BRAIN CENTRE

SLC adopts GPS-driven data analytics to accelerate performances

by Shirshendu Roy • Last updated on

SLC's own data analytics technology is believed to facilitate 'identifying, developing, performing, managing and monitoring' their players. © Getty

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), in their bid to accelerate performance on the field, has devised its own data analytics technology that will enable them to collect a wide variety of information (both own and opposition's) to make 'better informed decisions'. Called the 'Brain Centre', it is believed to facilitate 'identifying, developing, performing, managing and monitoring' their players. Credited as the Board president Thilanga Sumathipala's brainchild, who took over two years back, it aims at creating a live database system that not only formulates the information gathered through live matches and training sessions but also researches on countering injuries typical of Sri Lanka's conditions.

"Massive part of world cricket is how countries identify and develop talent. Just because someone is a good player at Under-15 doesn't mean will go on to become a world beater. So what does that pathway look like? What did Mahela Jayawardene look like at 15, 17, 19 and why did it take for someone like Asela Gunaratne to make his debut at 31? All these questions can be answered to better predict future performances," said Simon Willis, Sri Lanka's High Performance manager, also responsible for seeing the ambitious project through.

The board believes that the 'Brain Centre' will help players meet the demands of the fast changing modern game, and help them keep up with the competition from their oppositions. It will also keep close tabs on every player through a player management system, from assessing recoveries from injuries, workload management and identify youngsters coming through their system. While it is expected to cover players at all levels, it will also help coaches and the support staff to assess the information better and come up with strategies to better performances.

When Simon Willis arrived in Sri Lanka, there were nine players out due to muscle tear injuries, and through the management system that has helped them regulate workloads and recovery period, the injury list has come down to only two at the moment. "The player workload going forward for Sri Lanka's cricketers is massive, the fixtures over the next 18 months is huge. We need our best players available for the biggest tournaments. It has helped us not just understand players better but also better predict when to rest a certain player," Willis added.

Each player has their own GPS device that is worn on their back throughout match and training sessions - which is a first in cricket - and helps the support staff individualise player profiles, like monitoring the intensity levels, time spent sprinting, moving around the field, etc. The GPS technology has been brought from Barcelona through Nic Pothas, who had first pitched the idea to enhance the fielding standards in the team.

"When the President took over, he asked me, 'Are we ready to compete with the world? We need to invest in our resources to have the technology in place and have people with necessary competencies in the system.' Nick Lee, trainer, and Willis, have worked elaborately to finally get this system," Ashley de Silva, SLC CEO, said.

Willis, who was mentored by the late Bob Woolmer at Kent, lauded him for being the forward-thinking coach, and believes his ideas are now seeing the light of the day. Willis highlighted that there is a need to provide all the information available to the coaches and players, and empower them to then take the best decision as per their judgement. "There isn't one way to do everything. One formula doesn't work for everyone and it is to customise data for players and management to get the best out of everyone. Hopefully what we have created, brings in a no-excuse culture. We've got everything on the table that allows the coaches and players to do the jobs to the best of their possibilities."

© Cricbuzz

TAGS