Application of a Parallel Chain Platform to Provide Catching Practice in Cricket

Abstract

In the game of Cricket, there have been myriads of instances when dropped catches have resulted in lost matches. Catching requires great concentration, agility, hand-eye coordination and sure-handedness. Knowledge of good catching techniques alone does not suffice, ample practice is required to master the art of catching and building up confidence. Also, a rise in the number of unorthodox shots played by the batsmen in recent times has necessitated the requirement for a better and adaptable catching practice equipment.

This paper presents the application of robotics for providing a robust catching practice to the players. A redundantly actuated 2-DOF 3-UPS Parallel Chain Platform has been proposed for imparting catching practice drills to cricketers. This paper is an extension of the work presented by authors [1]. The basic idea is to swerve a ball shot from a Ball Shooting Machine onto the platform, in a random or pre-calculated direction by changing the orientation of the platform as the ball hits it. As compared to the presently available equipment, this equipment provides greater versatility and an increased degree of realism. We have formulated a methodology to provide practice drills for three types of catches, namely high catches, flat catches and reaction catches.