Technology, Moguls, and Robotics Are Changing the Game Forever

Welcome to Twenty Two Yards, a weekly newsletter celebrating cricket's culture and characters.

In this issue:

• Cricket tech takes over

• Rise of the A.I. umpires

• Crime hits the Delhi Capitals

Estimated read ⏰: 6 mins

Technology, Moguls, and Robotics Are Changing the Game Forever

On his first trip to India in seven years, Apple CEO Tim Cook opened the company's first official retail store in the country while also taking in the DC/KKR game. You may have seen the video circulating from 2016 - it was Tim Cook's double-rainbow moment.

"You get a sign of how important cricket is," Cook said as if he stumbled upon a monolith in Kathmandu.

Mr Cook is not the first tech mogul circling cricket and won't be the last. The question needs to be asked: Will their technological background disrupt the sport we love or advance it?  

The simple things
What will come of the ASMR hammer on a stump? The craftsperson cutting willow in a Kashmir bat factory? A coach’s 'side arm' at the cricket academy?

Status Quo
Like it or not, cricket has some of the most advanced technology in all sports.

• Hawk-Eye

  Uses multiple high-speed cameras to track the trajectory, speed of the ball, length of the delivery, and position of the ball in relation to the stumps.
  

• Ultra Edge

  Uses microphones placed around the stumps to detect the sound of the ball hitting the bat.
  

• SmartBall

  Gives real-time data analysis of a bowler's delivery via a microchip implanted deep in the ball.
  

• Hotspot

  Uses infrared cameras to detect heat. It is commonly used to determine whether a batsman has hit the ball.
  

• DRS

  The Decision Review System (DRS) allows teams to challenge umpire decisions. The system uses the above mentioned technologies, ball-tracking technology, and a real-time Snickometer to determine whether the umpire's decision was correct.

The Roadmap
In a sport riddled with inaccuracies and scams, cricket's investment in tech must rid itself of controversy. On the rise is:

• I-Hawk and other wearable technology

  To help fine-tune their strategies, players wear sensors that track their movements, including the speed of their deliveries, the force of their shots, and their heart rate.
  

• Virtual Reality

  VR is already being used in training, but it has the potential to change the way cricket is played and watched.
  

• Robotics

  Robotic arms could be used to simulate deliveries, allowing players to practice against different types of bowling without the need for a human bowler.
  

• Artificial Intelligence

  From player analysis to umpiring, AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and provide insights that would be impossible for humans to identify, including tactics, roster selection and assisting umpires.

Issues with tech
Hawk-eye has a reported 3.6 mm margin of error and has had its share of controversy. Even if it is accurate, you still have humans operating and setting up the tech, which can lead to accusations of cheating. Finally, the equipment can be costly and often slows the game down.

The Stakes
Some purists may argue that technology detracts from traditions; this is the path of the Luddites. Their romantic view of cricket does hold some value, though. These advancements only work if the technology is equally available to the rising teams. Will Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Nepal have the same access? As with most things in cricket these days, it keeps coming back to money.

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The Rise of A.I. Umpires in Cricket

Cricket legend Dickie Bird recently celebrated his 90th birthday and reflected on modern-day umpires - admitting that he would have fancied using the assistance given by technology:

"You've nothing to do. They [umpires] don't look for no balls or running on the wicket… yeah, I'd love it."

Bird comes from an era when the umpire had the only eyeballs and all the authority. As Bird opined in a 2014 interview with The Cricket Monthly's Jack Wilson,

Accuracy over personality
As with other pro sports, fans don't want an umpire taking centre stage with bogus calls:

Historic blown calls in cricket

• 2008 Sydney Test: Australia vs India, several errors were made by Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson, leading the Indian side and fans to unload. Bucknor later admitted that he made two mistakes that may have "cost" India the game. Oops.

• 2011 World Cup Final: In the final match of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between India and Sri Lanka, Simon Taufel called Sachin Tendulkar not out on two occasions when he was actually out.

• 2019 World Cup Final: In the final match of England vs New Zealand, Kumar Dharmasena made a mistake by awarding England six runs instead of five when the ball deflected off Ben Stokes' bat and went to the boundary. England eventually won the game by the narrowest of margins.

• 2010 Adelaide Test: Australia vs England, Aleem Dar made an error when Mike Hussey was called not out despite him clearly edging the ball. A crucial decision, as Hussey scored a century, Australia won the match.

…and not just cricket

• Premier League: Arsenal are in a battle for the top of the table this season, and Lee Mason's VAR blunder could torpedo their chances.

• NBA: When your match-fixing referee gets a Netflix documentary, that'll leave a mark. Enter Tim Donaghy.

• MLB: Nobody's perfect, but Armando Galarraga nearly was… until Jim Joyce's infamous call on what should have been the final out of a perfect game for the former Detroit Tigers pitcher.

• NFL: Replacement refs had a brief stint/fiasco - the Green Bay Packers remember the 'Fail Mary.'

Not infallible
The algos have the power now but much less personality (and dance moves). The umpires, well, for now, they have the best seat in the stadium.

The Slip Corden

• Delhi crime hits Delhi Capitals

  Delhi Capitals skipper David Warner posted a thank-you message following the recovery of stolen DC kits. The Indian Express reports that 12 bats, 18 balls, four pairs of gloves, three pairs of pads, two thigh guards, two helmets and a backpack were recovered from two men who stole the gear. The duo intended to sell their loot but have been arrested. Smelly, used thigh guards, anyone?
  

• Rahane trusts the process… and Dhoni

  Taking a page out of MS Dhoni’s book, the resurgent Ajinkya Rahane fired back at his critics after returning to the Indian squad for the WTC final against Australia in June. The 34-year-old CSK batter said: “Sticking to the process is not only essential in cricket but in any field that demands excellence.” Times of India reports that the BCCI consulted Dhoni, who captains CSK, before picking Rahane in the squad.

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