Hot Spot (cricket)

Hot Spot is an infra-red imaging system used in cricket to determine whether the ball strikes the batsman, bat or pad. The technology was developed by the military and works by placing two infrared cameras at either end of the pitch. These cameras identify the heat generated from the ball hitting the batsman's bat or pad. A negative image is then produced using a computer system which will show the exact point of contact between the ball and the batsman. [cite web | url = http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=466130&lid=7562&clid=&channel=Cricket&title=Welcome+to+the+Hot+Spot |title = Welcome to the Hot Spot |publisher = SKY |date = 11-05-2007 |accessdate = 2007-07-26]

Applications in sport

Cricket

The technology was first used by Nine Network during the first Test match of the 2006-07 Ashes at The Gabba, on 23 November 2006. [cite web | url = http://www.9perth.com.au/News/item126.aspx |title = NINE unveils new 'HOT SPOT' cricket technology |publisher = Nine Network |date = 2006 |accessdate = 2007-07-26] It is the newest tool used by cricket commentators (following slow-motion, Snickometer, Hawk-Eye, and Ultra motion). [cite web | url = http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/297167.html |title = Hawk-Eye, hotspots and Daddles the Duck |publisher = Cricinfo |date = 07-06-2007 |accessdate = 2007-07-26]

Its major use in cricket is in determining whether the ball has struck the batsman's bat or pad. If the ball is a legal delivery and has struck the bat then the batsman could be deemed out caught. The advantage of Hot Spot over Snickometer is it clearly shows where the ball strikes the batsman unlike Snickometer which can produce inconclusive results. Hot-Spot can also be used in LBW decisions to determine whether the ball strikes the bat or leg. If the ball hits the leg first the batsman could be deemed out LBW. If the ball struck the bat first the batsman could not be out LBW, but could be out caught. This technology is not currently available to umpires and is only seen by television viewers.

In considering whether a batsman is out when the ball strikes bat or pad and is then caught by a member of the fielding team, one of the most difficult decisions is whether the ball struck the pad only, or the bat only, or (if it struck both) whether the pad or the bat was struck first. If the ball strikes the bat only, then the batsman could be out caught but not LBW. If the ball strikes the pad only, then the batsman could be out LBW but not caught. If the ball strikes the bat followed by the pad, then the batsman is out caught if a fielder takes the catch and not out if the catch is not taken. If the ball strikes the pad followed by the bat, then the batsman is out caught if a fielder takes a catch but could be out LBW if the catch is not taken. The batsman's bat and pad are often close together, and it can be very hard to determine by eye which was struck first, whereas the hotspot technology can often resolve the question.

ee also

*Snickometer

References