Owing to the growing difficulty and prominence of the game, cricket equipment has undoubtedly undergone a major transformation in the past few decades. From heavy traditional gear made up of wood, leather and basic protective gear to high-precision and performance-driven equipment, the game of cricket has undoubtedly undergone a significant transformation when it comes to equipment over the past few decades.
With power-driven bats, high-tech balls, and shock-absorbing protective gear, modern-day cricket equipment seamlessly integrates technology at every possible level in order to elevate the performance of cricketers on the field and enables them to unleash their finest potential in the most crucial matches, even under excruciating conditions. Have you ever wondered about how technology has reigned supreme in the world of professional cricket and has completely transformed the equipment in the last few decades? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four most path-breaking technological advancements that have improved the cricket equipment of the modern era.
Top 4 Technological Breakthroughs in Cricket Equipment
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Advanced Bat Engineering
Well, cricket bats in modern days are much more than just equipment to hit a ball. During the initial days, the cricket bats were made from English Willow and had thin blades and long handles. As the game went ahead, numerous manufacturing changes were made in order to make the cricket bats more performance-driven for the cricketers. After decades of research, implementation and integration of smart technology, the professional cricket bats of the modern era actively use computer-aided design (CAD) for perfect weight distribution.
Additionally, the anti-vibration technology used to manufacture the handles of the bat has significantly reduced the chances of cricketers getting injured after playing hard shots. Moreover, the cricket bats of the modern era are designed differently for different formats of international cricket — lower sweet spot for test cricket, high sweet spot for T20 internationals and balanced power for ODI matches.
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Technologically-Tailored Balls
With the inception of the game in the 1960s, cricket balls were entirely handmade using hand-stitched leather. According to reports, the core of the ball was made up of tightly wound yarn and had no standard weight. Owing to the hand-stitched nature of the balls, they offered unpredictable swing and bounce on the field. Contrary to the traditional balls, the modern era balls are manufactured and tailored with precession and integrated with top-notch and unmatched technology.
The cricket balls of the modern era are manufactured with well-engineered composite cores, alum-tanned cowhide. Moreover, the aerodynamic design of the modern era cricket balls provide seam height for airflow disruption. While the traditional balls have no standard size or weight, the modern day cricket balls are fully regulated by ICC laws and just have the stated circumference, weight range and seam dimensions.
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Modern Era Wickets
The traditional stumps and bails were made up of solid wood and were hand-cut with no uniform thickness. Additionally, the traditional stumps also lacked the uniformity of height or width. On the other hand, modern era wickets have undergone a significant transformation and play a crucial role in decision-making, broadcasting and enhancing viewers’ experience. The modern day wickets have LED stumps and bails that can light up when the ball hits the bails. This technological integration has played a crucial role in assisting the umpires to rightly judge even the most tight run-outs and stumpings.
Additionally, the modern day bails are also manufactured with microphones and sensors that play a crucial role in differentiating between stumping and mere wobbling. Also, the microphone and sensors provide concrete frame-accurate evidence for third umpires to take the game-changing decisions. Interestingly, technological advancements have also made it possible for the manufacturers to place tiny cameras inside the stumps that provide clear visuals of the pitch from all the possible angles.
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Modern Era Helmets
Well, helmets have been a crucial piece in the game of cricket since its early inception. However, the modern day helmets have undoubtedly undergone a significant transformation and have evolved from being simple plastic headgear to titanium-reinforced shells with unmatched safety features and path-breaking technology. While the traditional cricket helmets were made up of simple fibreglass or plastic with minimal internal padding, the modern day helmets use advanced materials like carbon fibre, Kevlar and titanium and provide a multi-layer construction that entirely absorbs the impact and evenly distributes force across the shell.
The modern day helmets used by professional cricketers in the game of cricket, which is religiously followed by millions of cricket aficionados from every nook and corner of the world, must pass numerous international impact tests including BS7928:2013 (UK standard). Under the test, cricket helmets are tested against high-speed ball impacts, grille deformation and ball penetration. Moreover, the modern era helmets also offer an additional layer of protection with numerous add-ons including improved ear guards without blocking hearing.
