Scaling the cricket pitch to fit junior players.

Studies in several sports have shown the benefits of adapting the playing environment to fit junior players. Frequently the changes are pragmatic choices based on space constraints or existing line markings, or the result of simple scaling based on stature. In this study, a method of scaling the cricket pitch length is presented which is based on the age-specific size and performance of the bowlers and batters. The objective was a pitch length which enabled young bowlers to bowl good length deliveries while releasing the ball at a more downward angle, similar to elite bowlers. The steeper release angle has the benefit of reducing the sensitivity of the ball flight distance to the variability of ball release. Based on data from county standard under-10 and under-11 players a pitch length of 16.22 yards (14.83 m) was calculated, 19% shorter than previously recommended for under-11s in England. A shorter pitch also increases the temporal challenge for batters, encouraging a wider variety of shots and improved anticipation skills. Pitch lengths scaled in this way to fit the players' abilities as they develop will enable a more consistent ball release by bowlers and more consistent temporal demand for batters.

A shorter cricket pitch improves decision-making by junior batters.

This study sought to determine whether playing on a shorter cricket pitch would lead batters to make more appropriate decisions about whether to play front foot or back foot shots. Based on an analysis of the shots played by top order batters against seam bowling in county under-10 matches, an age-specific "good length" region between 5.0 yards and 6.5 yards (4.57 to 5.94 m) from the batters' stumps was derived. This was where batters were uncertain whether to play on the front or back foot. It was then possible to define deliveries as "short" or "full" depending upon whether they bounced further from or nearer to the batter than the good length region. Club under-11 and county under-10 match data revealed that when playing on a 16-yard pitch batters played more back foot shots to short balls, and county batters also played more front foot shots to full balls compared with matches on the currently recommended 20- or 19-yard pitches. For batters, a shorter pitch should strengthen the coupling between the perception of delivery length and appropriate shot selection, and the increased task demand should lead to improved anticipation, both key features of skilled batting.

Does shortening the pitch make junior cricketers bowl better?

In order to get bounce and movement seam bowlers need to bowl the ball "into" the pitch. Standard deliveries by elite players are typically projected at around 7° below horizontal. In contrast, young players currently often need to release the ball almost horizontally in an effort to get the ball to bounce close enough to the batter. We anticipated that shortening the pitch could be a simple way to help young bowlers to release the ball at a better angle and with more consistency. Twenty county or best in club age group under 10 and under 11 seam bowlers were analysed bowling indoors on two different pitch lengths. They were found to project the ball on average 3.4° further below horizontal on a 16 yard pitch compared with a 19 yard pitch, while ball speed and position at release changed negligibly. Pitch length did not affect the consistency of the release parameters. The shorter pitch led to a ball release angle closer to that of elite bowlers without changing release speed, and this should enable players to achieve greater success and develop more variety in their bowling.

Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma on different nails of the same hand.

Nail dyschromia, including melanonychia and erythronychia, encompasses a wide range of possible diagnoses. While the majority of these lesions are benign, malignancies of the nail unit represent a sinister, and potentially life-threatening, cause of nail dyschromia. Unfamiliarity with tumors of the nail apparatus can lead to a delay in diagnosis. A case is presented of a patient with two separate and concurrent malignant neoplasms of the nail unit, on different nails on the same hand, each featuring an unusual clinical presentation: amelanotic melanoma presenting as longitudinal erythronychia and squamous cell carcinoma in situ presenting as longitudinal melanonychia. This presentation underscores the need for a low threshold for biopsy in the presence of nail dyschromia of uncertain etiology.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma diagnosed by sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Although commonly used in the treatment of melanoma, sentinel lymph node biopsy has not yet been successfully used to detect lymphatic metastasis of basal cell carcinoma because of exceedingly low rates of metastasis. We describe the use of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in a patient after basal cell carcinoma was identified within a lymphatic vessel in the primary excisional specimen. As a result, the patient was found to have clusters of basal cell carcinoma in a sentinel lymph node resected from the right deltopectoral groove. Although metastatic basal cell carcinoma is exceedingly rare, we conclude that sentinel lymph node biopsy may be useful for certain high-risk lesions, such as lesions demonstrating histologic evidence of lymphatic invasion. Further experience is necessary to determine the clinical usefulness of sentinel node biopsy in these patients and its effect on patient survival.

Extent and impact of industry sponsorship conflicts of interest in dermatology research.

BACKGROUND: Many published clinical trials are authored by investigators with financial conflicts of interest. The general medical literature documents the pervasive extent and sometimes problematic impact of these conflicts. Accordingly, there is renewed discussion about author disclosure and clinical trial registry to minimize publication bias from financial conflicts of interest. Despite this evolving discussion in the general medical literature, little is known about the extent or role of financial conflicts of interest in dermatology research. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the extent and impact of industry sponsorship conflicts of interest in dermatology research. METHODS: We recorded potential financial conflicts of interest, study design, and study outcome in 179 clinical trials published between Oct 1, 2000 and Oct 1, 2003 in four leading dermatology journals. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of analyzed studies included at least one author with a reported conflict of interest. These studies were more likely to report a positive result, demonstrate higher methodological quality, and include a larger sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Conflict of interest in clinical investigations in dermatology appears to be prevalent and associated with potentially significant differences in study methodology and reporting.

High Bar Release in Triple Somersault Dismounts.

The release from the high bar was analyzed for six performances of triple backward somersaults. All 6 gymnasts released the bar with their mass centers below the level of the bar. The mean horizontal velocity of the mass center away from the bar was 1.2 m · s-1. This horizontal velocity was partitioned into contributions from the tangential and radial motions of the mass center relative to the bar and the movement of the bar relative to its neutral position. It was found that the tangential motion was the major contributor although the radial motion produced substantial positive contributions and the bar movement gave large negative contributions in two cases.