Sir Ian Taylor, the visionary behind Virtual Eye, has redefined the way cricket is understood and broadcasted globally. His latest innovation, affectionately dubbed “the Bumrah,” has garnered international acclaim for its ability to elucidate the complex biomechanics of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. This technological breakthrough, which was prominently showcased during last summer’s cricket season, has earned Taylor a prestigious global honor, placing him alongside luminaries like Walt Disney and Ray Dolby.
Virtual Eye, a Dunedin-based company, has been at the forefront of enhancing sports broadcasting through advanced camera technology and artificial intelligence. The company’s graphics, particularly those illustrating Bumrah’s bowling prowess, have set a new standard in sports storytelling. “Our job is to show people who are sitting on the couch why they are there and why the people they are watching are so good. We want to explain the difference,” Taylor explained.
The Evolution of Cricket Broadcasting
Cricket storytelling has evolved significantly from the days of simple radar guns measuring bowling speed. Today, with the help of Virtual Eye’s technology, broadcasters can capture 250 frames per second and analyze the 540 balls bowled in a Test match each day. This capability allows for a detailed breakdown of a bowler’s technique, offering viewers insights previously unseen.
According to Taylor, the “Bumrah illustration” has had the most significant impact. “Whenever anyone ever asks for a breakdown of a bowler, we call it a ‘Bumrah’. The detail of what we can tell has come so far,” he noted. This level of detail was praised by cricket legend Shane Warne, who appreciated the insights into how much speed is lost from delivery to bounce.
Acknowledgment and Global Recognition
In recognition of his contributions, Taylor was recently honored by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers at a ceremony in Sydney. This accolade places him among industry giants such as George Lucas and James Cameron. Taylor expressed his surprise and gratitude, saying, “I thought, ‘Oh shit. They must think I am a sucker,’” when he first heard of the honor.
His company’s insights have also contributed to the nomination of the Foxtel/Kayo Sports broadcast of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the Best Sports Coverage at the Logies. Taylor credits executives like John Evans and Fox Sports Managing Director Steve Crawley for opening doors to the broader sporting world.
“Receiving the 2025 SMPTE Progress Medal is an extraordinary honor, and it is one I accept on behalf of the remarkable team of people I have had the privilege of working alongside for the past 35 years,” Taylor stated.
Impact Across Sports and Future Innovations
Virtual Eye’s influence extends beyond cricket, detailing the dynamics in Major League Baseball, the America’s Cup, and the PGA Tour. The company’s collaboration with Fox Sports Australia has been pivotal in expanding its global recognition. Brad McNamara, executive producer of Fox Cricket, emphasized the mutual benefits of this partnership, stating, “We have gone from having one ball speed that everyone in the world used to get to a point where we are now tracking all the players in everything they do.”
The ability to provide real-time graphics has been a game-changer for broadcasters, allowing them to enhance the viewing experience significantly. “Being able to screen these graphics live, I mean, that’s the Holy Grail for broadcasters,” McNamara added.
Looking ahead, Virtual Eye is poised to introduce even more innovative coverage for the upcoming Ashes series. The company has been training its systems with thousands of hours of footage to offer viewers even more detailed insights. However, Taylor emphasizes that not every technological advance is suitable for broadcasting. “I always joke that we like to keep things simple because sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the hype around a new technology,” he remarked.
As the cricket world eagerly anticipates the Ashes series, Taylor and his team at Virtual Eye are ready to deliver another season of groundbreaking sports storytelling, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in sports broadcasting.
