Cricket has changed a lot since it's inception and so did the technologies related to it. Starting with the gloves and pads to the umpires and the devices used by them. Even the format of the sport has changed or evolved as per the need of the hour. Earlier, it was just a 60-over game played over a course of 5-6 days but now the T20 and T10 formats have taken the world by surprise.
It's shocking to see the game evolve so much over the years. Similarly, the game rules and technologies have evolved. The umpires have quite a number of devices now which help them keep a track on many things including the bowlers speed and many more things.
Let's check out the five devices used by umpires in cricket:
1. Snicko-meter
The snicko-meter used in cricket is a kind of device which detects spikes that happen in the bat or pad as the ball passes by. To get a better view about the wicket, the umpires check the snicko-meter to judge whether the batter is out or not-out. These are basically directional microphones that uses the sound of bat and pad to detect the spike.
2. Ball Gauge
As per the cricket laws, there are certain size of the ball which should be followed across formats. Hence, the ball gauges are used by the umpires to keep a check on the ball and whenever they find any changes in the size, the ball is changed. It is more common than usual that the ball loses it's shape when it is hit hard with destructive players around.
3. Counter
Umpires use a device called counter to keep a track of the balls bowled in an over. Soon after the ball is bowled, umpires press the buttons present around the device which depicts the number of balls bowled in an over. Earlier, umpires used to use marbles to count the balls, holding them in one hand. After a ball is delivered, they used to transfer it to the other hand and that way it worked out.
4. Walkie-talkie
Walkie-talkies are used by on-field umpires to connect with the third umpires who are sitting inside. During the DRS, umpires get help from third umpires to determine the results of the game. That's when the walkie-talkie comes to use.
5. Protective Shield
As the T20 spirit is on among batters, there is no protection shield for the umpires to protect themselves from their wrath. Hence, the umpires have a hand protective shield on their hand to dodge the balls coming their way in T20 games, especially in the IPL.