It is true that Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved the game of cricket by leaps and bounds and obviously for positive effects. Team management can today analyse the previous performance records and based on the same can plan the strategies for their next game. Each player can use AI and Big data analytics tool to enhance the individual performance by reviewing their track record. Umpires can use the technology to make the right decisions in moments that matter. However, I guess it is time now when we, as the spectators, should sit back for a while and ask ourselves a question – Do we want the perfect decision to be made perfectly every time? Will not so much of technology make the sport sterile and boring? Is it not frustrating and annoying to watch the last wicket of almost all the matches going for review unnecessarily and keeping the winning team to wait from the instant celebration?
Our brain is divided into two hemispheres, and regions within each hemisphere, control certain emotions and functions. One hemisphere is dominant for each of us, which means we are left-headed or right-headed (Sperry, 1967; Lienhard, 2017; Pietrangelo, 2017). The rate with which we are accessing information through Big Data and AI indicates how we might be slowly and gradually becoming left-headed. Practical coaching skills are developed over time with experience. It is kind of imperfect science which sometimes relies on intuition, without conscious reasoning. It is equally essential for a person to maintain the balance between our two sides of the brain and keep the human element (right side) alive (PwC, 2019). Just imagine the situation, where AI-based technology suggests the coach and team management alter game plans, real-time during the game dynamically. In short, is nothing but machine making the decision and coaches just the medium to communicate the same to the team. What will happen if in future the coach is replaced by the machine which will directly communicate with the players? However, is this something required in society? Will, this not take away all the human emotions from the game? Maybe only time will tell.
The cricketing board needs to plan, deploy and govern the technology correctly, to enjoy the meagre benefits at best. However, failure in governing the same can result in unexpected outcomes. The same technology can be used to ruin the integrity of the sport in many ways, few of which are listed below-
In-game betting can be induced if players and game data are exposed.
Team Selection can be affected if talent identification applications are compromised.
Stadium and venue security can be under threat if drone surveillance is compromised.
Fans can be directly impacted if smart assistant tools are compromised (PwC, 2019; Wigmore, 2019).
Decision Review System (DRS) has been referred to many times in the blog, but is it full-proof? Does it not undermine the sanctity of the umpires on the ground? Former umpire Dickie Bird criticised the system, claiming that it weakens the position and right of the on-field umpires. West Indies player Joel Garner named the system a gimmick whereas his colleague Ramnaresh Sarwan claimed of not being a fan of this referral system. Who can forget the 2013 first Ashes test where DRS technology was one of the most prominent blameworthy factors. Jonathan Trott, an English player, was given out leg before by the third umpire, after overruling on-field umpire’s decision. Later International Cricket Council (ICC) and HotSpot creator Warren Brennan had to issue an apology to England, but that could not save Trott or England.
It is time now to sit back and think about how and to what extent we want the machines and technologies to control our lives. Technology and machines are created by us to assist us. We cannot let machines overpower and dominate us because if that happens, humanity, ethnicity and integrity are in danger.
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