Drone and Bat Sensor set to revolutionise cricket at Champions Trophy

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Champions Trophy 2017
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For a game as steeped in tradition as cricket is, the authorities have to constantly confront with the perennial question of how much of technology should be used.

The International Cricket Council’s Cricket Committee treads cautiously on such matters as they have to take into consideration all the stakeholders of the game, including spectators and the players.

Over the years, cricket has incorporated into the game a few of the latest technological advances available. At the same time, there have been a few rejections of technology. In 1992, when India took on South Africa in a Test match in Durban, the concept of third umpire came into existence, who in turn could be consulted for the decisions: run-outs, stumpings and boundaries.

16 years later, the Decision Review System was trialled during the Test series between India and Sri Lanka. The DRS system provides the chance for the players to challenge decisions made by the on-field umpires, and have them referred to the third umpire. It led to new technologies like Hawk-Eye, UltraEdge, Snickometer, Hot Spot being used. SpiderCam, Stump Camera, Ball Spin RPM/ Rev Counter, PitchVision, LED Bails have also enhanced the game of cricket.

For the upcoming Champions Trophy 2017 to be held in England, Intel, the reputed chip-maker, has created a string of amazing innovations that will be showcased at the eight-team tournament. Pitch Analysis Drones and Bat Sensor are two of the devices set to be showcased.

The Intel Falcon 8 Drone, supplied with HD and infrared cameras, will be taken into consideration for advanced pitch analysis before every game. Images captured by the drone will provide “rich visual data on pitch conditions such as [the amount of] grass cover, grass health and topology, which will be used to generate daily pitch reports leveraged by commentators during broadcasts”.

Bat Sensors are related to batsmen, who can analyse their game, and improve on it to get better results. It would also lead to new insights on stroke play and rich story-telling experience with regard to broadcasting. Intel has powered the sensor with its Curie technology that is attached to the bat handle to produce information for every shot the batsman plays.

With the help of this technology, different variables like Bat Speed at Impact, maximum bat speed, back-lift, (assessing the angle of the bat within the back-lift as the ball meets the willow) bat speed, Time to Impact (gauging the time between the back-lift of the bat through to the resultant impact of the ball) and follow-through angle can be traced for every cricket sho.

Intel is also expected to exhibit VR experience zones at The Oval and Edgbaston to help fans experience facing a virtual bowler in an ‘immersive cricketing environment’.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Intel as our ‘Official Innovation Partner’ of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017,” said David Richardson, ICC’s chief executive.

“The innovations Intel is bringing to the game promise to transform how cricket is experienced and enjoyed around the world, and we look forward to partnering with Intel in this effort,” Richardson added in a statement.

“Our goal is to lead the way forward into the digitisation and personalisation of sports, transforming the way fans and athletes experience sports,” said Sandra Lopez, Vice President, Intel Sports Group.