The 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League is set to witness something very new as the organizers are planning to introduce a cricket ball with an embedded microchip. The 9th season of the KFC Big Bash League is all set to get underway on December 14 while the final of the tournament will be played on 8th February.
The Big Bash League has been up there with the very best T20 tournaments across the globe and over the years it has only enriched to a different league. It is up there with IPL in world T20 League across the globe.
Meanwhile, the microchip technology might well be tried with the Kookaburra ball in Test cricket. The Australian ball manufacturer is currently in the final stages of testing the new technology and the product. If the microchip is introduced it will deliver instant statistics on the speed at a release point, pre bounce and post bounce.
The Kookaburra SmartBall is here.
It looks, feels and moves the same way as a regular Kookaburra cricket ball, but collects and communicates instant statistical data on revolutions, speed.
Want to change the way you play? Register your interest today: https://t.co/7RMWoXTmTJ pic.twitter.com/e8dgHThtEw
— Kookaburra Cricket (@KookaburraCkt) August 12, 2019
As per reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, it is learnt that the readings in a microchip ball are more comprehensive than normal statistics shown in the screen. In the future, the microchipped ball can be used to make DRS more comprehensive and help the umpires.
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The new innovation is set to bring a huge change as far as close catching is concerned. It will actually give a conclusive idea whether the ball will touch the grass when the umpires are often confused as pictures often tend to mislead them and the soft signal from the onfield umpire becomes that much important.
One of cricket's most anticipated developments will be revealed at Lord's tonight, as Australians prepares for the second test. Melbourne manufacturer Kookaburra has embedded a microchip in the core of its smartball to provide real time data. @LanaMurphy #9News pic.twitter.com/VwChLQ4fN4
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) August 10, 2019
Meanwhile, it was SportCor, a firm owned by former Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz which collaborated with Kookaburra to bring the massive change in the technological aspect of cricket. The company feels that if there isn’t any hiccup, it could be part of the international set up pretty soon. Even England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler batted for the introduction of the microchipped ball in international cricket.
“It’ll be a great coaching tool and for viewers as well, it’s amazing to see that instant feedback. It seems to behave exactly the same as a regular ball,” Buttler further added.
