The Veckta came about because inventor Brian Carling wanted to help his son practice his batting. Brian had no skill with a cricket ball so tried various ways to to make a ball turn off a pitch, including using a spin mat, before hitting upon the idea for the Veckta. Perfecting the launcher and accompanying ball took about 18 months. 'I love ripping a ball passed a batters outside edge,' he says. 'I feel like I'm Shane Warne. I almost forget that I'm cheating. It's so easy with the Veckta.'

We experimented alot with the ball, using various materials and designs. In the end the best material turned out to be PU foam, the same material bowling machine balls are made from. PU foam is soft enough not to damage the bat but still feels good to hit. The balls are lighter and smaller than cricket balls but when they are hit the feeling is similar to hitting a cricket ball.

We expect to launch three new types of Veckta ball.

The Veckta Drift: This ball drifts more than the standard ball and does so without the need to angle the ridge, making it easier to use.

The Veckta Rip: This ball cuts off the pitch in a more extreme way, forcing greater demands on batters to adjust their strokeplay.

The Veckta Mystery: This ball will cut either way or go straight. It can't be picked because the bowler also has no idea which way it will go. Another good test of reaction times and technique.

The Veckta Drift in action.