Sports Science, DRS and Cricket - Opinion
Over the years the world of sports is in a constant state of flux, and the introduction of technology has added a new dimension to it. Professional sports have long used video replays and other high-tech aids to help the match officials make the right calls
and further improve the game.
Cricket is one such sport, which has been employing technology for decades. As the competitiveness has improved, so is the use of technology, but the current stalemate on the use of Decision Review System (DRS) has exposed the fault lines in the game. DRS
is one technology that has the potential to revolutionise the game.
The astonishing technological advancements in various fields have enhanced the competence of human ability. Among other fields, the technology has transformed sports. A new discipline of ‘Sports Science’ was created just to understand the dynamics of the
use of technology in sports.
Today national cricket teams around the world are increasingly relying on technology and research analysis for improved performances at the international level, and even the use of Biomechanics, which employs the laws of mechanics and physics, is now widely
in application in the sports academies and universities around the world.
DRS was first introduced in cricket during a Test match between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in 2009. It is used by a match official to review a controversial judgment and assists the on-field umpires to make accurate decisions. The technology has three components
which include;
Hawk Eye: It is a virtual eye that uses a ball-tracking technology.
Snickometer: Graphically analyses the sound and video.
HotSpot: Is an infra-red imaging system.
The combination of three makes one of the most state-of-the-art technologies currently in use in Sports today. Gridiron (NFL) and Basketball, for a long time has been using the video replay review systems to check the referees’ call or verify the fouls with
the players. The line-calling system in Football and Tennis was widely welcomed by the sports' aficionados. Even in Cricket, the use of the third umpire is two decades old and the addition had greatly advanced the game.
Some people criticise that the use of such technology can slow down the pace of the game, but a majority believes that making it necessary further helps in making the correct decisions. . Unfortunately, in the case of DRS, the one-sided resistance to the
technology by Board of Control for Cricket in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 (BCCI) has caused widespread resentment among the cricket fans and experts.
The Indian Board, which holds much sway in cricket politics due to its financial clout, believes that the technology is not sufficient and has termed it as ‘not good enough’. The role of the International Cricket Council (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) has been widely criticised
as it failed to put its foot firmly down on the issue. The recent ICC Board meeting held in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Malaysia-c2949 saw the cricket’s governing body going back on its word after making the use of the system mandatory.
Given the rising opposition to the Indian stance, it seems as the mandatory use of DRS is just a matter of time. In order to capture markets to survive, cricket must be made compatible with the changes in culture, since technology is changing the way our
culture works, its trickledown effect on a cricket field is inevitable, therefore, while keeping its spirit intact, the game should be modified in accordance with the introduction of technology - and the sooner it happens, the better!
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