Cricket Australia is renowned for pioneering innovations in cricket. From employing bat flips to determine batting order to utilising spidercams for enhanced match broadcasts, Australia has been at the forefront.
The latest innovation introduced in the Big Bash League's new season is Electra Stumps, marking yet another incredible addition to cricket's innovations.
What are Electra Stumps, and how do they contribute?
These stumps made their debut in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) before being introduced in a match between Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers in the BBL for the first time. Former Australia batsman and commentator Mark Waugh expressed that these stumps are a delightful present for both fans and cricketers.
The Electra Stumps serve by flashing five different colours to signify various events on the field: dismissals, fours, sixes, no balls, and changes of overs. Each colour corresponds to a distinct occurrence during the game.
1. Out - The stumps will flash red and then shift to a fiery colour.
2. Boundary (four) - Colours will shift in an alternating pattern, flashing all colours.
3. Six - All colours will move upwards.
4. No-ball - Red and white lights will scroll along the stumps.
5. Between overs - A pulsating scroll between purple and blue lights.
While these colourful stumps will certainly enhance the fan experience at the ground, they'll also prove quite useful for spectators who sometimes struggle to follow the action in the middle. The variation in colours can assist certain fans in understanding the proceedings better.
The evolution of cricket broadcast and coverage has been substantial. Once, cricket was played in whites with a red ball, but Kerry Packer revolutionised it all by introducing coloured jerseys.
The Cricket World Cup in 1992, held in Australia, marked the first major tournament where teams sported coloured jerseys. Its resounding success and the vibrant addition to shorter formats cemented this trend.
