Twenty20 World Cup: An extra dose of 'Zing' in an ICC event
Twenty20 cricket will see another innovation when the much-talked about Zing Wicket System is put into use. Stumps will light up and dazzle as soon as the wickets are broken during a match for the first time in an ICC event.
The most delightful of dismissals to watch for an average cricket fan is when a batsman is clean bowled or when a direct hit by a leaping fielder dislodges the stumps. In the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh, an extra 'Zing' will be added to such thrilling moments. (Friday Blockbuster: India-Pakistan to set the ball rolling in Super-10)
The new Zing Wicket System will see the stumps literally light up with bright red LEDs as soon as the wickets are broken. A sensor in the bails will send a radio signal within 1/1000 of a second even with the slightest impact. However, each bail is precious and costs as much as an iPhone, which means players will not be allowed to take away the stumps and bails as souvenirs after winning a match. (Also read: India-Pakistan clash not war, says MS Dhoni)
"We have USD 40,000 worth of patented technology out on the field at each game and 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," says Zing's Australian inventor Bronte Eckermann. (India vs Pakistan: Top 10 quotes)
The Zing Wicket System has been used in the Australian Big Bash and the T20 leagues in Australia and New Zealand before, with fans waiting to catch a glimpse of the glowing wickets when Lasith Malinga recently got his yorkers going in a warm-up match against India. (Watch: India vs Pakistan: Top-five battles to watch out for)
Fans may be rest assured that the stumps do not have any bearing on the playing conditions and it will not play a part in the umpires' decisions during the match. However, it will only add to the excitement of what promises to be a stellar Twenty20 World Cup in 2014 and spice up the experience of a dismissal.