Light Stumps on a Cricket Field, But Why?

The Event

On April 22, 2023, during an IPL match, Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered what turned out to be the most financially expensive final over of the tournament. Surprisingly, it wasn't due to the runs conceded, but because of the damage caused to the equipment.

What exactly happened? Well, Arshdeep managed to break the LED middle stump not once, but twice on consecutive deliveries against the Mumbai Indians. In both instances, the ball struck the exact spot where the camera is placed, shattering the stump into pieces. The sight of the stump microphone flying out was a first for many spectators, and the incident quickly became a hot topic on social media.

The Invention of LED Stumps

The invention of LED stumps can be traced back to 2012, when former Australian grade cricketer and engineer Bronte Eckermann came up with the idea. Inspired by one of his daughter’s toys, which resembled a cricket bail and had LED lights, Eckermann, along with his business partner David Leggitwood, founded Zing International in Australia. Eckermann, now the Director of Zing International, revolutionised cricket by introducing LED bails and stumps, which have since become a standard in international cricket.

Traditionally, stumps and bails were made from wood, but the introduction of LED stumps marked a significant shift. These new stumps, made from composite plastic, are embedded with LED lights, equipped with a stump camera, and feature a microphone. Additionally, the Zing bails are powered by hidden low-voltage batteries and contain microprocessors that detect when the bails are dislodged from the stumps. This advanced technology allows the bails to light up within 1/1000th of a second upon contact with the ball, bat, or player, sending a radio signal to the stumps to trigger the lights.

Adoption and Use in Cricket

LED stumps made their debut in 2013 during Australia's Big Bash League. Shortly after, in July 2013, the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved their use in international matches. The stumps received widespread acclaim during the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, and since then, they have been a fixture in major ICC tournaments worldwide. National cricket boards have also adopted these stumps for their bilateral series and T20 franchise leagues like the IPL, BBL, and The Hundred.

Benefits for Umpires

The introduction of LED stumps has greatly simplified the decision-making process for umpires. In the past, it was challenging to determine in real-time whether the bails had been dislodged, even with the help of the third umpire. However, with LED stumps, the moment the bails are broken, they emit a bright light, making it easier for both on-field and third umpires to make accurate calls, especially in tight situations like stumpings and runouts. The stumps’ visibility in low-light conditions further enhances their effectiveness.

The Cost of LED Stumps

The price can vary depending on factors such as quality, manufacturer, and location. A set of LED stumps, including the bails, manufactured by Zing International, costs approximately $40,000, which translates to around ₹30 lakhs to ₹35 lakhs in India. Even a pair of Zing bails alone costs about ₹50,000, enough to buy a decent laptop.

Other manufacturers like StumpVision and Intelliconn offer LED stumps in a price range of $5,000 to $20,000 (₹4 lakhs to ₹16 lakhs). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other cricket boards do not purchase these expensive stumps outright. Instead, the BCCI has signed a long-term contract with Zing International, which rents out the stumps for both international matches in India and the IPL. For the IPL seasons of 2021 and 2022, the BCCI reportedly paid around ₹1.60 crores and ₹2 crores, respectively, to Zing International. As part of the contract, Zing is responsible for maintaining the stumps and bails, and in cases like Arshdeep's incident, where the stump is broken during a match, the organisers cover the replacement costs.

The Technology Behind the Flashing Stumps

The Zing wicket system, as it’s known, was developed by Bronte Eckermann. The system’s core innovation lies in its microprocessors, which detect when the bails are dislodged from the stumps. Powered by low-voltage batteries, these microprocessors send a radio signal to the stumps, causing them to light up within 1/1000th of a second. This technology ensures that the stumps only flash when both ends of the bails are completely dislodged, regardless of vibrations, knocks, or weather conditions.

The practical benefits of this technology were evident in cases like the one involving Indian captain MS Dhoni during a Test match against England in 2006, where uncertainty about whether he was behind the crease led to a controversial decision. The LED stumps could have provided clarity in such situations.

The Evolution of Cricket Equipment

The development of LED stumps represents a significant evolution from the traditional wooden stumps and bails. Although the sight of players clutching stumps after a victory might become less common due to the expense of this high-tech equipment, the benefits they bring to the game in terms of fairness and accuracy are undeniable. The investment of hundreds of thousands of Australian dollars into this technology has transformed cricket, ensuring that every decision on the field is as precise as possible.