Articles by Andrew Wu

Sports

What is a ‘wanger’, why is it used and is it dangerous?

Cricket authorities have confirmed that teenager Ben Austin, who was fatally struck by a cricket ball in Ferntree Gully this week, was facing balls from a wanger, a device used to throw practice deliveries at batters. What is a wanger? A wanger is the colloquial term for the sidearm ball thrower used by cricket coaches and players. At a glance, the contraption is similar to the thrower used by dog owners but cricket’s version is sturdier to accommodate a cricket ball, which is harder than a tennis ball. The wanger comes in different forms. Novice cricketers typically use the “sidearm club” while players at higher junior ages up to the top levels use the “sidearm elite”.