ICC developing wearable sensors in attempt to stamp out illegal bowling actions

Karachi, Sep 11: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly developing wearable sensors in hopes that they can provide the technological breakthrough needed to stamp out illegal bowling actions but does not expect them to be ready for trial in matches before mid-2105. Geoff Allardice, the ICC's general manager of cricket, revealed that there has been lots of progress in using the technology but stumbling blocks remain to deploying it in matches.

The ICC on Tuesday banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan's most prolific test wicket-taker among active players, after biomechanic tests found all his deliveries broke the limit for straightening of the elbow joint, The Dawn reported. The latest in a string of suspensions for internationals over their bowling actions, Ajmal's ban has fanned fears that 'chucking' is rife at the highest level of the game but it has also been applauded as a timely crackdown on a highly contentious and often elusive problem.

Where umpires have often been reluctant to report their suspicions to match officials, the ICC hopes technology can eliminate subjectivity from the equation, making violations clear-cut through measured, real-time data. The ICC has been working with Australian researchers to develop the wearable inertial sensors that can measure bowlers' actions against the permissible limit for over two years.

The programme has reached key milestones and is now in its third and final phase but challenges remain, believes Allardice. He said that there is a fair bit of work to do before they are going to be able to use them in a match setting. Allardice also said that this next stage is probably going to take 18 months to two years and one wouldn't expect it to be trialled in a match setting until mid-2015 at the earliest, but, added that the science is encouraging.