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The hot hand, often invoked in describing athletic performances, refers to the notion that the probability of success is conditional upon recent success or failure. The present paper describes a method of identifying hot-hand behavior in which data from amateur 10-pin bowlers were fit with a model containing dynamically varying probabilities of success and failure (hot-hand model) and one with fixed probabilities (stable model). Full-season data of 27 out of 40 bowlers were found to be better fit by the hot-hand model. Following success, different bowlers showed increased or decreased probability of success (hot-hand behavior or underperformance, respectively). Analysis of the two halves of each bowler's data indicated that the extent of hot-hand behavior or underperformance varied across the season. Overall, results suggest that the conditional probabilities that define performance can vary in an individual over time such that anticipation of hot-hand performance can be a reasonable expectation in certain circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A truncated, mean-parameterized Conway-Maxwell-Poisson model is developed to handle under- and overdispersed count data owing to individual heterogeneity. The truncated nature of the data allows for a more direct implementation of the model than is utilized in previous work without too much computational burden. The model is applied to a large dataset of Test match cricket bowlers, where the data are in the form of small counts and range in time from 1877 to the modern day, leading to the inclusion of temporal effects to account for fundamental changes to the sport and society. Rankings of sportsmen and women based on a statistical model are often handicapped by the popularity of inappropriate traditional metrics, which are found to be flawed measures in this instance. Inferences are made using a Bayesian approach by deploying a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm to obtain parameter estimates and to extract the innate ability of individual players. The model offers a good fit and indicates that there is merit in a more sophisticated measure for ranking and assessing Test match bowlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coefficient of friction (COF) is usually calculated from a force ratio or a translational velocity ratio. We developed a new method for calculating the COF between fingers and a thrown ball from the spin parameter (angular over translational velocity). We used triad data obtained from a motion analysis system. We rigidified the triad data with a new method by force-fitting a master triangle (obtained from average side lengths) to each triad, where the three distances between each pair of corresponding vertices are three virtual forces that are in force and moment equilibrium. We also applied a low-pass filter to the data. The following data were calculated: helical axis between two consecutive master triangles, angular velocity, translational velocity, and COF. We applied this method to cricket ball deliveries (finger-spin topspin Ft, finger-spin backspin Fb, wrist-spin topspin Wt, wrist-spin backspin Wb). The standard deviations of the triad side lengths were smaller without than with low-pass filter. The COF showed smaller interquartile and total ranges when force fitting the raw data than when force-fitting the filtered data; or filtered data without force fitting; or neither force-fitting nor filtering. The delivery finger-spin backspin exhibited the smallest COF, whereas wrist-spin backspin had the highest. Finger-spin deliveries had a smaller COF than wrist-spin ones. There was no significant difference between topspin and backspin in terms of the COF. Deliveries with the palm pointing medially (Ft, Wb) had a greater COF than deliveries with the palm pointing laterally (Fb, Wt). In conclusion, the force-fitting method was superior compared to low-pass filtering with the latter worsening the data because of filtering along the time axis rather than spatially. The COF imparted on cricket ball led to a new classification system of deliveries and to a proposal for a new bowling strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of height and weight on the performance of the top fifty T-20 International Cricket bowlers. Using a dataset of performance metrics, heights, and weights collected from ESPN Cricinfo, MRFTyer (ICC Ranking), and Cricbuzz, the research employs various statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, chisquare tests, odds ratios, and distributions such as geometric and Poisson. The analysis aims to uncover how these physical attributes influence a bowler's effectiveness in the T-20 format. The findings support existing research that highlights the role of height and weight in enhancing a bowler's ability to generate bounce and movement, which are critical for success. Additionally, the study explores how weight affects aspects such as bowling economy and wicket-taking capabilities, linking body composition to overall performance. The results provide valuable insights for coaches, analysts, and players, improving understanding of factors that contribute to success in T-20 cricket. The study also offers implications for talent identification, player development, and strategic planning within the sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although many cricket-playing nations have conducted research on bowling volume (BV) and injury risk, this relationship amongst international South African pace bowlers is yet to be investigated. Environmental, socio-economic and training strategy differences warrant similar research in a South African context. The purpose of this preliminary study was to establish whether South African pace bowlers have similar BV and injury associates compared to other elite fast bowlers. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational, cohort study that monitored match and training BV and injuries amongst pace bowlers playing for the South African national team between April 2017 and April 2019. A sample of convenience that included 14 bowlers was selected. Bowling volume was quantified as the number of deliveries bowled during training and competition. Acute-, chronic- and acute:chronic BV ratios were independently modelled as association variables. Results: There were 39 injuries with the most being to the lumbar spine (25.64%). Moderate-to-low and a moderate-to-high acute:chronic bowling load ratios were associated with a lower risk of injury. Chronic bowling load was associated with injury (z = 2.82, p = 0.01). A low acute workload, low chronic workload, moderate-high chronic workload and moderate-low acute:chronic ratio were also associated with an increased risk of injury. Conclusion: These findings confirm that there appears to be a dose–response effect between training BV and the likelihood of an injury occurring with a moderate-to-low and a moderate-to-high BV ratio being optimal. Considering the small sample size, the findings should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Injury surveillance is an important part of injury risk reduction in the sporting population. This study describes the type, side (dominant or non-dominant), occurrence, impact, activity of onset, and severity of foot and ankle injuries in elite South African male and female cricketers. Methods: Foot and ankle injuries sustained by elite cricket players between 2018 and 2021, obtained from the records of Cricket South Africa, were descriptively analysed. Results: A total of 104 foot and ankle injuries in 82 players were recorded. The majority (n = 100; 96%) of injuries were on the non-dominant side. Bowling (n = 31; 30%) and fielding (n = 20; 19%) contributed to most injuries. The majority were first-time (n = 83; 80%) and non-impact injuries (n = 62; 60%). Fifty percent (n = 52) of injuries rendered players unable to participate in at least one match or practice session. Lateral ankle ligament injury was the most common injury sustained (n = 36; 35%). Conclusion: The findings from this study can inform future researchers and assist healthcare service needs relating to injury risk reduction and management programmes. Effective rehabilitation programmes may reduce the risk of reinjury. Ideally, these programmes need to be role specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cricket, a sport immensely popular in the Indian subcontinent and Commonwealth countries, boasts a staggering global following of over 1 billion enthusiasts. However, injuries in cricket are prevalent, resulting in detrimental effects on player performance and leading to substantial absenteeism from the game. In recent times, there has been a surge in interest on the epidemiology, biomechanics, and prevention of cricket-related injuries. To gain comprehensive insights into the existing research landscape, we present a bibliometric analysis of the published research on cricket injuries. Materials: The Web of Science database was searched using a well-defined search strategy. Original research articles looking at any aspect of injuries in cricket were included. Search results were imported into the R Bibliometrix package for analysis. Analysis of bibliometric parameters included top authors, journals, countries and keywords. Co-occurrence networks were generated and thematic mapping was performed to identify emerging research topics. Observations: 423 publications from 126 journals were included. An increasing trend in publications was noted. JW Orchard was the highest published author; Australia was the highest published country and the Journal of Science and Sport in Medicine had the highest number of publications. Fast bowlers were the most extensively researched and the major research was noted to focus on three niche areas, i.e., epidemiology, consensus definitions and spinal issues in fast bowlers. Research on batsmen, wicketkeepers and fielders was relatively sparse. Furthermore, we observed limited representation of research from the Indian subcontinent, despite cricket's immense popularity in the region. Conclusions: Our study findings highlight that majority of the cricket injury research stems from developed countries. The primary research areas include epidemiology, injury prevention, and biomechanics, with a particular focus on fast bowlers. However, much more has to be done to encourage research publications, focused on batsmen, wicketkeeper and fielders, as well as cricket in the developing world. These insights are essential for researchers seeking to delve into cricket-related studies and organizations aiming to advance injury prevention research in cricket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infrared imaging is an evidence-based, noninvasive method used in the field of medicine to detect the inflammatory level of the tissues. It is also used in sports to evaluate the peripheral blood supply of the various tissues of the human body to compare the performance level. Objective: To identify the loading pattern of tissues of the body during warm-up sessions and bowling of the cricketers using the thermal imaging technique. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study was conducted on 15 cricketers of the elite school-level central province team. Thermal imaging was done in all players at pre and postwarm-up sessions. Serial thermal images were captured on each player for 6 overs. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to assess the significance of these changes. Results: The thermal images obtained before warming up displayed heterogeneous temperature distribution, compared to the postwarm-up thermal pattern appeared to have uniform and symmetrical thermal distribution. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference in temperature distributions before and after warm-up (p < 0.05). In some players, the standard warm-up session may not be sufficient, as indicated by the distinctive thermal patterns observed during the prewarm-up. Four fast bowlers showed trunk region muscles, trapezius, pectoralis, and external oblique significant (p < 0.05) temperature patterns (26.6%). Two spinners showed significant thermal images (p < 0.05), trapezius, and gastrocnemius muscles, respectively (13.3%). The only left-arm orthodox bowler had a right elbow and left tibial regional increase thermal pattern (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Thermal imaging to assess the adequacy of the warming-up level in cricketers prior to bowling showed that the standard group-warm up session was not adequate for everyone. They need a tailor-made warming-up session for each one of the bowlers. All fast bowlers showed significant thermal imaging patterns suggestive of overloading of the trapezius, pectoralis, and external oblique muscles. Spinners showed both trunk and lower limb muscles overloading thermal patterns. Further investigation is warranted to identify specific warm-up strategies tailored to individual cricketers' needs. Tissue loading patterns while bowling should be further studied during training and matches. This will help to identify the areas of excessive tissue loading and hence to develop injury prevention strategies based on the real-time observational data through thermal imaging technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given document is a collection of conference abstracts from the World Congress of Science and Medicine in Cricket, held in India in November 2023. The abstracts cover various topics related to cricket, including kinematics and ball speed for fast bowlers, loading in the lower back during fast bowling, mental health services for elite cricketers, mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, and batting backlift technique validation. The abstracts provide insights into scientific research and practical applications in cricket. The studies explore machine learning analysis of fast bowlers, loading in the lower back, kinetic parameters in fast bowling, run-out opportunities, physical characteristics associated with injuries, age verification methods, COVID-19's impact on cricket, AI integration in cricket science, mental health of cricket players, biosecure environments, muscle activation in cricket players, preseason exercise volume and injury incidence, choking in cricket, low self-confidence's impact on performance, muscle activation in batting, chronic injuries in elite players, gender disparities in cricket, bibliometric analysis of cricket injury research, and lumbar spine injury risk in Indian fast bowlers. These studies provide valuable insights for coaches, players, and researchers in the field of cricket. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: The current investigation sought to determine the motivation of a selected delivery style of bowling at the crease, including last minute decisions thereof, in three overs per bowler among selected players in a Zimbabwean men's cricket team. Introduction: Historically, the inception of the game of cricket in Southern Rhodesia, its remarkable continuance nationally up until the present day, and its cultivation at local schools, resulted in some notable historical experiences amongst exceptional players, including former P.M. Ian D. Smith. The historical development and global recognition of Zimbabwe as a significant cricket nation was discussed. Materials and methods: During the investigation of bowling styles, a selected cohort of 10 cricket players aged 18-35 years (competing in the Men's Logan Cup 2023, Harare, Zimbabwe) were chosen and observations by way of counts were made on spin (13 categories: leg spin, off spin, off break, top spin, arm ball, the doosra, carrom ball, the teesa, leg break, top spin, googly, flipper and slider) and fast (12 categories: fast pace, medium pace, swinger, out swing, reverse swing, bouncer, slower ball, Yorker, off cutter, leg cutter, knuckle ball and beamer) bowling styles. Results: Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient revealed that there were no statistically different determinants between spin and fast bowling styles. Within the respective categories, mean±SD off break (9.2±7.7) and leg break (5.1 ± 6.3) (spin), and out swing (7.1 ± 7.3) and swinger (5.4 ± 5.8) (fast), were significantly (p <0.05) higher than the other styles within each grouping. Categories which had no recordings included the doosra, carrom ball, the teesa, flipper and slider (spin); and off cutter, leg cutter and beamer (fast). The percentage category selection of spin and fast bowling styles, included 61.5 and 75%, respectively. Conclusion: More local academic (scientific and medical) studies researching provincial and national cricket team performance/s are enthusiastically encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cricket fast bowling is one of the most widely studied fragments of cricket. The kinetics and kinematics of the fast-bowling action are evidently responsible for the performance and injury risks of the bowler. This study focuses on two crucial factors of the latter--lateral trunk flexion (LTF) and hip-shoulder separation (HSS) angle. Aim and objective: This study aims to establish the relationship between the HSS angle and LTF, the correlation between the LTF angle and ball release, and the correlation between the HSS angle and ball release in cricket fast bowlers. Materials and methods: A total of 10 collegiate fast bowlers participated in this study. The best delivery of the six bowled balls was chosen. In Vicon Nexus, the HSS angle and LTF angles were calculated for correlations. The parameters were then run on Pearson's correlation test with significance at p ≤ 0.05. Result: A total of 10 bowlers successfully completed the study. Their average ball speeds were 107.5 ± 9.99 km/hour. The study showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.788, p = 0.007) between HSS angle and LTF. There was no significant correlation between LTF and HSS angles with ball speed. Conclusion: By establishing a strong relationship between LTF and HSS angle, this study provides a better understanding to the coaches to assign new injury risk assessment strategies. LTF angles, like HSS angles, can also be used to assess the risk of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the differences in the anthropometric and morphological characteristics of elite male cricket bowlers and batters over time. A systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines, between September 2021 and October 2022. A literature search was carried out on three main databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost. This was based on keywords and several inclusion and exclusion criteria. A quality assessment was carried out using the evaluation criteria for quantitative investigations focusing on the problem statement, design of methods, participant characteristics, outcome measures, sample size, analytical methodology, estimation of variance, reporting of results, and overall conclusions, to assess manuscript quality. Data were presented as mean ± SD where appropriate. Fifty-two papers matched all criteria and specific data from each was used for the systematic review. The most common measures investigated were stature, mass, and percentage of body fat. Elite bowlers were found to be significantly (p < 0.001; ES = 1.29) heavier (83.54 ± 4.42 kg vs 79.02 ± 4.26 kg) and significantly taller (p < 0.01; ES = 1.03) (185.64 ± 3.48 cm vs 181.23 ± 2.57 cm) than batters. A strong, positive and significant (p < 0.05) correlation (R2 = 0.77) was shown for batters between stature and time (years) (1987: 179.80 cm; 2021: 183.00 cm). Research on the anthropometrical and morphological characteristics comparing elite cricket bowlers and batters over time is limited. Further inquiry is needed to quantify the effect of these different traits on batting and bowling performance. This is important for player selection, talent identification, and program design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lumbar spine injuries in fast bowlers account for the greatest missed playing time in cricket. A range of extrinsic and intrinsic variables are hypothesised to be associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in fast bowlers, and an improved understanding of intrinsic variables is necessary as these may alter load tolerance and injury risk associated with fast bowling. This review critically evaluated studies reporting intrinsic variables associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in fast bowlers and identified areas for future investigation. Methods: OVID Medline, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were last searched on 3 June 2022 to identify studies investigating intrinsic variables associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in cricket fast bowlers. Terms relevant to cricket fast bowling, and intrinsic variables associated with lumbar spine injury and low back pain in fast bowlers were searched. 1,503 abstracts were screened, and 118 full‐text articles were appraised to determine whether they met inclusion criteria. Two authors independently screened search results and assessed risk of bias using a modified version of the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. Results: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, no included studies demonstrated a low risk of bias, two studies were identified as moderate risk, and twenty-three studies were identified as high risk. Conflicting results were reported amongst studies investigating associations of fast bowling kinematics and kinetics, trunk and lumbar anatomical features, anthropometric traits, age, and neuromuscular characteristics with low back pain and lumbar spine injury. Conclusion: Inconsistencies in results may be related to differences in study design, injury definitions, participant characteristics, measurement parameters, and statistical analyses. Low back pain and lumbar spine injury occurrence in fast bowlers remain high, and this may be due to an absence of low bias studies that have informed recommendations for their prevention. Future research should employ clearly defined injury outcomes, analyse continuous datasets, utilise models that better represent lumbar kinematics and kinetics during fast bowling, and better quantify previous injury, lumbar anatomical features and lumbar maturation. Trial registration: Open Science Framework https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ERKZ2. Key points: • No included studies were judged to have an overall low risk of bias. • Inconsistencies in results of studies investigating associations between intrinsic variables and low back pain and lumbar spine injury may be due to differences in study design, injury definitions, participant characteristics, measurement parameters, and statistical analyses. • Clearly defined injury outcomes, use of continuous datasets, models that better represent lumbar kinematics and kinetics during fast bowling, and improving the quantification of lumbar maturation, previous injury, and lumbar anatomical features represent areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological dynamics framework emphasises that movement solutions are guided by the relationship that exists between the performer and their environment, scaled to an individual's own action capabilities. This suggests that representative practice tasks should be used in high performance settings to encourage individually optimised movement solutions for both team and individual sports. This study specifically focuses on individual cricket spin bowlers and aims to understand the influence of their prior learning experiences on their perceptual attunement strategies when tasked with performing on a familiar Australian cricket pitch and a less familiar bespoke international (Indian) pitch. Two right hand leg spin bowlers that were part of a group of eight emerging expert spin bowlers were chosen for individual analysis. Bowler A reported 80 prior experiences of bowling on subcontinental (i.e., India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh) pitches whereas Bowler B had only 20 prior experiences. Overall, both bowlers' outcome performances either met or exceeded their expectations. Bowler A chose to calibrate his bowling style on the less familiar pitch to improve the fit between his delivery characteristics and the environmental pitch conditions, whereas Bowler B maintained his bowling style, even though he recognised a difference in the pitch conditions. Therefore, Bowler A maintained stable performance outcomes by implementing flexible movement solutions. In contrast, while Bowler B achieved his expected performance outcomes, his lack of diverse learning experiences may limit his action capabilities, although more performance trials are needed to confirm this conclusion. Regardless, this study demonstrates that there is valuable information in knowing how a player achieves a successful result, which should be coupled with performance outcomes to help create individualised development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 3,767 balls bowled by international-level fast bowlers across two One-Day International (ODI) tournaments were analysed to determine how to effectively bowl during the "death" phase of an innings (final 10 overs). The results of chi-squared analyses revealed that bowling length, bowling line, batter quality and having wickets in hand were all associated with the concession of runs during the death phase (all p < 0.001). Specifically, the yorker length is revealed to be very effective at restricting runs conceded, whereas the opposite is true for the half-volley and full-toss lengths. The batting side having five or more wickets in hand results in greater than expected runs being scored during the death phase. Furthermore, the results reveal that middle order batters score more runs than their tail-ender team-mates during this death phase, suggesting that middle-order batters have to assume the role of "finishers". From a practical perspective, the results of this study clearly identify areas bowlers can target to constrict the scoring of runs as well as areas they should avoid. Batting strategies in the death phase should consist maintaining five or more wickets in hand and thereby not exposing tail-enders to the bowling attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sue Bowler talks to Belinda Wilkes, high-energy astrophysicist and former director of the Chandra X-ray Center, about the impact of this great observatory maybe shutting down for good in the next year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The glenohumeral joint’s rotational range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength are essential to execute the cricket bowling action. Performing shoulder rotation exercises may increase the rotator cuff muscle strength and rotational ROM. Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the effect of a sixweek exercise programme on shoulder rotational ROM and muscle strength. Methods: Twenty-one healthy male cricket fast bowlers were recruited, ranked and pair-matched on initial shoulder rotator muscle strength and assigned to either a shoulder exercise (SE) group or cricket training (CT) only group. The SE group incorporated Indian clubbell exercises in addition to their cricket training. Results: Bowlers in both groups displayed a large increase on the dominant shoulder’s internal rotation (IR) ROM, but only the SE group’s bowlers displayed ROM improvements (p<0.001) bilaterally for both internal and external rotation. The CT group’s fast bowler’s non-dominant shoulder IR ROM significantly decreased (p=0.02) during the six weeks. Between groups, only the SE group’s bowler’s internal rotator muscle strength improved (p<0.001) bilaterally. The observed kinematic changes were statistically significantly greater at a 5% level for the SE group’s bowlers (bilateral internal rotators muscle strength, non-dominant shoulder IR ROM and horizontal adduction ROM). Conclusion: Maintenance of the shoulder’s rotational ROM and muscle strength is vital for a fast bowler. Cricket bowlers who perform regular clubbell exercises might increase their shoulder’s ROM and internal rotator cuffs’ muscle strength, which may aid in stabilising their glenohumeral joint while bowling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite differences between left- and righthanded athletes in other sports, minimal evidence exists regarding biomechanical similarities and differences between left- and right-handed cricket fast bowlers performing an equivalent task. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the kinematics between left and right-handed fast bowlers performing an equivalent task (i.e. bowling ‘over the wicket’ to a batter of the same handedness as the bowler). Methods: Full body, three-dimensional kinematic data for six left-handed and 20 right-handed adolescent, male, fast bowlers were collected using the Xsens inertial measurement system. Time-normalised joint and segment angle time histories from back foot contact to follow-through ground contacts were compared between groups via statistical parametric mapping. Whole movement and subphase durations were also compared. Results: Left-handed players displayed significantly more trunk flexion from 49%-56% of the total movement (ball release occurred at 54%; p = 0.037) and had shorter back foot contact durations on average (0.153 vs 0.177 s; p = 0.036) compared to right-handed players. Conclusion: Left- and right-handed bowlers displayed similar sagittal plane kinematics but appeared to use non-sagittal plane movements differently around the time of ball release. The kinematic differences identified in this study can inform future research investigating the effect of hand dominance on bowling performance and injury risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite an increase in the professionalism and participation of female cricket, the coaching of female pace bowling is still reliant on male-derived knowledge. Objectives: To investigate the association between key malederived kinematic and anthropometric parameters and ball release speed (BRS) in female pace bowlers. Methods: Eleven female pace bowlers participated in this study. BRS, and four anthropometric and five kinematic parameters were determined. Stepwise linear regression and Pearson Product Moment correlations were used to identify anthropometric and kinematic parameters linked to BRS. Results: The best predictor of BRS explaining 89% of the observed variance was the bowling shoulder angle at ball release. The best anthropometric predictor of BRS was height explaining 53% of the observed variance. Other parameters correlated with BRS included: run-up speed (r = 0.75, p = 0.013) and arm length (r = 0.61, p = 0.046). When height was controlled for, the front knee angle at front foot contact was also correlated to BRS (r = 0.68, p = 0.044). No relationship was found between trunk flexion and BRS. Conclusion: Faster BRS were characterised by faster run-up speeds, straighter front knees, and delayed arm circumduction similar to male pace bowlers. The lack of relationship between trunk flexion and BRS may highlight female pace bowlers adopting a bowling technique where BRS is contributed to by trunk rotation as well as trunk flexion. This knowledge is likely to be useful in the talent identification and coaching of female pace bowlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies found that trunk muscle asymmetry may play a role in preventing injury in cricket fast bowlers, while the association with bowling performance has not been investigated. This study aims to describe the side-to-side differences in trunk muscle thickness and determine the association between bowling performance and these side-to-side differences in trunk muscle thickness in adolescent fast bowlers. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, bowling performance, namely ball release speed and bowling accuracy, was recorded in adolescent fast bowlers. Ultrasound imaging measured external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscle thickness. Results: Fast bowlers (n = 46) with a mean age of 15.9 (±1.2) years participated. On the non-dominant side, the external oblique and internal oblique at rest were thicker than on the dominant side (external oblique: p = 0.011, effect size = 0.27; internal oblique: p < 0.0001, effect size = 0.40), while the transversus abdominus (p = 0.72, effect size = 0.19) and lumbar multifidus (p = 0.668, effect size = 0.04) were symmetrical. Weak correlations existed between bowling performance and the side-to-side differences in the thickness in all muscles, except for two moderate correlations: 1. The smaller the side-to-side difference in absolute thickness of the external oblique when contracted, the faster the ball release speed (Spearman's (ρ) = −0.455, p = 0.002). 2. Also, a smaller side-to-side difference in external oblique contraction ratio (Spearman's (ρ) = −0.495, p = 0.0001) was associated with faster ball release speed. Conclusions: No relationship between bowling performance and side-to-side differences in internal oblique muscle thickness could be established, while more symmetrical external oblique muscles may be linked to faster ball release speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every player is expected to contribute to team's batting effort irrespective of their batting position. The expected contribution of each batsman is to score runs as quickly as possible without getting dismissed. It has often seen that based on different situations within a game, a batsman must play either carefully to defend his wicket or strike out aggressively to score runs quickly. Based on the expertise of the batsman, the captain of the fielding team arrange the fielders in such a way that the batsman couldn't maximize his score. However, the arrangement of fielders is also dependent on the type of bowler (spin/fast) as well as team's bowling strategies. Therefore, this study tries to find out the optimal playing strategies of a batsman on the field against different bowling types through the approach of game theory. To substantiate the model with live data a batsman's strategies against different types of bowlers are explained in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important determinants of a cricket fast bowler's performance are bowling speed and accuracy. Even though various strength and conditioning practices (resistance, plyometric and modified-implement training) have been employed to improve these parameters, there is still ambiguity as to the effectiveness of such training programmes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the influence of various training interventions on fast bowling speed and accuracy. Searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria were studies that: were original research or conference presentations; recruited fast bowlers as participants; involved a physical training intervention; written in English; and included bowling speed or accuracy as outcome measures. Ten articles met our inclusion criteria for qualitative and eight for quantitative analysis. The quality of the studies assessed using Downs and Black checklist ranged from low to moderate with a mean ± SD of 64.5 ± 8.14%. There was a moderate and significant effect of plyometric training intervention on bowling speed (SMD = 0.75; Z = 2.98; p = 0.003). Further, a small and non-significant effect of resistance training on bowling speed was observed in our study (SMD = 0.40; Z = 1.39; p = 0.164). A small but non-significant difference was found in the ball speed post modified ball weight training intervention (SMD = 0.30; Z = 1.14; p = 0.252). The findings from our study are useful for strength and conditioning coaches in helping to design and implement fast-bowling specific training programmes for improved bowling speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]