Micro-Chip Enabled 'Smart Ball' Used In The Opening Match Of CPL 2021

For the first time in cricket history, a micro-chip enabled 'Smart Ball' was used in the opening match of the Caribbean Premier League(CPL) 2021 when defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders met Guyana Amazon Warriors. 

The 'smart ball' is developed by a sports technology company - Sportcor,  in collaboration with Kookaburra, the leading ball manufacturer. 

The ball has a chip embedded in it, which helps in collecting information such as spin, speed, power in real-time. The information can be viewed on a designated application on mobile, tab, and laptop/computer that can be later used in analyses and broadcasting. 

According to the Kookaburra ball manufacturers, the ball has the same characteristics as that of a regular match ball and the chip won't affect the weight of the ball. 

"We had it tested and verified at the University of Queensland where they had the process where Cricket Australia developed the pink ball," former Australia pacer Michael Kasprowicz, who is now the chairman and co-founder of Sportcor, said. 

"The ball's been used in a blind test in Australian cricket in a Marsh Cup 50-over match where the balls were used in the match just to have a look and see if there was any reaction from the players. And there was none. So we've had everything verified and measured. All we've done is replace the cork rubber compound. It's in the centre of the cricket ball," he further added. 

The viewers will be able to see live data on the TV screens that the chip inside the 'Smart Ball' collects and sends to the broadcaster. 

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If this idea of 'Smart Ball' becomes successful, it will be a new step into the revolution of technology in cricket that will not only benefit the viewers with the understanding of the game but also the analysts associated with teams.