In cricket, what is "Hawk-Eye" used for?
VerifiedAnswer: Predicting the ball's trajectory for Leg Before Wicket (LBW) decision reviews.
Explanation:
Hawk-Eye is a revolutionary ball-tracking technology that has transformed cricket decision-making since its introduction. This sophisticated computer system uses multiple high-speed cameras positioned around the cricket ground to track the exact path of the ball from the moment it leaves the bowler's hand until it reaches its destination.
The primary purpose of Hawk-Eye in cricket is to assist umpires in making accurate LBW decisions during the Decision Review System (DRS). When a batsman is given out LBW or when an appeal is turned down, either team can request a review. Hawk-Eye then recreates the ball's trajectory using advanced algorithms and shows exactly where the ball would have gone if the batsman's leg hadn't interrupted its path.
For an LBW decision to be given, the ball must satisfy several conditions: it should pitch in line with the stumps or outside off-stump, hit the batsman's pad in line with the stumps, and would have gone on to hit the stumps. Hawk-Eye's predictive capability helps determine whether the ball would have hit the stumps, providing crucial information that the naked eye often cannot accurately judge.
The system works by capturing the ball's movement at multiple points during its flight, analyzing factors like speed, spin, bounce, and deviation. It then uses physics-based calculations to project where the ball would have traveled if there had been no obstruction. The famous graphic showing the ball's path with a red or green projection hitting or missing the stumps has become an iconic part of modern cricket broadcasts.
While Hawk-Eye is most commonly associated with LBW decisions, it also serves other purposes in cricket. It helps in analyzing bowling patterns, tracking ball movement for coaching purposes, and providing detailed statistics about deliveries. However, its most significant contribution remains in reducing human error in crucial LBW decisions, making the game fairer and more precise for players and fans alike.
