'Hawk-Eye' to decide on leg-before decisions

By Mohandas Menon

MUMBAI, MAY 2. Sky TV will be using a state-of-the-art- technology during this season to determine if a batsman is out lbw or not. Aptly named Hawk-Eye the instrument is the invention of Dr. Paul Hawkins, a British scientist.

The technology in the device, which can decide within two seconds on whether a batsman is out lbw, has been based on the missile tracking technology used during the Gulf War. Special cameras are placed all round the ground to provide three- dimensional images of the ball during its flight from the bowler's hand to the batsman's pad.

Within a second the Hawk-Eye calculates where the ball pitched, its sideways movement in the air and off the pitch, its velocity and bounce. Finally it pinpoints exactly where the ball has struck the batsman's pad. The device then forecasts the path the ball would have taken, if the batsman's pads had not come in its way, thus deciding if the ball would have hit the stumps or not.

This equipment is the same size as that of a mobile phone and fits neatly into the palm. It provides instantaneous messages such as: Pitched - Outside off-stump, Pitched - Outside leg- stump, Pitched - on the leg-stump etc.

Meanwhile the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked for a demonstration at the start of the season at Lords. If the device is found useful during this summer it could get an official go- ahead from the ICC, perhaps from 2002.

If this happens then cricket will be played with only the players on the ground and the only umpire for the match sitting in front of the television and Hawk-Eye to give decisions!

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Section  : Sport
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