Umpires & iHawk cameras – England’s Tech Aide to Regain Ashes Down Under
In the world of cricket, change is often as slow as the pace of a test match on a lazy afternoon. Yet, behind the scenes, a revolution is underway. England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are doing everything in their power to win the Ashes Down Under in 2025. Even if that means, taking the help of technology to beat their oldest rivals. The term iHawk is doing the rounds in England domestic circuit these days. What is iHawk?The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) performance team is orchestrating a groundbreaking project, crafting a “What It Takes To Win” model tailored specifically for the 2025-26 tour to Australia. This model draws from the wealth of knowledge possessed by current and former coaches and players, as well as data accumulated from past tours down under. Once refined, it will guide decisions regarding talent identification and aid selectors in assembling a squad capable of securing England’s first Ashes victory in Australia since 2010-11. The ultimate goal is to breathe life into data and harness its power to achieve success on the field. Facilitating this endeavor is the ECB’s innovative iHawk technology, simplifying and enhancing the collection of crucial cricketing data. How does iHawk work?By utilizing cameras worn by umpires, iHawk meticulously tracks every delivery, providing insights into factors such as seam movement, release height, pace, and swing. This data is then transformed into an overlay, complete with pertinent information displayed on-screen. Has iHawk been used before?A soft launch of iHawk in 2023 saw extensive data collection from over 200 matches and more than 50,000 deliveries bowled by 250 bowlers. This season marks the first time every domestic men’s and women’s match will be covered, significantly expanding the dataset. Alongside contracted players, emerging talents like Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue are under scrutiny, with plans to delve into the nuanced differences between the Dukes and Kookaburra balls. As England’s Test summer approaches, this wealth of data will inform the selection committee, comprising captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum, managing director Rob Key, and national selector Luke Wright. The selection process may adopt a forward-thinking approach, with an eye on future series, including the Ashes, to ensure the inclusion of players adept in diverse conditions. Any major reactionsStafford Murray, ECB’s performance lead, elucidates the “performance backwards” approach, emphasizing the importance of setting long-term goals and working backward to achieve them. This methodology proved successful in the selection of Shoaib Bashir for the India tour, highlighting the synergy between data analysis and on-field performance. iHawk, described as HawkEye “lite,” has evolved significantly, transitioning from cumbersome equipment to a streamlined harness equipped with a GoPro and a mobile phone. While not real-time, iHawk’s data is rapidly processed and shared among analysts, aiding decision-making processes. What’s in it for the bowlers?For bowlers, iHawk provides insights into delivery speeds and variations, while batters benefit from analyses of their shot selection and impact on match outcomes. The introduction of an “impact metric” underscores the ECB’s commitment to evaluating players beyond traditional statistics, focusing on their contributions to match dynamics. Umpires also benefit from iHawk, utilizing its insights to refine decision-making and familiarize themselves with players’ tendencies. While not intended as a substitute for DRS, iHawk serves as a valuable developmental tool, enhancing umpiring standards and adapting to evolving gameplay trends. Looking ahead, iHawk holds immense potential to revolutionize cricketing analytics and decision-making processes, paving the way for a more data-driven and informed approach to the sport. As England prepares to battle for the Ashes, the fusion of technology and tradition heralds a new era in cricketing excellence. Also read : https://thesportzplanet.com/cricket-q-collar-technology-tom-kohler-cadmore-connection/The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
