Cricket Australia (CA) has launched a world-first smartphone and virtual reality umpiring app, giving people the chance to see what it’s like to umpire professional cricket.
Developed by Sports Technology Solutions, the Virtual Umpire app was created to help umpires practice their ability to make correct decisions under pressure and assist their decision-making processes for each ball.
The app also gives people the chance to experience being in the middle of a professional cricket match, making decisions based on deliveries in a T20 match environment.
It is now available on both Android and Apple devices.
Crowd noise, appeals and match sounds enhance the experience, helping to give a true insight into an umpire’s decision-making process in the high-pressure environment of elite cricket.
The app also allows users to choose between standing at bowler’s end or square leg, providing different training opportunities.
Cricket Australia Match Officials Manager, Sean Easey said: “This app is a world-first in cricket officiating, and we are really excited about the impact it could have on umpiring in Australia.
“We see this product as a way to engage with community umpires on a different level, by giving them a training tool to help develop their skills, and also something which could potentially attract new umpires to our game.
“Its aim is to give umpires the chance to throw themselves into the heat of a match situation – 36 deliveries based on footage from real matches and animated, in a virtual reality T20 match at Adelaide Oval.”
As part of the app, instant feedback is provided on decision making – including the ability to replay each delivery with ball tracking, while a score tab is available at the end of each over.
The app is available for free, and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
