partner or coach. The Sidearm Elite is the professional standard for a reason — it produces the most realistic deliveries of any hand-held thrower when used correctly.
Price: $49.99. 10 units in stock.
4. Leverage Roboarm Adjustable Ball Thrower 20 inches — $49.99
The Leverage Roboarm 20" is a patented innovation that claims the title of "world's fastest ball throwing aid" — capable of generating speeds up to 160 KPH (100 MPH). The key feature is the tiltable ball cup, which maintains the thrower's natural arm path while the cup angle releases the ball at higher speeds than a bare-handed throw. It does not require prior practice to use effectively, and it is designed to be easy on the shoulder — a genuine concern for coaches who throw hundreds of deliveries a week.
Best for: Coaches and training partners who want to generate serious pace without destroying their arm. Also excellent for fielding practice — the speed range makes it usable for high catches and long throws.
Price: $49.99. 2 units in stock.
5. Leverage Roboarm Mini Adjustable Ball Thrower 17 inches — $44.99
The Roboarm Mini is the same patented Roboarm design in a more compact 17-inch frame. Same tiltable cup technology, same speed capability (up to 160 KPH), same shoulder-friendly design — just shorter and easier to pack in a kit bag. If space is tight or you are carrying gear to away matches, the Mini is the more practical choice.
Best for: Players and coaches who travel with their training gear. Same performance as the full-size Roboarm in a more portable package.
Price: $44.99. 6 units in stock.
6. Leverage SpeedArm Ball Thrower 13 inches — $27.49
The Leverage SpeedArm is our entry-level ball thrower and the best-value training tool in the entire store. At 13 inches with a goose-neck design, it generates speeds up to 110 KPH (68 MPH) — ideal for U16 players and junior cricket. The short lever gives natural trajectory with good control and accuracy. It throws slow and flighted deliveries effectively, and its small size means it works in tighter spaces where a full-size thrower would be unwieldy.
Best for: Junior cricketers (U16), backyard practice, and anyone who wants a thrower that works in a 30-foot space. At $27.49, it is the lowest-cost entry point to proper batting practice.
Price: $27.49. 6 units in stock.
Ball Thrower Comparison: Sidearm vs Roboarm vs SpeedArm
| Sidearm Elite | Roboarm 20" | Roboarm Mini 17" | SpeedArm 13" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $49.99 | $44.99 | $27.49 |
| Max Speed | 60-80 MPH | Up to 160 KPH (100 MPH) | Up to 160 KPH | Up to 110 KPH (68 MPH) |
| Length | Full size | 20 inches | 17 inches | 13 inches |
| Best For | Pro-level accuracy, club nets | Maximum pace, fielding practice | Travel-friendly power thrower | Juniors, backyard, tight spaces |
| Stock | 10 units | 2 units | 6 units | 6 units |
Training Balls to Pair With Your Thrower or Machine
A thrower is only as good as the balls you put in it. We stock several training balls specifically designed for use with bowling machines and throwers:
- Leverage SpingBall — $24.99: A synthetic training ball with special aerodynamics that swings in the air and deviates off the surface when thrown straight. The closest thing to a real cricket ball for training, without the cost or wear. 8 in stock.
- Raydn 140g Bowling Machine Balls — $11.99 each: Heavy-duty dimple-molded balls designed specifically for wheel-based bowling machines. 223 in stock.
- Full cricket ball collection — training balls, leather match balls, tennis balls, and windballs.
FAQ
Do I need a bowling machine, or is a hand thrower enough?
For 90% of club cricketers, a quality hand thrower ($27-$50) paired with a willing teammate or coach is more than enough. The thrower gives you pace and accuracy. The human element gives you variety and feedback. A $1,400+ bowling machine is only worth it if (a) you often train alone and need solo capability, (b) you run coaching sessions for multiple players, or (c) you are playing at a level where the difference between facing 75 MPH and 80 MPH in practice actually matters.
Which thrower should I get for junior cricket?
The SpeedArm 13" at $27.49 is purpose-built for U16 players. It generates speeds up to 110 KPH — appropriate for junior batting — and its short size makes it easy for parents and junior coaches to use without shoulder strain. The Roboarm Mini at $44.99 is the upgrade pick for older juniors (14-16) who are starting to face genuine pace.
Can I use a bowling machine by myself?
Yes — both the Freebowler FS2 Pro and the Leverage iWinner are designed for solo use. The FS2 Pro has a built-in automatic system. The iWinner includes an external auto feeder. Load the balls, set the controls, and bat. A hand-held thrower requires a second person to operate — there is no way around that.
How fast can these throwers actually bowl?
The speed numbers are real but depend on the thrower. The Roboarm and Rapidarm can hit 160 KPH (100 MPH) in the hands of a strong thrower. The Sidearm Elite delivers 60-80 MPH consistently. The SpeedArm tops out around 110 KPH. If you are a parent throwing to a 12-year-old, you will not be hitting 100 MPH regardless of which thrower you use — and you should not. Match the thrower to the batter's level.
Do these machines work with real cricket balls?
The Freebowler FS2 Pro and Leverage iWinner work with standard leather cricket balls. The hand throwers work with any ball that fits in the cup — leather, synthetic, tennis, windball. For wheel-based machines, we recommend the Raydn 140g dimple balls ($11.99 each) — they last longer than leather in a machine and produce consistent bounce.
Why are the bowling machines pickup-only?
The FS2 Pro and iWinner are large, heavy items. Standard courier shipping would cost hundreds of dollars and risk damage. If you need shipping, contact us directly at info@topcricketstore.com or (732) 250-3598 and we will arrange freight — but pickup at our Edison, NJ store is strongly recommended so you can see the machine in person and we can show you how to set it up.
The Bottom Line
You do not need to spend $1,800 to improve your batting. A $49 Sidearm Elite and a willing training partner will take your game further than any machine — if you use it consistently. But if you train alone, coach multiple players, or simply want the best practice setup money can buy, the Freebowler FS2 Pro and Leverage iWinner are the two best machines available in the US market — and we stock both in Edison, NJ.
Browse our full cricket training equipment collection or message us on WhatsApp — we will help you pick the right setup for your budget and your game.