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| New Technology "Sonic" in International Cricket | Image (iStock) |
Decisions by umpires on whether the ball has touched the bat often spark controversy in cricket. When the ball passes close to the bat, it can be hard to tell with the naked eye whether there was a slight touch. Although technology use has grown in modern cricket, making decisions in such situations is still challenging. To reduce this problem, a new technology called "Sonic" is being introduced in international cricket.
The technology will be used for the first time in the series between India and New Zealand. Through sound analysis, Sonic will give the third umpire additional information on whether the ball hit the bat. This is expected to provide more help when reviewing crucial on-field decisions.
What Is Sonic Technology?
Sonic is a sound-analysis-based technology that detects the sound created when bat and ball make contact and provides information about a possible connection. In cricket, the ball often passes very close to the bat, raising doubt about whether it touched the bat or just brushed past it. Such incidents are especially talked about when the ball goes to the wicketkeeper or a fielder standing in the slips.
In these situations, analyzing sound data, rather than relying only on visual observation, can give extra help in making a decision. That is essentially what Sonic will do.
How Will Sonic Work?
The core of Sonic's method is sound analysis. When the ball hits the bat, a particular sound is usually produced. The technology analyzes the characteristics of that sound to help determine whether contact occurred between ball and bat.
If a batter is given out and asks for a review of the decision, the third umpire can examine the matter through the DRS (Decision Review System). Information from Sonic's analysis will be considered at that time.
For example, suppose a ball passes very close to a batter's bat and is caught by the wicketkeeper. If the on-field umpire cannot be sure the ball hit the bat, questions can arise about the decision. In such a situation, Sonic's sound analysis can give the third umpire additional information on whether the ball touched the bat.
However, this technology will not give the final decision on its own. Instead, it will be used together with the umpire's judgment and other relevant information used in DRS.
Sonic Joins the DRS System
DRS is an important technological system in modern cricket. It gives players the chance to have the on-field umpire's decision reconsidered. The third umpire verifies decisions using various technologies, including ball tracking.
Sonic is being added to this existing system. It will be used as part of the DRS system supplied by Virtual Eye. The company was recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2008 for its ball-tracking technology.
With Sonic added, sound-based information can also be taken into account during reviews. The technology could play an effective role especially when there is doubt about whether the ball touched the bat.
New Technology Developed in New Zealand
Sonic was developed in New Zealand. It has been reported that the testing and effectiveness-verification process has been completed. Preparations for testing and using the technology were made in consultation with the ICC, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) assisted in the process.
Before new technology is used in cricket, it is important to verify its effectiveness and reliability, because a wrong decision can affect a match result, players' performances, and an entire tournament. For this reason, approval and monitoring by the relevant authorities play an important role whenever new technology is introduced in international cricket.
First Use in the India-New Zealand Series
The ICC has initially permitted the use of Sonic in the series between India and New Zealand. The series is scheduled to include five T20 matches, followed by five ODIs and two Tests. This will give an opportunity to observe the technology's use across different formats.
For now, however, automatic approval has not been given for using Sonic in other international series. If it is to be used in other series in the future, fresh approval must be obtained from the ICC.
How Important Is Sonic for Cricket?
One of the main purposes of increasing technology use in cricket is to improve the accuracy of decisions and reduce controversy. Technologies like Hawk-Eye, or ball tracking, provide information about the ball's trajectory. Sonic, on the other hand, will help detect possible contact between bat and ball through sound analysis.
This adds another source of information to the DRS system. The technology could be especially important in incidents where there is doubt about whether the ball hit the bat.
However, more observation is needed to assess how reliable Sonic is, how much help it can provide in real matches, and what its limitations are in different conditions. The technology is not a substitute for an umpire's experience and judgment; rather, it is a way of making the decision-making process more informed.
Overall, the use of Sonic is a new addition to technology-driven umpiring in international cricket. After observing its performance in the India-New Zealand series, there may be a possibility of using it in other international matches in the future. In that case, ICC approval and test results will be important.