Purchasing a new cricket scoreboard can be a daunting process, especially if you have never bought one before. We’ve put together a handy guide to help simplify the process and ensure you select the right scoreboard for your club and budget.
When deciding on a suitable scoreboard we recommend the following 4 steps:
STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR SCOREBOARD DIGIT SIZE
It’s really important to identify the right digit size for your scoreboard so it is clearly visible from your grandstands and/or spectator viewing areas.
Start by using our digit viewing distance chart to calculate how far away your spectators will be from the scoreboard location. For example, if your spectators are 100 metres away, you should use 300mm as the smallest digit height.
Google Earth is a nifty tool to zoom in on your sporting ground and measure the distance from your spectators to your scoreboard location.
STEP TWO: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CRICKET SCOREBOARD
LED SCOREBOARDS
LED or Video scoreboards have become a really popular and affordable option for sporting clubs. They allow you to display your scores, time, players and team names in flexible layouts. They can also display sponsor ads and show video.
LED Scoreboard features you should look for:
- Scoring software that works for Cricket! Most software developers who have never played or seen Cricket are “stumped”. AusSports GameChanger software is written in Australia for Australian cricketers.
- Check whether the software works with MyCricket (or the MyCricket replacement PlayHQ)
- Reliable wireless communication via a quality laptop controller
- Do you need to support live video? If so you would need an optional video processor.
- LED screens are more expensive than fixed LED scoreboards BUT you can factor in increased club revenue from sponsor advertising. They help pay for your scoreboard or provide additional value for your current sponsors!
- LED screens come in a variety of pixel pitches – essentially this means different resolutions. Resolution matters when you up close to the board. Make sure the supplier takes you through what P16, P10 and P6 Screen means for you.
- These screens are made up of individual cabinets that can be bolted together. Thus almost any size screen can be built. Experienced suppliers, like AusSport, will know the standard sizes that work well. They will also help you with the design if you need a custom screen size.
For AusSport the pricing of an LED or Video Scoreboard starts from around $17000 + GST for DIY models
FIXED LED CRICKET SCOREBOARDS
Fixed LED Cricket Scoreboards come in a range of sizes and with features to suit every budget. From simple, low-budget LED clock and scores, to large high-resolution displays. You can also integrate your existing timing or scoring software, using a MyCricket integration if the supplier has one. Often this type of scoreboard is adapted to integrate football scoring software.
The main limitation of these boards is they can only display numbers and in some cases letters. However they do cost less than the Video board and in the smaller sizes can be used with a battery pack on a mobile trolley.
Other than size and colour of digits the other important decision is how many digits.
It can be useful sometimes to add a clock or timer. (if you share with football this is likely to be mandatory)
You and your Club will want the board to look good so the ability to add team logos is really important.
Here are some examples of AusSports fixed LED Scoreboards.
CK-9D FIXED LED SCOREBOARDS
A very popular fixed LED cricket scoreboard is the CK-9D range. A 9 digit board is effectively the minimum to show a Cricket score. This gets you the number of wickets, runs, overs and what the chasing runs are.
Features include:
- Displays wickets, overs, runs and chasing (previous innings + 1)
- You can add an optional game timer/time of day clock
- Includes easy-to-use handheld wireless controller as standard
- Custom printing including club/sponsor logo
- Super bright LEDs
- Fully sealed against the weather
- Rugged design to withstand Australian conditions
Frame Size (approx.) for scores only model
1200mm Wide x 1200mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $6000+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
2400mm Wide x 1200mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $8400+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
3000mm Wide x 1500mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $9800+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
3600mm Wide x 1800mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $12000+GST
CK-15D FIXED LED SCOREBOARDS
This cricket scoreboard includes all the features of the CK-9D plus 2 batsman run tallies.
- 2 Batsman run tallies
- Displays wickets, overs, runs and chasing (previous innings + 1)
- You can add an optional game timer/time of day clock
- Includes easy-to-use handheld wireless controller as standard
- Custom printing including club/sponsor logo
- Super bright LEDs
- Fully sealed against the weather
- Rugged design to withstand Australian conditions
Frame Size (approx.) for scores only model
2400mm Wide x 1200mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $7800+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
3600mm Wide x 1900mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $11000+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
4800mm Wide x 2250mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $13700+GST
CK-15D-TN FIXED LED SCOREBOARDS
This cricket scoreboard includes all the features of the CK-15D plus electronic batsman names which provides for 8-10 characters of text.
- 2 Batsman run tallies
Electronic batsman names with 8-20 characters of text - Displays wickets, overs, runs and chasing (previous innings + 1)
- You can add an optional game timer/time of day clock
- Includes easy-to-use handheld wireless controller as standard
- Custom printing including club/sponsor logo
- Super bright LEDs
- Fully sealed against the weather
- Rugged design to withstand Australian conditions
Frame Size (approx.) for scores only model
2400mm Wide x 1200mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $7800+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
3600mm Wide x 1900mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $11000+GST
Frame size (approx.) for scores only model
4800mm Wide x 2250mm High x 110mm Deep
Prices start from $13700+GST
STEP THREE: CHOOSE YOUR CRICKET SCOREBOARD OPTIONAL EXTRAS
There are a number of optional extras to choose from. You will have to consider these based on what you want to achieve.
Well thought out solutions from the supplier will help you get the best results.
MOBILE TROLLEY
If you choose to not permanently mount the scoreboard then a mobile trolley is important. Purpose built trolleys make it safe and easy to move and store your scoreboard. Considerations you should look for:
- Pneumatic wheels make moving the scoreboard on uneven ground easy
- Optional 12v rechargeable battery power pack tray if you do not have easy access to power.
- Powdercoated lightweight aluminium construction for ease of use and long life.
- Flat packed for freighting to save you money.
- Extension legs to ensure the scoreboard is safe in windy conditions.
12V RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
A 12v rechargeable battery power pack is an essential option if you are without a ready source of 240V power. Things to consider with a battery:
- Check that you are getting sufficient capacity for a full day’s play (at least 9 hours run time
- Make sure the battery system warns you when it is getting low – sounding alarm noise is usually best.
- Batteries are heavy so make sure it can be accommodated on the trolley securely and out of the way.
- Make sure the battery housing is weatherproof and that the charger is rugged and powerful enough to charge the battery overnight to full capacity.
PROTECTOR ROLLER SHUTTER
You may decide to protect your cricket scoreboard from extreme weather and vandalism with a roller shutter. If so then you should consider:
- Ensuring there is a support person locally. Rollershutters are simple but setting them up requires skill.
- Getting two remote controls. (and ensuring replacements can be purchased)
MY CRICKET BOX INTEGRATION
It doesn’t make sense if you have to enter match information for Cricket Australia not to also see that information up on your scoreboard.
Ideally there should be an integration to seamlessly integrate between the Cricket Australia My Cricket App and your scoreboard.
All you have to do is score in the app and it will be displayed directly to your scoreboard!
Check that whatever technology is employed it allows you to roam a reasonable distance away and not have to be tethered to one location.
STEP FOUR: SELECT EITHER A PORTABLE OR PERMANENTLY MOUNTED SCOREBOARD
You can choose to either mount your scoreboard in a permanent location or keep your scoreboard mobile for easy movement between fields.
If you choose to permanently locate your scoreboard, it is important you know your options. Will the scoreboard supplier install it for you. AusSport, for example, can certainly provide a full turn key service from start to finish.
Alternately see whether the supplier has detailed installation instructions if you would prefer to install the scoreboard yourself. You want to make sure they also understand the electrical, engineering and construction requirements to successfully install a scoreboard.
For mobile scoreboards, you can purchase a mobile trolley for safe and easy scoreboard transport.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
There is a surprising amount to know about scoreboards and in this article we have only scratched the surface.
If you’d like to know more about cricket scoreboards, or require assistance selecting the right cricket scoreboard for your club, contact the friendly AusSport Scoreboards team today. As one of the largest and best scoreboard manufacturers in Australia, we offer a great range, expert design and manufacturing, and we can customise a scoreboard to suit you.
