The 16th century is the origin of Gentleman’s cricket. In these five centuries, cricket has advanced and been introduced at different levels.
The game has witnessed many innovative developments, from the first international match between Canada in 1844 at St George’s Cricket Club, New York, to the most recent T10 Cricket Leagues. Many of these innovations have enhanced the experience of both the spectators and the lives of the players.
Analytics are an integral part of modern sports and can be used to analyze failures and identify areas for improvement.
The technological advancements have been integrated in all sports, and they had a significant impact on cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), for bringing modern technology to cricket, deserves credit. These technologies increase the fan interest and attract more people to the game.
A variety of sports technologies can help athletes improve their performance. It allows them to focus on the areas where they are lacking in skill.
The technology also allows leaders and skippers to devise new tactics. The umpires can make more informed decisions thanks to technology.
This list includes technological innovations that have either been recently developed or made over the years to revolutionize the game of Cricket.
The Bowling Machine:
The Bowling Machine, also known as Bola Machine, is a machine that reproduces the spin and swing from bowlers.
It was created by Michael Stuart in 1985 as part of a virtual reality program to improve cricket match training. To demonstrate its principles, Michael Stuart showed the machine at a University conference.
Two spinning wheels are combined with a barrel that uses rifling theory to add spin and swing to the ball.
This machine can create the leg break and off-break deliveries. It can also reduce swing and reverse swing by copying fastbowers such as Wasim, Glenn McGrath and Shane Bond.
This machine is specially designed to cover all aspects of bowling, such as how the ball is released and its orientation.
Technologists are working to make this machine more visual so that batsmen can see a projected bowler in front of it. This technology is a major breakthrough in cricket training.
Speed Gun:
According to official Guinness world records, the “fastest electronically measured speed for any ball bowled from any male bowler was 161.3 km/h (100.23mph) by Shoaib Akhtar, a well-known and terrifying Pakistani pacer (Broadly known under the Rawalpindi Express), against England on 22 February 2003 in an International Cup match at Newlands Cape Town, South Africa.” The grand and chivalric record was actually measured with a Small Doppler Radar Unit which can detect speed of moving objects (e The moving ball.
This technological breakthrough is unquestionably a crucial segment of cricket to improve the speed of bowling.
HawkEye Ball Tracking System:
Hawkeye was created in 2001 to explain the trajectory of the ball once it had been delivered from the bowlers’ hands.
This technology is used by broadcasters the most to give viewers and commentators a different perspective on the Leg Before Wicket (LBW).
This technology makes use of a number of cameras that are placed on the ground or under stadium roofs. It creates a three-dimensional representation to show the ball’s trajectory, which is used in the judging of LBW appeals. It is also used in the Umpire Decision Review System.
Snickometer – Ultra Edge:
The Snickometer, also known as “Snicko”, in cricket dialect, was invented by Allan Plaskett in order to assist umpires in detecting edge and preceding behind wickets.
Snicko causes a disturbance to the graph when the ball’s surface touches the bat or other parts of the batsman.
Snickometer uses microphones placed near the stumps to determine the impact’s surface and detect the sound of the hit. The third umpire can make a final decision based on the frequency shape.
HotSpot – Edge Detector:
HotSpot implementation is another recent innovation in cricket technology assets. It was implemented after the Snickometer was not considered accurate enough.
The HotSpot uses an infrared detection system that detects the heat signature of the ball’s impact to help in judging the smallest edges and bat-pad LBW shouts. It works by placing a camera at both ends of the ground.
The HotSpot provides information based upon the heat friction created by a collision. It is expensive and delicate equipment, so it is not widely used in Cricket.
Stump Mic & Photo:
The Stump Mic & Camera allow viewers to get a closer view of the batsman’s views on the pitch. Through a small mirror on the stump side, the camera is vertically aligned within the hollow stump middle. The mic is attached to the stump as well and can be used to receive sound waves. It also assists the umpire in making decisions when the batsman takes the ball.
Digital Scoring on CricHeroes:
Technology has reached leaps and bounds and with CricHeroes, you can easily score your local matches just like International matches. You can easily generate scorecards, organize tournaments and also find yourself on different leaderboards.
Decision Review System:
The Decision Review System, or DRS, is the modern method of correcting or reviewing an on-field umpire’s call.
The DRS considers the Snickometer Hotspot and Hawkeye, while determining whether or not the decision is correct.
Ball Spin RPM
The Ball Spin RPM (Revolutions per Minute) counter was recently introduced by Sky Sports for the 2013 Ashes series.
It measures the ball’s spin rate after it has been released. Once the ball has been removed from the pitch, it can measure the ingredients for sidespin and top or backspin. As the Pacers’ speed gun, the RPM counter is an essential addition to the cricket tech.
LED Stumps & Bails:
The latest technology in cricket is the LED Zing Bails and Stumps. They are slightly heavier than traditional wooden stumps.
The first time LED stumps were used was during the 2013 Australian Big Bash League. They were also used in the 2014 and 2016 ICC World T20 Cups, as well as the 2015 ICC World Cup. Bronte Eckermann was the inventor of LED stumps.
Although expensive, LED bails can be used by umpires to help them make precise decisions when it comes time to run-out decisions.
When it is struck with impact, the bail glows. It is equipped with a sensor, microprocessor and a low voltage battery.
Spidercam:
Spidercam is another amazing and my favorite improvement in cricket match coverage. It provides a unique angle view to the viewers.
Spidercam allows the cameras to move vertically or horizontally across a specified area. The Cricket ground.
The ground is controlled by four motorized winches, one at each corner. Each winch can be controlled by a Kevlar cable that is connected to a gyro stabilized camera carrier.
Software controls this system, allowing the camera to reach every corner of ground according to its 3-dimensional coverage area.
Sportswear & Equipment:
The last few years have seen improvements in the technology of cricketing gear and sportswear. These changes include the design of the helmet, the materials used, the size and weight for bats, the thickness and weight pads, gloves, and a slight change in the ball, hats, and so on.
Fabrics are now used to keep cool, dry, warm and cool. This helps to increase performance, speed recovery, and is even better for sports clothing.
Sportswear is light and allows for freedom of movement.
Chips are also installed in bats and balls to measure angle, bat speed, swing and seam. This is used for analysis purposes.
These chips are placed in the bat’s handles to measure the movement of the bat as it hits the ball. These chips are designed to give you complete versatility and easy playability.
Conclusion about the rise in technology in Cricket:
We have covered various technological advances in cricket, including theHawkeye and Hot spot bowling machines, speedometers, stump mic & cameras, ultra edge and sportswear technology.
These technological advances have not only helped make the right decisions, but also have nourished the game greatly and made it smarter.
These innovations have been extremely effective and are a delight for viewers.
