From gaudy diamonds to delicate crystal, cricket trophies have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. Just where the latest innovation fits in this spectrum, only time will tell.
India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will compete for a unique digital trophy at the Compaq Cup 2009 tri-series in Colombo from September 8.
Created by Hewlett-Packard, the digital trophy was the cynosure of all eyes as a beaming Harbhajan Singh held it aloft. Weighing 4.8 kg, it has a high-tech LCD (liquid crystal display) screen enclosed within the Q of the red Compaq logo, mounted on the base.
The screen will flash images like the tri-series logo, photographs, man of the match and important statistics.
After the final match, Ten Sports, the broadcasting channel, will help HP compile a 4-5 minute capsule encompassing the key moments of the tournament, which will then be transferred to the screen via a USB device.
Efforts have been made to distinguish the trophy from the other inanimate ones by personalising it and adding messages. Fans can leave messages for players or team by logging on to the website (www.compaqcup.com). The ten best messages, which will be displayed on the digital trophy.
The creators of this trophy are confident that it will remain 100 per cent efficient. "Nothing will conk off and the trophy will be just fine," said a HP spokesperson.
{{/usCountry}}The creators of this trophy are confident that it will remain 100 per cent efficient. "Nothing will conk off and the trophy will be just fine," said a HP spokesperson.
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