The stumps in a game of cricket had always been a special part for the winning side. It is a natural scenario where the winning team members rush in the middle and uproot a stump to keep it as a memory of the victory. However, the middle stumps were left behind as it contains the stump-camera.
The introduction of the Zing Wicket System, created by South Australian manufacturer Zing International, by the ICC (International Cricket Council), has however killed the tradition.
The cost of manufacturing one such technology filled stump does not allow it to be a part of a team’s celebration and from now none will end up in a cricketer’s living room as a souvenir of a victory as the technology is expensive.
According to the media reports, Zing's Australian inventor Bronte Eckermann had informed of having $40,000 worth of patented technology on the field at each game.
“That is a lot of money. Each bail costs as much as an iPhone. We can't afford to give them away to players at the end of a game,” said Bronte.
On Monday, South Africa had pulled an exciting win in the last over against New Zealand in Group 1 in the ICC World Twenty20 at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The Black Caps needed seven runs off the last six balls, but was denied by a sensational Dale Steyn which kept the Proteas alive in the tournament.
Interestingly when South Africa skipper Faf du Plesis was asked for his thought on ‘not being able to take a wicket home’, the 30-year-old said he will try to get one if the teams wins the game in the semifinals of the ongoing World Twenty20.
Bangladesh spearhead Rubel Hossain clearly remembers of the moment when he dismantled the wicket of New Zealand’s Kyle Mills to secure Bangladesh a 4-0 victory. This was the first Bangladesh had white-washed a Test playing nation at home in an ODI series. Rubel informed of having a wicket from that game nailed to the wall inside the dressing room.
“That moment is one of my special. I kept a wicket from that game and every time I see that, it reminds me of the glory,” said Rubel.
“With the LED wickets in, a cricketer won’t be able to keep a wicket. But it is acceptable as these new invention is giving a new dimension to the game and also that thing is entertaining in for those in the stands or in front of a television,” Rubel added.
The new Zing Wicket System literally lights up with bright red LEDs as soon as the wickets are broken. A sensor in the bails sends a radio signal within 1/1000 of a second even with the slightest impact.
