It was John F Kennedy who said “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past and the present are certain to miss the future”.
Cricket has been around for more than 140 years and despite its origins in more conservative times, it is the most innovative game of them all. Numerous changes have occurred, including the introduction of limited overs formats and the use of technology.
How many other sports have three distinct formats that work successfully at the highest level? Other sports are jealous of cricket’s chameleon-like traits. Some have tried to mimic its different formats; some laughably so.
With the dismal performance of the two touring teams this summer, it is easy to fall for the trap of writing cricket, and its longest format, off for the long term. Test cricket has had its eulogy written before, but time has proven those to be premature.
Out of disappointment, from time to time, I have been guilty of having a fairly dim view of the future of Test cricket. Had England been here this summer playing their new, exciting brand of the longer format, we might be looking at the future through a rosier lens.
With the New Year commencing, here is my idiosyncratic stab at how technology is likely to impact the game a generation from now. If you are a traditionalist and the words “real time”, “analysis”, “drones”, “robots”, “AI” overwhelm you, have a Bex and a lie down while I play futurist.
Australian captain Pat Cummins.Credit:Getty Images
The widespread adoption of diverse technologies will make cricket less staid, more unpredictable. Technology has already had a huge impact on the game, with the introduction of Hawk-Eye, Hot Spot and Snicko helping to improve the accuracy of umpiring decisions. 4K and 5K cameras will make umpiring even more precise.
T20 cricket has hastened the use of technology and the extensive analysis of players, both for and against, is already happening in the IPL. Test cricket will adopt these practices and become slicker and more exciting.
Cricket behind the scenes is changing at a speed never witnessed before and – while it is scaring the traditionalists – it must, to remain relevant in a world where e-sports are sprouting like mushrooms.
In the not-so-distant future, technology-enhanced smart-balls and sensors in bats will collect data. The ensuing feedback will aid real-time analysis for players and coaches.
Drones and robots will be commonplace. Drones will monitor the playing field to provide real-time analysis. Robots will be widely used, not merely in training sessions, but to replicate the skills and variations of opposition batters and bowlers.
Virtual reality will also be used to improve the game. This technology will allow players to practice in a virtual environment, to hone their skills without having to be on the field. This will help players become better, reduce injuries and lead to the development of new strategies and tactics.
The use of artificial intelligence will be the major game-changer. AI will analyse player-performance and it will offer immediate feedback. AI will also create accurate simulations of match conditions providing insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each player and team.
Cricket spectators of the future will be able to use enhanced and virtual reality technology to compare themselves with their heroes. For instance, they will want to compare their bat-speed with that of the Virat Kohli of the 2040s or their bowling skills with that of the Dennis Lillee of the time. No more arguments about the merits and greatness of a Trumper, Warne or Tendulkar!
Golf has adopted technology and data collection that has changed the way the game is taught, practiced and played. Cricket’s American cousin, baseball, that most traditional of American sports, is using technology in games that allows teams to respond to the opposition pitchers and batters at all levels. Elite sports are using technology to track the health and performance of athletes to gain the slightest advantage over their opponents.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald speaks to Mitchell Starc.Credit:Getty
The equipment used in cricket is also likely to evolve as rules concerning bats, for example, will change. Technology will transform the quality of the bats and balls. The bats will become lighter and stronger, whilst the balls will be more aerodynamic, allowing them to move faster and swing more without the need of illegal substances.
3D printing will create custom bats and balls for players, allowing them to tailor gear unique to them. Dennis Lillee’s ComBat aluminium bat was before its time! Traditional equipment makers could go the way of the unicorn.
The way cricket is broadcast will also change. Technology in-stadia will improve the fan experience with each seat conceivably able to choose camera angles and follow individual player movements.
The use of artificial turf will be commonplace in the next 20 years as it has a number of advantages over natural grass, such as being more durable and requiring less maintenance. It is the obvious surface to be used for T20 and other white-ball leagues where the deterioration of the surface is not integral to the format. This will allow cricket to be played in more places and at different times of the year.
Michael Neser celebrates a catch for the Brisbane Heat.Credit:Getty
Cricket has traditionally been a sport that is popular in Commonwealth countries. Expect to see the game expand into new markets such as the USA, where it has been gaining popularity since the migration of people from the cricket-playing countries of South Asia.
Women’s cricket will undergo a dramatic transformation, too. The sport has seen a surge in popularity and media profile in recent years, and this trend will accelerate. Cricket will no longer just be a sport for men, and the number of female players, fans, and coaches will grow exponentially.
The women’s IPL will speed up changes and lead to greater financial stability for players and coaches. My prediction is that women’s cricket will be a leader in the adoption and use of technology.
Not all of these changes will be for the good, and some will come and go as they are discarded in search of a winning edge. What they will do is make the game slicker and more appealing to sports fans and broadcasters of the time.
Despite the inevitable onslaught of technology, the good news is that our game will remain a contest between competitive humans in a high-pressure setting which should please progressives, traditionalists and Luddites alike.
