TALGARTH Cricket Club are showing more than a passing interest in the success of the latest version of the bowling machine, Merlyn, which, if the latest England performances are anything to go by, is making a significant impact on the current Ashes series, writes MALCOLM HUGHES.

The inventor of Merlyn, Henry Pryor, who moved to near-by Llowes around 10 years ago, got involved with coaching at Talgarth Cricket Club and has also turned out for their third team in the past.

As the bowling machine was getting closer to its current proto-type status, he invited members of the cricket club along to act as guinea-pigs on the machine.

They started in Pryor's barn, but have now moved to the more luxurious surroundings of Gwernyfed Comprehen-sive School.

Club members Glyn Harrhy and Neil Morris both spoke with great enthusiasm about the capabilities of Merlyn, and the experience of pitting their skills against it, and its predecessors, over recent years.

Although they have not been directly involved in the development of the machine, the pair are proud to have played a small part in its current status, brought about by their reactions to, or sometimes failure to combat, the beast.

Harrhy appeared on regional television facing Merlyn earlier this week, and is looking forward to getting back in the nets this winter.