Variability in movement patterns during One Day Internationals by a cricket fast bowler.

PURPOSE: The time-motion characteristics and the within-athlete variability in movement patterns were quantified for the same male fast bowler playing One Day International (ODI) cricket matches (n=12). METHODS: A number of different time motion characteristics were monitored using a portable 5-Hz global positioning system (GPS) unit (Catapult, Melbourne, Australia). RESULTS: The bowler's mean workload per ODI was 8+/-2 overs (mean+/-SD). He covered a total distance of 15.9+/-2.5 km per game; 12+/-3% or 1.9+/-0.2 km was striding (0.8+/-0.2 km) or sprinting (1.1+/-0.2 km), whereas 10.9+/-2.1 km was spent walking. One high-intensity (running, striding, or sprinting) repetition (HIR) occurred every 68+/-12 s, and the average duration of a HI effort was 2.7+/-0.1 s. The player also completed 66+/-11 sprints per game; mean sprint distance was 18+/-3 m and maximum sprinting speed 8.3+/-0.9 m.s(-1). CONCLUSIONS: The movement patterns of this fast bowler were a combination of highly intermittent activities of variable intensity on the base of approximately 16 km per game. This information provides insight for conditioning coaches to determine the physical demands and to adapt the training and recovery processes of ODI fast bowlers.

Physiological responses and bowling performance during repeated spells of medium-fast bowling.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physiological and performance responses during repeated 6-over fast-bowling spells. Six, first-class, medium-fast bowlers performed 2x6-over spells separated by 45 min of light activity. The 6-over spells were based on the Cricket Australia fast bowling skills test that is a set order of deliveries at a grid-based target. Ball speed, accuracy and full and final 5-m run-up speed were measured on each ball. Nude mass, heart rate, core temperature, capillary blood lactate, pH and glucose, perceptual measures of RPE and muscle soreness (MS) and repeated vertical jump efforts were measured prior to, during and following each spell. Results indicated no decrement (P=0.41) and small effect sizes (d<0.2) in bowling speed (125.7+/-5.1 and 125.4+/-4.5 km.h(-1)) or accuracy (40.4+/-16.1 and 41.6+/-18.0 AU) between spells 1 and 2. No differences (P=0.6-0.8) were present between spells for heart rate, core temperature, lactate, pH, glucose, RPE, MS or vertical jump. Only final 5-m run-up speed showed a large correlation with ball speed (r=0.70), while accuracy and speed were not correlated (r=0.05). In conclusion, repeated 6-over spells in well-trained bowlers results in minimal performance decrement in mild conditions (22 degrees C). As faster bowlers had faster final 5-m run-up speeds, the maintenance of high final 5-m run-up speeds might be important to maintaining bowling speed. Future research should also include a third bowling spell and warmer environmental conditions.