ESPNCricinfo , the home of cricket in the digital sphere, is celebrating 20 years of its existence, mapping a fascinating journey of a volunteer driven effort to world’s largest single sports website.
In a special feature on the website named ‘Cricinfo at 20’ , the section offers interesting reads on how ball-by-ball text commentary, which forms the nucleus of the website, was born out in addition to a cricketer’s relationship with the encyclopaedia of his occupation.
Cricinfo has pulled out some of the masterpieces from its archives including a write-up from renowned cricket writer late Peter Roebuck on the Mecca of Cricket -- The Lords.
Transcripts of an interview with England’s Fred Trueman, the first bowler to take 300 wickets in history of Test cricket, also adorns the segment.
Besides taking the cricket followers on a trip down the memory lane, Cricinfo is planning to host cricket Round Tables where in greatest cricketing personalities would debate about coverage of sport in the digital times.
“We have lots in store for our fans in our 20th year. There will be cricket Round Tables where celebrated cricketers would be invited to discuss the cricket coverage in the present time,” said Ramesh Kumar, Head of ESPNCricinfo .
An enterprise that started in the pre-World Wide Web era by Simon King in 1993, Cricinfo has become synonymous to the sport with its comprehensive coverage. From live scores and commentary, reporting on cricket matches, articles, profiles, statistics, the website has provided a wide array of information to the followers of a sport driven only by numbers.
“We have always provided quality content and analysis of cricket to the followers. Former cricketers and well known cricket writers give great insight into the sport which distinguishes us,” Kumar said.
In an attempt to connect further with its followers through social and interactive media, Cricinfo has recently launched microsite for fans and bloggers.
“Our aim is to better our product by making more interactive and user friendly content. With millions of new customers coming on digital platforms, we aim to give them a crisp and clutter-free experience,” he added.
