Physical profiling of international cricket players: an investigation between bowlers and batters.

This study aimed to develop a physical profile of international cricketers, and investigate if positional differences exist between bowlers and batters. Nineteen, international male cricketers, eleven bowlers (age 24.1 ± 5.2 years; height 179.73 ± 5.27 cm; weight 73.64 ± 6.65 kg), and eight batters (age 22.9 ± 3.8 years; height 180.25 ± 5.57 cm; weight 77.01 ± 8.99 kg) participated in this study. The physical test battery included; power, speed, strength and aerobic fitness tests. Batters demonstrated significantly higher scores for the countermovement jump (p < 0.03; ES = -1.55) and squat jump (p < 0.03; ES = -0.98). Furthermore, batters showed non-significant but small ES for faster 0-5 m (ES = 0.40) and 0-10 m (ES = 0.35) sprint times, superior hand grip strength (ES = -0.20), and higher Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test scores (ES = -0.46). Bowlers showed non-significant but small ES for faster 5 km time trials (ES = -0.51), lower bodyweight (ES = -0.42) and lower body fat percentage (ES = -0.30). However, intra-positional (i.e., seam and spin bowlers) and individual differences amongst players were observed. The physical profiles presented in this study can be used by coaches responsible for the physical development of cricket players to compare their existing data with. Furthermore, it is recommended that practitioners account for individual physical fitness profiles in addition to team profiles, to effectively design and evaluate tailored programs, with the aim of improving both physical and cricket performance.

Workload Monitoring in Team Sports: Using Elite Cricket as an Example.

Workload monitoring is used to assess athlete preparedness to ensure that they are optimally prepared for competition. Although many workload studies have been done, most are delimited to individual sport athletes and endurance athletes. There is also controversy regarding which measures and in what combinations they should be used. There is a paucity of literature on workload monitoring in team sports such as cricket. Cricket is an interesting and complex sport which has dimensions of many other sports (team and individual) and was the focus of this broad, narrative review. The review highlights the unique demands of the sport and why consideration of the sport in question is important. It further identifies that most of the workload research has been done on fast bowlers with debate surrounding optimal workloads. It calls for research in specific areas and importantly on other player positions considering their unique demands and identifies what can be used currently by practitioners in the field.

Strength and Sprint Time Changes in Response to Repeated Shuttles Between the Wickets During Batting in Cricket.

Christie CJ, Sheppard B, Goble D, Pote L, and Noakes TD. Strength and sprint time changes in response to repeated shuttles between the wickets during batting in cricket. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3056-3064, 2019-No studies have investigated the impact of repeated sprints between the wickets on lower-limb strength and sprint performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess changes in knee extensor (EXT) and flexor (FLEX) strength after repeated sprints between the wickets and to relate these to changes in sprint times. Twenty batters completed 2 conditions: one was high-volume running (HVR-twelve sprints per over) and the other, moderate-volume running (MVR-6 sprints per over) between the wickets (42 deliveries in both). Peak isokinetic torque was measured before and after each condition and sprint times were recorded. Eccentric and concentric peak torque decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at 1.05 rad·s for knee EXT in both conditions. There was an 18% (HVR) and 10% (MVR) decline in concentric and eccentric knee EXT peak torque. Peak FLEX torques were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after HVR (16.7%) but not after the MVR condition (8%). There were similar declines in eccentric FLEX peak torque. Sprint times increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the HVR condition but not in the MVR condition; sprint times in the HVR condition were compromised as early as the third over. We conclude that a high volume of runs significantly reduces muscle function in the lower limbs, partly explaining the impairment in sprint performance. However, because batters slowed as early as the third over in the HVR condition, there may be some form of strategy used in anticipation of a higher overall workload. More middle wicket practices, focusing on repeat shuttle sprints while batting, should be included in the coaching program.

Effect of expertise on pacing strategies and sprint performance in batsmen.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the absence of a known endpoint, at the beginning of repeated-sprint bouts between the wickets, affects how skilled compared to less skilled batsmen pace themselves. DESIGN: Repeated measures. METHODS: Twelve skilled and 12 less skilled batsmen completed three trials. All trials required the same number of sprints (14 shuttles, 28 runs), while only the information before each trial differed. CT: batsmen were aware of the endpoint (28 runs). UT: not informed of the exercise endpoint and were required to run on command for an indefinite period (28 runs). DT: told they were only doing 14 runs when they actually did 28 runs. Sprint times, electrical muscle activity, and ratings of perceived effort were recorded. RESULTS: Skilled batsmen were significantly faster than less skilled across all trials. Hamstring muscles activity decreased significantly over time in the skilled players during the UT, and during the CT and DT for the less skilled players. There were significant reductions in quadriceps muscles activation for the less skilled over time in all trials and in the skilled batsmen in the vastus medialis during the UT only. Perceived effort increased significantly in both groups in all trials. Skilled batsmen were fastest in the UT and less skilled fastest in the CT. CONCLUSIONS: Better batting skill facilitated improved sprint times, especially when the exact endpoint was unknown. These results suggest that less skilled players should be given more central wicket practice with uncertainty to better develop their ability to maintain their sprint performance.

Strength and Conditioning Practices of University and High School Level Cricket Coaches: A South African Context.

Pote, L and Christie, CJ. Strength and conditioning practices of University and high school level cricket coaches: a South African context. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3464-3470, 2016-Although the sport of cricket is well established, the strength and conditioning practices of cricket players are not well known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the current strength and conditioning practices that coaches implement for South African schoolboy and University level cricket players. An online survey, adapted from previous strength and conditioning questionnaires, was sent to 38 schoolboy and 12 University teams that participated in the top competitions in the country (n = 50). Of these, 24 replied indicating a response rate of 48%. Results indicated that although some forms of conditioning, workload monitoring and injury prevention were being implemented, the correct practices were not being administered. Furthermore, it was identified that most coaches had insufficient qualifications and experience to administer the correct training techniques. It was concluded that coaches require further education so that scientifically based training programs can be implemented. This was deemed particularly necessary for adolescent bowlers who are at an increased risk of injury, specifically in the lower back region.

Selected physiological and perceptual responses during a simulated limited overs century in non-elite batsmen.

Few studies have examined the impact of an increased physical demand on batting performance, especially over extended periods of play. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the physiological and perceptual responses of batsmen scoring a simulated limited overs century, and to link these to sprint times and accuracy of the impact of the ball on the bat. Seventeen male, university level cricketers, performed a batting protocol (BATEX(©)), typical of a limited overs century. The protocol consisted of six stages, each of five overs, with each stage matched to a specific phase of play. Throughout the protocol heart rate (HR), central ratings of perceived effort (RPE), sprint times and impact accuracy were recorded. HR fluctuated as a function of exercise intensity (124.16-159.61 bpm). Central RPE increased as a function of intensity and duration (11.87-16.04). Sprint times got slower over time (5.67-5.81 s), while impact accuracy improved significantly (p < .05) after stage one and then plateaued for the remainder of the protocol (64.81-57.39 mm). In conclusion, the protocol significantly impacted cardiac strain and perceptual responses negatively impacting sprint times with an improvement in batting accuracy.