LCC Broadcast News Room

The evolution of technology has revolutionised sport, in the way it is played, officiated and watched. The Hawk-Eye system that is employed in sports like tennis and cricket to help officials with tight judgement calls has added a new dimension.

Hawk-Eye clearly helps umpires to make accurate decisions. But with the system that began in cricket, before being branched into other sports, is their the possibility that an over reliance on the computer system could develop? 

ECB senior executive Nick Cousins says they need to embrace technological advances "if we try to put our heads in the sand and try to pretend technology is no longer there that would be naiive".

The accuracy and reliability of the system indicates Hawk-Eye is a necessity for the future of sport. Nick Cousins envisages over the next few years the relationship between umpire and computer becoming even stronger.

"I'm fairly confident we'll be able to bring in something which uses the most advances technology in the virtual reality situation to make it a better experience for the training of umpires."

However, only a very small percentage of cricket matches are in a position to use such advancements in technology. For the vast majority of cricket matches in the UK there are more pressing issues.

While the technology to aid officials is improving all the team, there is an issue with the amount of applicants they have applying for the programme. "We don't have a dearth but we do have a shortage".

"Well over half the number of games of cricket that are played in the country are not managed by qualified umpires then obviously that's a situation we're constantly having to address."

The ECB are trying to deal with this problem by encouring young people to get involved in officiating cricket, but especially women."The women's game has exploded in the last five years beyond all proportion." The ECB are hoping to use the increased popularity of the women's game to get more young women involved in training to become umpires.

Find out more about the ECB association of cricket officials