And now there is a software tool that helps the players and coaches of cricket to develop strategies and improve the performance of players and the team.

E-CricketPro, an analytical tool, which offers the end-user specific data capture and query-based screens that helps them review, analyse and strategise the game comparatively, was launched in Bangalore on Tuesday by BCCI President, AC Muthiah. The software tool has been developed by Phoenix Global Solutions here and endorsed by the BCCI.

The team could use the tool on live matches to do several functionalities including recording ball by ball video; data entry of the attributes (type of ball, type of stroke, runs scored, dismissal etc) to the video on a ball by ball level; storage of the video with attributes on a database; and query and replay video of any specific performance of a player as needed, it was explained at a demonstration at the launch.

Noting that South Africa and Australia already had such a tool and Pakistan had just launched it, Muthiah said e-CricketPro would be a tremendous source of strength in analysing the game. "India has tremendous talent and great players, and it (e-CricketPro) will be an added strength and help us leverage our skills," he said at the launch, attended among others by BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele and the coach of the Indian team John Wright.

Muthiah said the aim of the tool was to see that India did well in the forthcoming home series against Australia and also in the World Cup. He said the BCCI was thinking of launching a "simpler software tool" for the use of state cricket associations.

Commending the software tool, Lele said "By 2003, we will be well conversed with e-CricketPro."

Wright expressed the hope that the tool would help India gain competitive advantage and allow the team to concentrate on specifics in a focused manner.

Asked about the market for eCricketPro, Managing Director of Phoenix, Satish said it would be cricketing world across the globe. The company was working on extending functionalities of the tool, including introducing factors such as knowledge management and intelligence, he said.

© PTI