TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a training device, method and system that a person may use to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch. In particular the invention is described with reference to an elongate flexible member used as visual target zone indicator, and the use of same in a visual recording system to analyse the length bowled.

BACKGROUND

Cricket, in its various forms, is played on a field that includes a cricket pitch typically 22 yards (about 20 metres) long, located generally in the centre of the field. Three stumps are erected at opposing ends of the pitch, and two bails rest on top of each set of stumps. A batsman, when facing balls bowled by the fielding team, must protect his wicket, namely the stumps positioned immediately behind him using either his bat and/or his body.

Runs are scored when the ball, having been hit by the batsman, either reaches or clears the boundary of the playing field. A "run" may also be scored when the batsman and his partner at the non-striker's end each safely move from the end of the pitch at which they were stationed to the opposing end of the pitch. There is variety of ways a batsman can be given out.

When a bowler from the fielding team is delivering a bowled ball to a batsman, if the wicket is "broken" by the ball, i.e. at least one of the bails is dislodged due to the ball striking one or more of the stumps or bails then the batsman will usually be given out. Therefore, it is often desirous that the bowler can bowl the ball such that it will hit the stumps. Further, the ability to bowl the ball such that it will pitch below the batsman's bat and subsequently hit a lower portion of the stumps, commonly referred to as a "yorker", is highly desired.

As such the "line and length" of the bowled ball's delivery is important. The "line" in simple terms is a measure of how far to the left or right the ball is travelling, compared to a line drawn straight down the pitch. Whereas the "length" of a delivery is how far down the pitch towards the batsman the ball bounces. It is typically described as being either "short" (bouncing closer to the bowler), "long or full" (bouncing nearer the batsman), or a "good length" (an optimal length, somewhere in between). "Line" controls how much room the batsman has to play various shots, and sometimes dictates what shot he must play, and can be used strategically to restrict run scoring.

"Length" of a delivered ball controls how high the ball rises from the pitch as it reaches the batsman's stance position. A ball pitched too short rises high and loses some of its pace, making it easier to hit. A ball pitched too long does not have time to deviate horizontally in its flight, also making it easier for the batsman to hit. A "good length" ball is a compromise between these two, bouncing far enough from the batsman for lateral deviation to be significant, but not so far that he can react easily to hit it. Basically, a good length is the ball that the batsman finds hard to decide to go forward or back to play it, and doubt leads to mistakes. However, bowlers will vary the length of delivered balls, in order to upset the rhythm of a batsman.

When a person first learns to bowl, it is important that he/she is able to master a "good length" delivery. With practice and experience a bowler can then master the variety of desired lengths. One of the problems is that when first learning how to bowl, and due to the length of the pitch, it is difficult for an inexperienced bowler to judge from a distance of about 20 metres away, exactly where to place the ball to bounce for a good length.

There are a number of prior art training devices aids. Firstly it is known to place one or more markers typically made of plastic on the pitch at the area at which the bowler may wish to bounce the ball. Typically the marker is placed on the training pitch in front of the stumps at the required distance. If the bowler aims at the markers and he can hit them, then he knows he is placing the ball at the intended bounce position. The problem with this is that whilst hitting the markers means that the bowler has achieved the desired length, by hitting the marker the ball will deviate from its direction of travel. When the markers are hit by the ball it is necessary to reposition the markers, and generally this method is used by more experienced bowlers for targeted deliveries, rather than beginners.

There is also a cricket training device disclosed in GB 2355207 (Barker). The device comprises an elongate locating member adapted to be placed either side of the stumps and a slidable target is mounted on the locating member. The target can be moved selectively laterally relative to the stumps, and acts as a target. This device is for primarily for practicing a leg break or off break delivery ie it sets up a target for the line of the delivery. As the target is placed substantially in line with the stumps, it cannot be used to primarily practice and improve the length of bowled deliveries. To use such a device the bowler must have mastered length, and is now using such target to properly deliver line and length to achieve a leg break or off break delivery.

Another known method is to place a "bowling target" in the form of a mat on the cricket training pitch. The mat is intended to provide a target on the pitch in the intended zone a bowler should bounce the ball. It may move during use, particularly if it is lightweight, and may require constant checking to make sure it is in the right position, and it may also alter the natural bounce of the ball. Some of these targets are sizeable in width and typically have dimensions of about 1 metre x 1.5 metre. There are also artificial "cricket mats" that are used to form the actual "pitch" for training purposes and for games in gardens, schools and the like where a conventional grass pitch is not available. These cricket mats may have a "target zone" printed on them for practicing bowling for both line and length. However, such cricket mats are made to between about 2-3 metres in width, and have considerable weight to be durable and therefore are quite expensive. Some weigh as much as 45 kg when stored. These mats actually form the pitch, and are not suited for use by an individual bowler who wants ready portability of a training device that can quickly be set up (and removed) for use with an existing pitch or training pitch.

Furthermore where the bowler is practicing with a batsman, the appearance of a "target zone" immediately in front of the batsman on the pitch may be detrimental to the batsman's view of the oncoming delivery.

There is also a prior art cricket training computer system known as "Pitch Vision" that can be used for analysis of cricket bowling and batting responses. It can read the movement of a ball, and in particular speed, deviation, pitch and bounce. This system relies on sensors either disposed in a "sensor mat" placed on a training pitch, or disposed under the surface of a training pitch, which are used to record the location of bounce by the ball and can be used to analyse the bowler's "line and length" instantaneously. Even the cheaper version, namely the one utilising a "sensor mat" is a relatively expensive option, and requires considerable set-up and equipment.

All of the known devices used for practicing length of delivered balls are mats or targets placed on the pitch or form part of a pitch, which are themselves targets ie they are placed on the "intended bounce target zone" on the pitch or are used as practice pitch. There is no prior art device that is intended solely for practicing length of bowled deliveries, that is itself not the target, but provides a ready way of bowlers of all levels and their coaches to get a visual indication of the length bowled. In the prior art, there is also known a number of video systems that can be used to track balls during a game of cricket. WO 2001/41884 (Roke Manor Research Limited) discloses a video processing system that relies on utilising at least four video cameras connected to a video processor and data store to record "ball image data" and predict the ball flight-path. Due to its complexity and number of cameras required, is primarily used in a game of cricket, for predicting ball-flight path to Leg Before Wicket decisions. Similarly GB2361370 (Plaskett) discloses a method for analysing the movement of an object, and in particular a cricket ball in order to extrapolate the movement of a ball, and has particular use for predicting ball-flight path for assisting umpires judging Leg Before Wicket decisions. The systems and methods disclosed in these prior art documents, are costly and require considerable hardware thus making them suitable only for use in the umpiring of first class cricket. They are not accessible and usable for training purposes to the wider community of cricket bowlers, and particularly those at lower and junior levels seeking to improve the length of their bowled deliveries.

The present invention seeks to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, by providing a training device, method and system that a person may use to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect the present invention consists in a training device that a person may use to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch, said cricket ball being bowled from a first end of said pitch to a second end thereof, wherein said device comprising an elongate sheet material having a width substantially smaller than the width of a cricket pitch and a length zone indicator disposed on the upper surface of said sheet material and having a reference end and an opposed end, wherein when in use said sheet material is placed on the ground surface to extend longitudinally adjacent and offset to the intended bounce zone on said pitch, said reference end of said sheet material is aligned with a crease of said pitch near said second end, and said length zone indicator being dimensioned to be visible from saidfirst end by the person bowling said cricket ball at the intended bounce zone.

Preferably said length zone indicator is made up of a plurality of elongate different coloured zones disposed end to end to each other, and each of said coloured zones substantially span the width of said sheet material.

Preferably said plurality of elongate different coloured zones are at least three coloured zones, each zone indicating respective full, good and short deliveries.

Preferably said sheet material is made of flexible material that may be rolled up for storage and/or transport. Preferably said device is at has a length of 2.6 metres to 6 metres long, less than 0.5 metres wide and less than 2mm thick.

Preferably said training is made of a material weighing 2000 gsm.

Preferably said device is about 5.6 metres long, about 180 mm wide and about 1.7 mm thick.

Preferably in another embodiment said device is about 3.6 metres long, about 180 mm wide and about 1.7 mm thick.

Preferably in another embodiment said device is about 2.65 metres long, about 180 mm wide and about 1.7 mm thick.

Preferably said training device is used in combination with a single portable computing device with a video camera for recording and analysing the length of said bowled ball on said intended bounce zone, said portable computing device having a visual display allowing a person to use same when said camera is pointing down said pitch, so that said training device being viewed via said visual display is used as a visual reference for said person to calibrate said intended bounce zone as the active zone in which the length of said bowled ball will be recorded. According to a second aspect the present invention consists in a visual display in the form of an elongate flexible member made of sheet material having the dual purpose of advertising and a cricket training aid that a person may use to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch, wherein said flexible member having a reference end and an opposed end and a width substantially narrower than the width of a cricket pitch, and a length zone indicator and indicia disposed on the upper surface of said flexible member, and said length zone indicator is made up of at least three elongate different coloured zones disposed end to end to each other and each coloured zone substantially spans the width of said sheet material, with these zones indicating full, good and short ball deliveries, and when in use said flexible member is placed on the ground surface to extend longitudinally adjacent and offset to the intended bounce zone on said pitch with said reference end of said flexible member aligned with a crease of said pitch, and said length zone indicator being dimensioned to be visible from the first end by the person bowling said cricket ball.

Preferably said display is has a length of 2.6 metres to 6 metres long, about 180 mm wide and about 1.7 mm thick. According to a third aspect the present invention consists in a method in which a bowler practices the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch, comprising:

(i) laying out an elongate thin flexible member having a length zone indicator on its upper surface and a width substantially smaller than the width of a cricket pitch, so that it is substantially flush with the ground surface adjacent and offset to the intended bounce zone on said pitch, said target zone indicator is made up of at least three elongate different coloured zones disposed end to end to each other and each coloured zone substantially spans the width of said sheet material and dimensioned so that they may be visible from the bowler's end of said cricket pitch; and

(ii) said bowler using said length zone indicator as a visual reference when bowling said cricket ball to estimate placement of same to bounce in said intended bounce zone.

According to a fourth aspect the present invention consists in a method by which a user may record and analyse the length of a bowled cricket ball bounced on an intended bounce zone on a cricket pitch, said method comprising:

(i) said user utilising a thin sheet material having a width substantially narrower than said pitch placed substantially flush with the ground surface adjacent and offset to said cricket pitch as a visual reference to said intended bounce zone;

(ii) setting up a single camera integrally disposed within a computing device or wirelessly connected thereto at the bowler's end of said pitch in a stationary position, so that said camera is pointing down said pitch towards the opposite end thereof with said intended bounce zone within its field of view;

(iii) said user via a visual display associated with said computing device and with the aid of said elongate visual indicator as the visual reference calibrates said field of view so that only said intended bounce zone becomes an active zone in which the length of said bowled ball will be recorded; and

wherein when subsequent to set up of said active zone, said user bowls said cricket ball down said pitch, said portable computing device via said camera is able to collect data relating to trajectory and bounce impact point of said ball and store them in a database within said portable computing device.

Preferably said portable computing device via said camera is able to collect said data relating to trajectory and bounce impact point of said ball by tracking the pixel colour change as the bowled ball enters and leaves said active zone in the field view of said camera.

Preferably said elongate zone indicator is made up of a plurality of elongate different coloured zones disposed end to end to each other, and each of said coloured zones substantially span the width of said sheet material.

According to a fifth aspect the present invention consists in a length zone indicator for placement adjacent and offset to a cricket pitch and visible from the first end by a person bowling a cricket ball, said indicator disposed on the upper surface of an elongate flexible member made of sheet material having a reference end and an opposed end, wherein said indicator comprising at least three elongate different coloured zones disposed end to end to each other and each coloured zone substantially spans the width of said flexible member, and said flexible material has a length of 2.6 metres to 6 metres long, less than 200 mm wide and between 1.5 mm and 2 mm thick, and wherein in use said reference end of said flexible member is aligned with a crease of said pitch, and said indicator is a visual reference when a user bowls a cricket ball to estimate placement of same to bounce in an intended bounce zone on said pitch. According to a sixth aspect the present invention consists in a system to allow a user to record and analyse the length of a bowled cricket ball bounced on an intended bounce zone on a cricket pitch, said system comprising:

(i) an elongate visual indicator for placement substantially flush with the ground surface adjacent and offset to said cricket pitch as a visual reference to said intended bounce zone, said elongate visual indicator comprising an elongate flexible member made of sheet material and at least three elongate different coloured zones disposed on its upper surface end to end to each other and each coloured zone substantially spans the width of said flexible member, and said flexible material has a length of 2.6 metres to 6 metres long, and less than 200 mm wide; (ii) a single camera integrally disposed within or wirelessly connected to a portable computing device; and

wherein said camera is set up at the bowler's end of said pitch in a stationary position, so that said camera is pointing down said pitch towards the opposite end thereof with said intended bounce zone within its field of view, and said camera subsequent to calibration of active zone in its field of view by referencing said elongate visual indicator, is able to collect and store data in a database within said portable computing device, said data in at least part relating to trajectory and bounce impact point of said ball by tracking the pixel colour change as the bowled ball enters and leaves said active zone in the field view of said camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the training device of the present invention being used by a bowler to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the training device being used by a bowler to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch, shown in Fig 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the training device shown in Fig 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the training device shown in Fig 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation view of a portion of the training device shown in Fig 1, in rolled up configuration.

Fig 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a carry case for storing and transporting the training device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the training device shown in Fig 1, being used by a bowler to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch, along with a secondary training device for spin bowling use.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a training device of the present invention, being used by a bowler to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball on a cricket pitch. Fig. 9 is depicts a system of the present invention, incorporating the training device of Fig. 1, with a smartphone capable of video recordal.

Fig. 10 is schematic view of the "field of view" down the pitch towards the stumps by the smartphone shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 1 la and 1 lb depict perspective views of the carry case being used as the base for stand and cradle for supporting smartphone as shown Fig 9, in respective assembled and disassembled configurations.

Fig. 12 depicts a perspective view of the smartphone shown Fig. 9, alternatively supported by training stumps. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the present specification the term "cricket pitch" is meant to include within its meaning the central strip of a cricket field between the wickets used for playing the various forms of cricket, and a training pitch (either outdoors or indoors) used for cricket training and practice thereof. A standard cricket pitch is 20.12 metres (22 yards) long and 3.05 metres (10ft) wide. Figs. 1 to 6 depict a first embodiment of a training device 1 for use by a person 10, referred to as a "bowler", to practice the length of a bowled cricket ball 11 on a cricket pitch 20. The intended ball 11 to be bowled from a first end 21 of cricket pitch 20, to a second end 22 at which stumps 23 are located. A popping crease line 24, typically about 1.22 metres from stumps 23 is shown. Training device 1 preferably comprises of an "elongate flexible member" made of an elastomeric sheet material. A training device 1 suited for use by adults is preferably no longer than 6 metres long, 150mm- 200mm wide and has a thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm. More preferably it is about 5.6 metres long, about 180 mm wide and about 1.7mm thick. As such, training device 1 has a width that is substantially narrower than the standard width of a cricket pitch. Training device 1 has a reference end 2, opposed end 3 and an upper surface 4. It has at least one visual indicator 5 disposed on upper surface 4, which in its simplest form is a segment of "bright colour" different to the colour of the "elongate member" training device 1.

Visual indicator 5 is preferably painted or affixed to the elongate flexible member of training device 1. Visual indicator 5, has four, preferably different and contrasting coloured zones in end to end relationship with each coloured zone preferably extending across the full width of indicator 5. A first zone 5 _Y identifying "yorker" (or full toss) length, a second zone 5 _F identifying "full length", a third zone 5G identifying a "good length" and a fourth zone 5s identifying a "short length". In this embodiment, first zone 5γ extends for a length of one metre from reference end 2. Adjacent thereto second zone 5p extends for a length of two metres, then adjacent thereto third zone 5G extends for a length of two metres, and finally zone 5s extends for a length of six hundred millimetres. In Fig. 4 the various lines and block colouring are to denote different areas of colour in each zone. In this embodiment the colours for the zones may be yellow for "yorker" first zone 5γ, red for "full length" second zone 5F, white for "good length" third zone 5 _¾ and blue for "short" fourth zone 5γ.

In use, training device 1 is laid out at or near the periphery of cricket pitch 20, as shown in Figs, land 2, so that its longitudinal axis L _D , is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L _P of cricket pitch 20. Reference end 2 preferably has a straight edge, which can be aligned with popping crease 24. When training device 1 is laid, its upper surface 4 is substantially horizontal and flush to the ground.

In this embodiment the visual indicator 5 is used as a "length zone indicator" to define a length of an intended bounce zone (target) 25 on pitch 20, such as "good" (zone 5G), "full" (zone 5p) or "yorker" (zone 5γ). This allows a bowler 10 in training to visually identify where on pitch 20 he must bounce the ball to achieve the desired length. Zone 5s will be used as an indicator zone should the bowler wish to bowl short, but close to a "good length" delivery. It should be understood that training device 1 is not laid on intended bounce zone (or target) 25, but rather it is laid adjacent and offset thereto. As such in training or practice, bowler 10 is using visual indicator 5 (the length zone indicator) of training device 1 as guide to the length of the intended bounce zone 25, and not as a target itself.

Visual indicator 5 to act as a "length zone indicator" should be dimensioned to be visible from first end 21 by bowler 10 bowling cricket ball 11. In this embodiment, the overall length of the adult sized training device 1 is preferably 5.6 metres long, and its width is about 180mm. As visual indicator 5 is preferably made up of four distinctly and brightly coloured zones, identified earlier as 5γ, 5F, 5G and 5s, bowler 10 can readily see where ball 11 has bounced within intended bounce zone 25, and if necessary adjust for future balls being delivered. If ball 11 that has been bowled and bounces before zone 5s _, it would be considered "very short". Whilst the abovementioned preferred embodiment of indicator 5 uses four different and contrasting coloured zones, it is possible to use just two distinctly contrasting zones so that each zone is readily differentiated from one another.

Where the elastomeric sheet material used for training device is about 2000 grams per square metre, the weight of such training device 1 being 5.6 metres long and 180 mm wide would be just over 2 kg. This size and weight makes training device 1 heavy enough to not require anchoring to the ground, and as it is a flexible elongate member, it is readily rolled up, as shown in Fig. 5, for storage and portability. In one arrangement, as shown in Fig. 6 training device lcarrying visual indicator 5, may be wound onto a spool (not shown) of a portable carry case 12 having a carry handle 16. This allows for rolling up of visual indicator 5 using rotary handle 14, when device 1 is not in use.

Training device 1 and carry case 12 may have indicia in the form of a logo 15a, 15b disposed thereon. Such indicia may be used for promotional purposes and advertising.

As shown in Fig. 7 a secondary training device la, could be used in conjunction with

"primary" training device 1 to provide spin zone indicator 5SP _. Secondary training device la would be made of similar material to that of training device 1, but of shorter length. It would may be laid on the other side of pitch 20, adjacent and offset thereto in a similar fashion to training device 1. This secondary training device la, would represent a single "good spin zone" and preferably be about 2 metres long, 180mm wide and 1.7mm thick. It should be understood that secondary device la does not need be used on the opposite side of the pitch 20, but could be used on the same side as "primary" training device 1. Furthermore, it could be used by itself.

As an alternative, visual indicator 5 of training device 1, may have a different number of zones to that shown in the first embodiment. For example, in a second embodiment shown in Fig. 8, there may be a single brightly coloured zone marked as 5χίη between two other zones.

Coloured zone 5χ indicates a "good to full" length, making it easy for juniors and beginners to train with, and concentrate on one zone.

A junior or beginner version of training device 1, whilst maintaining the width and thickness of the adult version, may preferably be shorter in length. In one junior embodiment, it may be about about 3.6 metres in length, and its four zones may be a yellow "yorker" first zone 5γ of five hundred millimetres length, red "full length" second zone 5pof one metre, white "good length" third zone 5G of fifteen hundred millimetres, and blue "short" fourth zone 5Y of six hundred millimetres.

In another junior embodiment (not shown) suited to children aged about five to eight years, a training device 1 may have only three zones ( full length, good and short), similar to that shown in Fig 8, and be only about 2.65 metres in length. Its three zones may for example have a red "full length" zone of eight hundred and fifty millimetres metre, white "good length" zone of thirteen hundred millimetres, and blue "short" zone of five hundred millimetres.

Alternatively, in a further not shown third embodiment, training device 1 may have just two zones brightly coloured, to indicated "good" and "full".

In another alternative not shown embodiment, primary training device 1 may also have a "spin zone" incorporated with other zones.

Whilst in the abovementioned embodiment training device 1,1a is about 1.7 mm thick, it should be understood that it could be made of thicker elastomeric sheet material, however in order to keep the weight down, and to ensure it has a low profile, it is desirous to keep it to no more than 2.5 mm thick.

The advantages training device 1 has, is as follows:

• the elongate flexible member of between about 3.5 metres and 6 metres in length

means it is easily rolled out "adjacent and offset" to cricket pitch 20 and aligned by its reference end 2 with crease 24;

• the width of about 180mm is wide enough for the different coloured zones to be

visible from the bowler's end whilst still being significantly narrower than pitch 20, thus making it ideal for use with both standard cricket pitches and training pitches disposed inside netted areas;

• The use of end to end elongate coloured zones 5 means a visual indication of length of a bowled delivery is easily observed.

• It does not act as a "target" disposed on pitch 20, but rather as a length indicator

"adjacent and offset" to the intended bounce zone on pitch 20. Thus training device does not interfere with bounce on pitch 20, and the likelihood of it being struck and dislodged during bowling training is minimized. Furthermore when balls are being bowled in training at a batsman, training device 1 has a minimal impact on the batsman's view of the ball as it is not on pitch 20;

• Its weight means it is readily portable and easily handled by an individual.

Additionally small markers (or discs) may be used by a bowler or a coach/assistant to mark where lengthwise the ball bounced after the ball has been bowled. This will then enable an "App" on a smartphone to detect where these markers are in relation to training device 1,1a, to show in a graph/chart, which will allow a user to see their statistics.

Training device 1 of the abovementioned first embodiment can be used as part of a system 50 and method of a fourth embodiment as shown in Figs. 9 to 12 to record and analyse the location of the length of the bowled ball. In such a system 50, a portable computing device 30 preferably having a single integral video camera would be used to record and analyse the length of the ball bowled, and training device 1 could be used as the reference for the length being analysed. In this embodiment portable computing device 30 is a "smartphone" with a single integral video camera 33. In the present specification the term "smartphone" is meant to include within its meaning a mobile phone with an advanced mobile operating system. Most smartphones have a touch screen interface, can run third party software applications (or apps) and have at least one video camera integral therewith.

Smartphone 30 is mounted to a collapsible stand 31 via cradle 34, at the bowler's end. As can be seen in Figs 9 and 11a, stand 31 utilises carry case 12 as its base. Smartphone 30 would be provided with a software application (software app) that is capable of recording the location of a ball bounce position relative to visual zone indicator 5 of training device 1.

A user, such as person 10, or a not shown coach, would set up the system as follows.

• Training device 1 would be laid adjacent and offset to pitch 20, in a similar fashion to the first embodiment, with reference end 2 aligned with popping crease 24. · With the "software app" in operation, smartphone 30 is mounted on stand 31 with the lens of its camera 33 pointing down the centre (longitudinal axis L _P ) of pitch 20. So that stumps 23 appear in the centre of its field view as viewed on the visual display screen 35 of smartphone 30.

• Person 10 would then calibrate the digital overlay on the video image on screen 35 to identify bounds of pitch 20. A "trapezoidal" digital overlay graphic is used to move four points (or vectors) to align with outer boundaries of pitch 20, and set up a "view perspective".

• User 10 then would adjust two horizontal lines 37 appearing on screen 35 to line up with the reference end 2 and opposed end 3 of training device 1.

• The "band" between the two horizontal lines 37 becomes the "active zone', of the digital image being viewed, with any pixels outside the active zone becoming locked. This "active zone" is the intended bounce target zone 25 described in the first embodiment.

• When a ball 11 is now bowled down pitch 20 towards stumps 23, an algorithm in the software app in smartphone 30, is able to track the pixel colour change as the ball enters and leaves the "active zone".

• Using an algorithm to identify impact point from bounce of ball, the software app is able to determine impact distance on the "virtual image" of pitch 20.

• Data can be stored in a database and used to map impact points (not shown) on a plan view graphic after the bowling session to identify zones or areas of "ball impact".

• The software app may also provide the functionality to allow a person 10 to identify the impact zone of the last bowled delivery.

Please note that during set-up the height of smartphone 30 is not critical. The calibration as abovementioned identifies the perspective, and as such allows the software app to compensate for height.

The length of training device 1, which in this embodiment (for adults) is about 5.6 metres, is a fixed entity in system 50. Both training device 1 and the pitch target zone 25, due to the perspective down the pitch 20, appear trapezoidal in shape. By aligning the calibration trapezoid graphic the software app is able to determine accurate distance and depth of field.

It should be understood that training device 1 is not only used to set up the "active zone", but the highly visible coloured zones of indicator 5, can be used to identify the zones of the ball's impact for the plan view graphic, when viewing the recorded data.

Whilst a conventional red cricket ball should provide sufficient contrast to track pixel change, a cricket ball of some other high contrast colour may be used. In this fourth embodiment, whilst computing device 30 is a "smartphone", other small portable computing devices with integral cameras could be used, such as for example a computer tablet. Alternatively a separate camera could be used mounted to stand 31, that is in "wireless communication" with a computer, smartphone or tablet having a viewing screen. Such an arrangement may be suitable for use by a bowling coach.

It should be understood that smartphone 30 (or a not shown camera wirelessly connected thereto or other computing device) need not be supported in stationary manner by stand 31 , but may be supported by some other stationary support means. For example, as shown in Fig 12, smartphone 30 is shown attached to training stumps 26 by a cradle support 34a. It should be understood, that training devices 1,1a of first embodiment provides a relatively inexpensive method of bowler training, thus making it readily accessible to all levels of cricket, and in particular to cricketers in schools and community clubs. Furthermore, as the video recording system 50 does not require external sensors, and relies on a "single camera" in a commonly available and used portable computing device, such as a smartphone 30 and a downloadable software app, it too is far more accessible and easier to set up than the prior art using systems that require sensors be disposed on or below the pitch, or multiple cameras and substantive hardware to track the flight of a ball.

The advantage system 50 has over the prior art "leg before wicket" video systems in

WO 2001/41884 (Roke Manor Research Limited) and GB2361370 (Plaskett), is that a single video camera can be used, and in combination with a training device 1, used to identify the zones of the ball's impact (it's bounced length) for a plan view graphic. The readily inexpensive nature of the hardware required, means that the device, method and video system of the present invention for practicing the length of a bowled cricket ball, is ideal for use in a sponsorship or promotional gift arrangement by companies and organisations associated with at all levels of cricket.

Training device 1,1a described in the abovementioned embodiments is ideal for use as a "visual display" which because it can carry a logo or other indicia (information), can be used for the dual purpose of advertising and a cricket training aid.

The terms "comprising" and "including" (and their grammatical variations) as used herein are used in an inclusive sense and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.