The Use of Virtual Reality and Automatic Training Devices in Sport: A Review of Technology Within Cricket and Related Disciplines

Modern technology plays a major role in all aspects of many sports, from training to media commentary and video referees. The work contained in this report is focused on the ball launching devices which are prolific in a number of these sports such as cricket, baseball, tennis and football. These devices are used as aids to enhance the intensity and quality of a training session whilst also enabling batsmen to train without requiring the presence of a bowler. Technological advances, such as visualisation and programmable sessions, have been included in the design of baseball pitching machines but not within the domain of cricket training. The ongoing research presented in this paper highlights a shortfall in the current market and begins to develop a novel cricket bowling system. This includes a fully computer controllable environment capable of creating any cricket bowling delivery synchronised with an accurate visualisation of the bowler throughout the delivery process.