Hawk-Eye in Cricket: The Technology That Changed LBW Decisions
Hawk-Eye uses multiple camera angles and computer vision to track the cricket ball and predict its path. Learn how it transformed LBW reviews and what its accuracy limitations mean.
What Is Hawk-Eye?
Hawk-Eye is a computer vision system that tracks the trajectory of a moving ball using multiple high-speed cameras placed around the ground. Originally developed for tennis, it was adapted for cricket to help adjudicate LBW decisions and is now the core ball-tracking component of the DRS.
Cricket vs Tennis: How Hawk-Eye Differs
In tennis, Hawk-Eye tracks whether the ball lands in or out of bounds — a straightforward line-crossing check. In cricket, it must do far more: track the ball before it hits the pad, determine the pitch point relative to the stumps, and then predict where the ball would have continued — including modelling the effect of seam, spin, and pace.
When Hawk-Eye Was First Used in Cricket
Hawk-Eye first appeared as a broadcast tool in cricket in 2001, showing viewers the predicted ball path after LBW decisions. It became part of the official DRS system when the ICC launched reviews in 2009. Since then, its camera count and prediction models have been continuously upgraded.
The 2.6mm Accuracy Claim
Hawk-Eye's developers claim an average accuracy of 2.6mm. This is sufficiently precise for tracking where the ball pitches and hits the pad, but predictions for where the ball would have gone after impact accumulate uncertainty — which is why LBW calls that clip the edge of a stump trigger 'Umpire's Call' rather than automatic overturns.
Frequently asked questions
Was Hawk-Eye invented for cricket?
No. Hawk-Eye was originally developed by Dr Paul Hawkins for line-call decisions in tennis. It was subsequently adapted for cricket, football goal-line technology, and other sports.
Does Hawk-Eye show the exact path the ball took?
Hawk-Eye shows the ball's tracked path up to the point of impact. Beyond that (after hitting the pad), the system models the predicted trajectory — it is a projection, not a recording of what actually happened.
Why does Hawk-Eye sometimes disagree with the naked eye?
Ball spin, movement, and camera parallax mean that what appears obvious to the eye watching from behind the bowler may look different from the precise 3D model built from multiple camera angles.