Cricket fans to interact in real time with new app

Friday 25 Nov 2011
Australia’s couch-bound umpires will finally get to have their say on controversial cricket decisions when Cricket Australia (CA) unveils a new phone application later today, The Australian reports.

In a deal between CA, the Nine Network and Vodafone Australia, the phone and tablet app will allow viewers to cast their vote on controversial decisions as they happen, with the network broadcasting the results live on screen.

And cricket fans will also have a hand in choosing man-of-the-match for the Tests using the app.

The Viewers Verdict application developed by Vodafone will be the latest digital innovation for Nine’s summer of cricket.

The world-first technology will also allow users to predict how many runs a player might score with the results of the polls screened on Nine in real time.

The technology debuts in the first Test against New Zealand next Thursday.

Last year Vodafone’s cricket app offering live scoring updates, results from domestic and international matches and player profiles was downloaded more than 265,000 times.

Nine and Vodafone executives expect the new app to generate an even greater audience because it will get the TV audience into discussion about umpires’ decisions, bowling choices and other parts of the game.

The broadcaster and phone company have had to get approval for the use of the app from the International Cricket Council.