Cricket Stadiums: How Covid-19 changed the viewing experience

Introduction

The Covid-19 pandemic has a profound impact on various fields. Cricket has also been affected in a unique way. We have witnessed the loss of the crowds in cricket stadiums that are typically a staple of the sport. In this article, we will explore the way covid 19 changed the viewing experience of cricket. We will focus on changes that have occurred as a result of the pandemic and it’s impact on the sport.

Silent cricket stadiums

One of the most obvious changes brought about by the pandemic is the absence of crowds from cricket stadiums. As the Governments around the world implemented strict social distancing measures. It has become impossible for large numbers of people to congregate in one place. This has resulted in cricket matches being played out in empty stadiums, with only a few officials and players in attendance. The absence of the typical raucous crowd has a noticeable impact on the atmosphere of the game. It has led to a different viewing experience for fans.

Impact on Players by vacant cricket stadiums

The absence of crowds has also an impact on the players themselves. Cricket is a sport that is heavily influenced by the atmosphere and energy of the crowd. Therefore, players required new ways to motivate themselves. Many have commented that playing in empty cricket stadiums have made the game feel less intense and more like a training session. This has led to a drop in the level of performance from some players. Because they were strugglling  to adapt to the new conditions. Additionally, players have also gone through issues while training. They were helpless to train on VR and AR technology during Covid-19.

Virtual crowds

To try and replicate the atmosphere of a live crowd, some cricket organizations have turned to the use of virtual crowds. This involves the use of pre-recorded crowd noise, which is played through speakers during the match. While this has been successful in creating a more realistic atmosphere, it is still not the same as the energy of a live crowd in cricket stadiums.

Conclusion

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a significant change in the viewing experience of cricket. The absence of crowds has had a noticeable impact on the atmosphere of the game, and players have had to adapt to the new conditions. While virtual crowds have been introduced to try and replicate the energy of a crowd in cricket stadiums. As we move forward, it remains to be seen how long it will be until we see the return of the raucous crowds that are so synonymous with the sport of cricket.