Tech Transformation of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Rajneesh De, Consulting Editor, APAC News Network

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has already commenced and with India too now successfully taking the field, the interest too will soon be touching crescendo. For the next one and a half months, even as it coincides with the festive season across the country, cricket will be the main religion and cricket stars the main God.

Even as the spectators get immersed into their cricketing experience, it is undeniable that new-generation technologies have transformed how cricket is played and how it is viewed. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been no exception and is already witnessing a plethora of technology deployment both on the playing pitches as well as on viewing media and not to forget on advertising around the World Cup.

Tech on the Ground

Let’s first assess the technology leverage in the actual playing grounds during the World Cup. The Decision Review System (DRS) has now become an integral part of modern cricket, utilizing technologies such as ball-tracking, Snickometer and Hawkeye to review contentious decisions. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, DRS will continue playing a crucial role in ensuring accurate decision-making. These technologies basically leave no room for doubt, injecting an extra dose of excitement into every match.

The power of analytics is being leveraged optimally to drive player performance. Teams and coaches are unlocking the full potential of players through data-driven performance analysis. Technologies like ball-tracking systems and wearable sensors provide insights into the intricacies of batting techniques, bowling actions, and fielding prowess.

These analytics help teams identify strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of play, enabling them to strategize and optimize performance. These insights are helping teams fine-tune their strategies and tailor training programs accordingly that can consequently harness the untapped capabilities of each player. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is geared up to showcase the result of these efforts as players step onto the grand stage, ready to showcase their enhanced skills.

Data-driven match analysis is also going to be a critical tool for teams in this ICC Cricket World 2023. Real-time data collection and analysis tools will enable the analysts associated with each team to assess player and team performance during matches. These technologies offer insights into batting and bowling patterns, run rates, fielding positions, and match dynamics. No doubt these real-time in-the-match analyses will help teams make informed decisions on strategy and tactics during the game.

Unlike in the past, no team have to rely solely on intuition and gut feelings as real-time data collection and analysis tools will take center stage. This data-driven analysis will help teams make informed decisions, adapt strategies, and capitalize on pivotal World Cup 2023 moments. This extensive level of analysis will introduce a new era of precision and strategic excellence on the cricket field during this World Cup.

Technology is poised to be another big panacea for the umpires during the ICC World Cup 2023. Umpiring decisions can be contentious, especially in high-pressure situations. Technology will help these umpires with tools such as ball-tracking, edge-detection systems, and audio sensors to detect faint edges or no-balls.

Umpiring decisions can often sway the tide of a match, and technology is a valuable aid in ensuring fairness and accuracy. By reducing human error and enhancing decision-making, technology will contribute to fair play and will uphold the integrity of the ICC World Cup 2023. This delicate balance between umpires and technology will ensure that the game’s human element is preserved while benefiting from technology’s advantages.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will also have the in-situ pitch changing technology. This is a mechanism that can hold upto 6 different cricket pitches at the same place and can be changed in a minute. There is an underground machine that can hold and change upto 6 pitches of different curated conditions in the shortest time possible rotated by an extreme torque motor.

There are going to be quite a few benefits for both the teams and the venues. Pitches similar to match match pitches will be available for practice. Fast and bouncy, seaming pitches and rank turners could be made available at one place. The toss factor can be minimized and teams batting 2nd can use a fresh pitch. It makes the match evenly poised and exciting for fans and will reduce home advantage and doctored pitches

Advanced technologies will also contribute to efficient management of venues during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Ticketing systems, access control mechanisms, CCTV surveillance, and crowd management tools will help ensure smooth operations and enhance security measures.

Tech in Cricket Broadcasting

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will captivate audiences with a truly immersive broadcasting experience. Through high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (4K) visuals, the viewers will be transported straight into the heart of the action. Innovations like ultra-motion cameras and stump microphones will capture every detail, allowing fans to savor the intensity of the game and its several intricacies.

Augmented reality (AR) graphics and virtual reality (VR) experiences will also be incorporated, further enhancing the viewing experience. These will leave audiences feeling the adrenaline rush in the games as if they were present in the stadium itself.

The ICC World Cup 2023 promises to be an immersive experience for fans across the world, fueled by the widespread adopion of technology. Social media platforms, dedicated mobile applications, and interactive websites will keep fans connected with real-time updates, live scores, and interactive content at their fingertips.

VR experiences and live streaming platforms will transport fans to the heart of the action, allowing them to feel the excitement of the ICC World Cup 2023, irrespective of their locations. Cricket enthusiasts will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the game like never before. They can share their passion and connecting with fellow fans across the globe.

Meta has partnered with ICC to expand the coverage of the ICC World Cup 2023. Meta claims this to be the largest-ever creator campaign for any ICC tournament. Meta will arrange access to various creators to provide behind-the-scenes coverage as well as interactions during, before, and after the matches.

The campaign will involve more than 500 creators who will cover the tournament on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads. A special group of 50 creators, known as the ‘Super 50’, will have exhaustive access to matches, including pre-and post-match field access, interactions with commentators and ambassadors, and more.

With the ‘Super 50’ creators hailing from different regions of India, Meta claims that the diversity of creators will ensure that every match will be covered in a unique way, in their city, and in their language. In addition to the ‘Super 50’, numerous other creators will attend matches and share their experiences with their audiences.

Amazon has also dubbed Alexa as a fellow cricket enthusiast to provide millions of fans company while they enjoy high-octane cricket matches. Users can now seek match schedules, player stats, and interesting trivia from Alexa. To celebrate the spirit of cricket, users can simply say “Alexa, cheer for India”.

The virtual assistant can help cricket fans to keep up with the happenings of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. To mark the occasion, Amazon has unveiled some features including real-time tracking, staying updated on your favourite team, your go-to cricket expert, no more missing highlights and big screen magic.

The users will be able to keep track of the tournament in real-time and how their favourite teams are faring. They simply need to ask “Alexa, when is the next cricket match?” or “Alexa who won the toss? ,“Alexa, who is batting now?” or monitor scores with “Alexa, what’s the cricket score?” Users can also get toss and player updates and more about the Indian cricket team or any other team you are cheering for.

While enjoying matches, there are moments the users jog their memories to find statistics about a particular player or match. With Alexa, digging trivia information will be literally on fingertips. Catching up on match highlights is an age-old tradition. Alexa can give users information about the man of the match, the top run-scorer, and the wicket-taker.

Last but not the least, the users can enjoy the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on the big screen with Alexa and Fire TV. The voice assistant can help the users fire up their TV for the big match, and enhance the viewing experience on Fire TV with the Alexa Voice Remote. With smart home essentials, Alexa can help the users set the right ambiance, set up the mood lighting, and more.

Tech Soaring in Advertisement

Whether you like it or not, advertising will be a pivotal part of the ICC World Cup Cricket 2023. Technology has played a transformative role in advertising in the World Cup from AI-driven personalized campaigns to immersive AR and VR experiences.

Thanks to AI, brands now understand the personalized nature of campaigns better and will leverage it fully during the World Cup. For example, during India’s nail-biting match, the user’s social media feed might get notifications for India’s merchandise or a nearby sports bar offering discounts. The advertising will get not only more personalized but also contextual. Like that user in the sports bar getting notification on the phone from a food delivery app offering discounts on the fan’s favourite dish.

VR headsets and AR apps will give users the in-stadium experience or even virtual experience of playing with the cricketers themselves. AR apps will also allow the viewers to try their team jerseys virtually, thereby deepening the fans’ emotional connect with the teams thereby helping brands to monetize this further. Interactive billboards will also connect the users better with the viewers during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.