What are the technologies used during cricket matches?

Technology has driven Sport in the Modern era and Cricket is no different.

• Cricket Umpire Counter: This is a device that the umpire uses for counting. The device can count Balls, Overs and Wickets. It is designed as per the palm of a hand and its quite handy. It can count up-to 99 overs. The umpire has to rotate the wheels on the counter to change the number and keep track of the balls, wickets and overs.
• Speed Gun - It is a small Doppler radar unit used to detect the speed of moving objects; it is commonly used to determine bowling speeds in cricket broadcast.
• Hawkeye - A computer system first used in 2001 for showing the path of a cricket ball. .Used in Tennis too.Ball tracker may not provide us with accurate decisions, particularly in pitches that experience variable bounce (day 4 and 5 pitches in the sub-continent).
• Snick-o-Meter - A very sensitive microphone located in one of the stumps, which can pick up the sound when the ball nicks the bat. This technology is used to give television umpire more information and to show if the ball did or did not actually hit the bat. Snickometer is being used to supplement Hot Spot technology.
• Ball Spin RPM - Starting during the TV coverage by Sky sports for the 2013 Ashes series, they were able to show a RPM (revolutions per minute) counter, showing how fast the ball was spinning after release.
• Hot Spot - The Hot Spot technology is mostly used to review whether the bat has hit the ball, particularly when there is a small nick. If there is contact, the small amount of heat generated is indicated by a change to that area of the bat. Hot Spot uses two infra-red cameras positioned at either end of the ground. India does not favour it as its effect can be nullified using Vaseline.
• Stump Camera - The stump camera for long has been part of cricket broadcasting. It is a small camera hidden inside the stumps at both ends providing a unique angle to viewers.It allows a set of cameras that small and that advanced to alter how the game of Cricket is perceived.
• Super slow motion - This technology involves the use of a high-speed camera which captures live footage and then reproduces it in super slow motion format.
• Real-time commentary by on-field players – With T20 cricket gaining prominence, players and umpires are hooked with microphones while playing. They interact with commentators to give a unique perspective to the match.Might have seen this in IPL
• LED bails and stumps detects the slightest movement of the stumps and causes them to light up. The same thing happens with the bails. That way, you’ll be able to tell if this has happened immediately. After all, it’s often hard to tell whether any small movement has occurred from a distance otherwise.A drawback is that they are heavier and do not come off easily.
• Domed Stadiums-Cricket games don’t have to be postponed as much since the dome can be extended to keep out rain and other inclement weather that makes playing cricket particularly difficult.It pulls out moisture in the air and creates an environment that’s more conducive to playing cricket within about half an hour.
• Umpires Light Meter: The Megatron Umpires Lightmeter (ULM) is a compact accurate digital instrument originally designed to indicate lighting levels on the cricket field. The reading can be taken directly, or using the HOLD position on the ON/OFF switch. "Bad light" is usually offered to the batsman at a figure of about 3.5.
• The Spidercam is another remarkable improvement in the coverage of Cricket matches since it provides a unique angular view of the matches to the viewers. The Spidercam is a system that enables the cameras to move both vertically and horizontally over a defined area i.e. the Cricket ground. It is operated using four motorized winches positioned at each corner of the ground.
• The 'Merlyn by BOLA' bowling machine is the most sophisticated and accurate spin bowling training aid in the world.When the ECB took delivery of the first 20 machines in 2009 the 'Merlyn by BOLA' was greeted with praise and enthusiasm by professional players and coaches alike when.The accuracy of the machine and the sophisticated electronic control package combine in a unique way to give the coach complete control of the spinning delivery. Recently England tackled the spin of Kuldeep Yadav and Y.Chahal using it.
• Umpire cam-The umpire cam was introduced in the IPL of 2014 , wherein on-field umpires had a GoPro camera on top of their caps. These cameras essentially add a new dimension to the way we watch the action on the pitch.