Technology in Cricket (Part-3)

Technology in Cricket

 (Part-3)

Prof.Shrinivas Patil

9. Ball Spin RPM/ Rev Counter

                This technology is used to show the rotation speed of the ball. It is used when spinners are bowling, to show viewers the idea how much each ball is spinning. The technology is also able to show the RPM or revolution per minute through a counter, demonstrating how fast the ball is spinning after release.

10. Speed Gun

                The Speed Gun is used to measure the speed of the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. The technology allows calculating the speed of bowler's delivery. Implemented first in 1999, the speed gun gets mounted on a pole and positioned next to the sight screen. The device relays a beam from the radar head to detect movement across the entire length of the pitch. This technology actually tells us who is the fastest bowler and what was the highest speed the player achieved while setting up the record.

11. Bowling Machine

            A Bowling Machine enables a batsman to practice and to expertise specific skills through repetition of the ball being bowled at a certain length, line and speed. It can also be used when there is no one available to bowl, or no one of the desired style or standard. There are various types of bowling machines, which are quite different in the ways they achieve the required delivery, though most allow the use of remote control, so that a coach can be closer to a batsman when the stroke is played.

              The main mechanism of the machine consists of two heavy wheels, each driven by its own electric motor. These are mounted in a frame such that the wheels are in the same plane. A ball joint allows the machine a wide range of movement. The whole assembly is mounted on a sturdy tripod or other frame so that the plane of the wheels is roughly at the height that a typical bowler would release the ball. A chute delivers the ball between the wheels, protecting the coach's hands.

12. LED Bails

         Using LED technology, the Bail glows once the ball struck the wicket/bail or the wicketkeeper whips off the bails. Developed by Bronte EcKermann, an Australian mechanical industrial designer, and created by South Australian manufacturer Zing International, the LED Bails are an expensive solution to notice falling of the bails. The bails pack a microprocessor and sensor in each bail along with a low voltage battery to determine if the wicket is broken in one thousand fraction of a second.

13. Drop-in pitch

          Indian cricket team just won a thriller test match against Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2018-2019 played at Adelaide Oval. The game was closely contested with only 31 runs deciding the fate of the match. The drop-in pitch is a pitch created away from the ground or venue hosting the match, which is then 'dropped' into the site before the game. The first time a drop-in pitch was used in the history of cricket was at the WACA stadium in Perth.