ECBtv visited the England Performance Programme in Pretoria, and got the lowdown on the spinner that's taking the place by storm.

Merlin is a bowling machine that can replicate genuine spin, dip and accuracy, and is proving extremely valuable in improving the batting of players against the turning ball.

So much so, that the ECB have enabled every first-class County to have one in their own indoor school - an intiative that will prove to be a superb resource for players old and young.