This guide explains the features of the Play Control panel, a central part of the scoring interface that is continuously updated with the current state of play.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to view a video summary of the functions described in this guide.
Play Control Panel Layout and Options
The Play Control panel (View > Scoring Entry > Play Control) is typically located in the upper-left corner of the NV Play Cricket for Windows interface when using a default Scoring view (View > Scoring - Default or View > Scoring - All Coding).
This panel is divided into sections that are used to record and display information while you score a match. These sections are:
Batting Information
The left (batting) side of the Play Control panel:
- Displays Striker and Non-Striker names, which can be changed using the dropdowns.
- Contains a Swap Batters button that switches the batters and an Edit Batting Order button that can be used to change the team batting order during play.
- Contains a This Over section below the batter names, which shows deliveries in a linear view. Dot balls can be displayed as zeros for clarity (set under Tools > Configuration > Scoring).
- Includes a partnership stats (P/S) area in the centre that shows runs, balls, fours, sixes, and boundaries for the current pair.
Bowling Information
The right (bowling) side of the Play Control panel:
- Shows the current Bowler, with a dropdown to select a different player.
- Displays overs, maidens, runs, and wickets.
- Includes the toggle buttons Keeper Up and Around the Wicket. These are logged for every delivery while active and shown in yellow.
Over/Ball Section
This area of the Play Control panel:
- Shows which delivery is next. An asterisk (*) indicates an unrecorded ball.
- Previous deliveries can be selected via dropdowns.
- To return to live scoring, click the highlighted Start Ball button.
Editing and Correcting
The following functions are available for editing or correcting match entries:
- Undo Ball/Over/Action: This button reverses actions in the order they were recorded.
- Edit: This button allows any delivery to be amended. Turns yellow when activated.
- Edit Over/Ball (only active in Edit mode): This button opens a menu that allows editing of timestamps or reallocation of balls (add, delete, insert, move).
Detailed information on editing is covered in a separate support video here.
Play State and Key Moments
The Play Control panel includes options that allow the match's play state to be changed as the match progresses, and for manually recording key moments:
- Play State: This dropdown is used to record breaks, interruptions, or force the end of an innings. When a selection is made, an innings note is automatically logged.
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Key Moment: This button is used to tag significant deliveries that aren't automatically flagged (e.g., milestones, fielding feats). The options available on the dialogue that opens when clicked include:
- Analysis Event (adds to analysis reports)
- Video Highlight (adds footage to highlight packages)
- Free Text for entering a freeform explanation of the event
- Add to Previous Ball, if the delivery was already scored
End Over/Umpire Signal
This button shows the following menu options when clicked:
- End Over (immediate end of over)
- Run Short, Batters Cross, Illegal Ball – affect the next delivery
- New Ball Taken, Replacement Ball, Start of Last Hour – log innings notes
See The End Over/Umpire Signal Button and Menu for more information.
Customisation and Automation Settings
To edit the visibility of the Keeper Up, Edit Over/Ball, and Key Moment buttons (collectively called the Keeper Up column) on the Play Control panel:
- Open Tools > Configuration. The Configuration dialogue opens.
- Click the Scoring tab.
- Tick or untick the Show Keeper Up/Ball Edit/Key Moment column in Play Control checkbox in the upper Scoring Options section.
- Click OK.
These buttons can also be toggled on or off by click the Settings cog icon () in the Play Control panel's top-right corner and selecting Show Keeper Up Column.
This menu also includes options for:
- Auto Start Ball: Enables automatic detection of deliveries. When on, the software automatically begins recording a ball clip as soon as scoring for a delivery begins without the need to manually click the Start Ball or Start Ball Clip buttons first.
- Auto End Ball (Runs Scored): Enables automatic detection of a completed ball with runs scored, removing the need to manually click End Ball or End Ball Clip after every delivery.
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Auto End Over: Automatically detects the end of the over. Enabling this option stops the End Over confirmation box from opening automatically, but you may need to use the Undo button to revert to the previous over if extra deliveries are needed.
Multi-Function Button (Bottom Right Corner)
The button in the bottom-right corner of the Play Control panel is used frequently, but changes name and function based on match status (e.g., record toss, start play/innings).
It appears with a yellow border when an action is required before scoring can proceed.