Imperfect Technology

Similar to all computer technology, the computer tools used in cricket are not full-proof.

· Hawk-Eye: Experts believe that the Hawk-Eye technology has changed the decision making in cricket much more than any other technology. It is being widely used in international cricket matches, including IPL, to reduce unfair decisions. But is it completely trustworthy??? Uneven bounce on pitches, wind pressure while the ball is in the air, amount of spin, etc. are some of the factors which challenge the use of Hawk-Eye technology. The decisions made on the basis of this technology are still not 100% correct.

· Snick-o-Meter: It is a tool which graphically analyses sound and shows if a sound occurs when the ball passes the bat. To simplify, if the ball touches the bat once it has been bowled, it makes a sound which can be tracked and analyzed using the Snick-o-Meter. But due to its inefficiency, the tool can't differentiate between sound of the ball touching the bat and other sounds such as the movement of the foot of the batsmen or the wicket keeper, pads rubbing against each other or bat hitting the pitch.

Recently, there have been advances in technology to emit even the smallest of errors.

· Infrared cameras have been tested in place of snick-o-meters to pick up friction readings, and are close to 100 per cent accurate.

· There are now also balls available with built-in speedometers to determine the speed of the ball at any given instant.

Although they are being tested, we personally don’t see these technologies being implemented anytime soon. Apart from the technologies used for the decision making there are also other technologies which are being talked about.

One of which is to put wireless trackers on all the players to measure and transmit live data during the game, to a central computer. Parameters tracked by this device include the running speed of a player, a bowler’s speed during the run-up, the maximum speed and average running speed, the number of times a player changes direction, distances travelled, heart rates, etc. All this data can be made available to the viewers, commentators, coach and others. But imagine how pressurized the players might get after knowing that they are under scrutiny every second.

Umpires jurisdiction and possible issues

LBW: the most important question is how accurate the Hawkeye is. Many feel that if the Hawkeye decided LBW most Test Matches would finish in less than three days, and batting averages could decrease by about 25% which could directly affect the way that the game is played and seen.

No-Ball: this seems almost a certainty to be handed over to the third umpire, it has been demonstrated that from the current angle (45 degrees and behind) that the umpire judges the front foot no-ball law, it is inevitable that the umpire will make mistakes.

Some raise the question if players should have a limited number of times to appeal. This has been successfully implemented in the world of tennis. Could cricket join the tail? Could it work in cricket? Who would decide? The batsman? Trainer? Others argue (those that oppose technology) that the amount of time implemented on checks and other issues would be wasted time in the game.

Additional aspects of technology affecting the game of cricket? Pitch, ground preparation, player equipment and spectator enjoyment are issues that are directly linked with technology.

Pitch and Ground Preparation: the modern cricket field is a marvel of engineering. In all but the rarest of occurrences, 30 minutes after the cessation of rain the players can return to the field to resume the game.

Player Equipment: the modern player is spoiled when compared to his forbearers light weight pads that offer more protection than previews equipment. The modern batting helmet is lighter and proportionates the player quicker reactions and movements within the game. Also the dynamically designed bowling boots, which are lighter and at the same time offers greater support than the “heavy military” style boots (which the player Lol Larwood used to wear).

Bats: Technlogy has affected the most on the design and performance of the bats, light weight and 'all middle'. Even the handle which was once just a turned piece of cane, is now anywhere from a two to a 12 piece cane handle with multi-rubber insertions bound with synthetic glue. Modern bats themselves are around three pounds and pick up like toothpicks. The pitch will also have a large impact on which bat the modern player will choose. For a slow wicket the bat will have a lower swell anywhere from four or five inches from the toe. For a faster wicket the swell will be about seven to eight inches from the toe.

All these improvements (as any other sport) are made to make the player perform better, in order to be able to do the ‘impossible’ which would affect on the way the sport is viewed by the audience, making it more popular and attractive. The problem then, may come when people try to make the distinction between sport as a game and sports as a ‘show’.

The Snicko

The Snicko, or Snickometer, is a tool for commentators and viewers of a broadcasted game to define whether or not the ball touched the bat on the way through to the wicketkeeper by listening to the noises (picked up from pitch and stump microphones), while replaying the event in slow motion. Other features implemented from the broadcasting channels are the showing of the Red Zone (to show where the ball pitched and which direction it was going), replays from various angles, statistical information etc.

The changed role of the Batsman

The role of the batsman has changed as the result of the implementation of new technology. In former days the umpire always made the decision in favor of the batsman if doubting. The new technology has resulted in fewer doubts, leading to fewer rulings favoring the batsman. In addition, cameras are now used to check the leg before wicket (LBW) rule leading to more dismissals of batsmen.

The Hawk-Eye

Technology is often employed in sports as a solution of the human limitations. One of such is the Hawk-Eye, which is a predictive tool, originally derived from missile-tracking technology and used also in other sports such as tennis. The Hawk-Eye is used to reproduce the image of what really happened or should have happened, using the line and length of the ball to decide for example whether or not the ball would have hit the stumps.

Full matches free of charge

One of the latest features from the IPL of 2010 is the possibility of seeing full matches being played live on YouTube free of charge.