Cricinfo - Blogs - Different Strokes - Microphone. Major impact.

Most famously, it has let all of us become voyeurs as we listen to players sledging, chatting, complaining, joking and indulging in all of the little conversational moments that take place during the game. There are plenty of us that wish commentators wouldn't talk over the stump microphone!

And of course, players often aren't happy about the stump microphone for precisely the same reason: too much of what they say leaks into living rooms, a complaint most famously made by Shane Warne after the "f**king arsey c*nt" controversy.

In giving us access to these conversations, the stump microphone also performs one salutary function. It demystifies cricket by reminding us that it's just a game played by a bunch of men (in all their glorious imperfection). And often it does so by reminding us of the informality that lies behind the sometimes ponderous cricket analysis that accompanies each Test match.

I was reminded of this when watching the last over of the second day's play in the Mohali test when Amit Mishra, India's new leg-spinner trapped Michael Clarke with a googly on the penultimate ball of the day.

What made the last over even more enjoyable for me (besides getting the crucial wicket of Clarke) was picking up on the stump mics just how informally the entire cricketing conversation went. For Dhoni did not walk up to Mishra and go into a long conference, and gravely decide to implement the change. Instead Dhoni simply yelled out in Hindi "Try it from the other side" (note not, "Amit, I think you should try bowling around the wicket"). The interesting thing is that Mishra did not comply the first time this was suggested. It was almost as if Mishra shrugged off that directive, and went on bowling over the wicket. Dhoni persisted, calling out the same line again. Mishra finally complied and dismissed Clarke.

I found this little moment hugely entertaining. For one thing the conversation took place in Hindi, which provided a flashback to the games that I played as a youngster back in Delhi, with its particular slang and inflections. Secondly, it reminded me that I was watching a couple of cricket players trying something out on the spur of the moment, which is often how most games proceed. And lastly, the informality of it all was like a breath of fresh air for one subjected to several hours of television commentary.

Like most additions to media coverage of sports, the stump microphone has had mixed effects. But at moments like this, it delivers on what it promises: access to the sporting action in a way that changes the way you think about the game.

The best thing about the stump microphones is that is has shown the Australians to be the worst behaved team in world cricket. Now,everyone has proof. I remember Steve Waugh complaining about about visual replays on the ground (when it showed the shocking LBW decisions given against opposing batsmen)because he (Waugh) said that it was unfair for the umpires to be put under so much pressure. In code that means the Aussies can't cheat as often as they want because the evidence was there for everyone to see, Thank you for Neutral Umpires, Australia. God Bless You all.

I agree the stump microphone is terrific. I wish it were available to the umpires!

If the umpires had a live feed with an ear-piece to the stump microphone at the other end it would negate the problem of noisy stadiums. The majority of poor decisions from umpires, I think, come from them not being able to hear the nicks. Here is an example where we could use very simple technology to assist the umpires.

This idea has everything going for it. It leaves the power with the on field umpire and it won't add any delays. It just helps umpires make the right decision.

I don't understand why this idea hasn't been introduced already.

Waterbuffalo it is time you & everyone else takes a break from using anything and everything to complain about the aussie cricket team. This was a simple article about the great joy stump mics have bought to the televised game and you use it as a vehicle to once again denounce the aussies! Open your eyes and stop being so biased and naive. Every team indulges in banter and every team gets bad decisions against them, even the aussies. Australia have had a couple this series but they are not complaining or calling for boycotts or for umpires to step down & be replaced. Get off your moral high horse and just enjoy the cricket.

Excellent article Samir, the stump microphone does enhance the experience for the TV viewer significantly. But what about the stump camera, are those few clips, half obscured by the batsman's leg, of the stumps being rattled really worth the investment?
I was thinking about this a few days ago, and I realized that almost every single technological innovation in cricket is tied to improving the experience for the viewer. In other words, its the broadcasters who bring (or at least present) technology. In fact I don't understand why people complain about imbibing technology with cricket, the only technology used by umpires is audio and visual aids, both which provide the viewer at home the ability to be a judge too.
I would like to see real autonomous technology which aids umpires, like sensors in the crease and in the stumps, so no balls and run outs can be accurately and immediately called/decided. If you're going to include technology, use it to make decisions conclusive.