A sightscreen is a large board made of wood or polycarbonate material or a large clothing sheet. It is positioned in two specific areas on the cricket ground. These positions are outside the boundary line. One sightscreen is placed behind the bowler and one behind the wicketkeeper.
The positioning of the sightscreen is with respect to the batters. When a bowler bowls, it is very important for the batter to focus on the bowler’s hand right from the time the ball is released till the time the bat contacts it. Any movement or even a hint of disturbance from the bowler’s background is a mode of distraction for the batter. Hence, the sightscreen serves as a static background for the batter to completely focus on the bowler.
Sightscreens can be of two colors – Black or White. The black colored sightscreen is used in One Day Internationals and T20s where the white hue of the ball is in contrast with the sightscreen. White sightscreens are used in test matches where the red and pink colored balls can be seen with ease.
Sightscreens can be moved as there are wheels attached to them. One might often notice the batter signaling the man controlling the sightscreen position to move it in the desired direction based on the batter’s comfort. Moreover, the batter may also ask the people near the sightscreen to vacate that zone if their movements hinder the batter’s concentration.
It is interesting to note that considering how sensitive the sightscreen is for the batter, it is within the laws of the game to place a fielder behind the umpire. Though not considered in the spirit of the game, such a tactic has been employed by many teams in the past. However, if a fielder is placed there, it is important for him to be steady till the ball has reached the batter; else the bowling side will be penalized.
In modern times sightscreens also serve as a mode of advertising. Various sponsors display their digital ads in between the overs on sightscreens. Thus, sightscreens are mandatory for cricket both in terms of sporting ease and commercial gains.
