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This study aimed to investigate inter- and intra-athlete technique variability in pre-elite and elite Australian fast bowlers delivering new ball conventional swing bowling. Ball grip angle and pelvis, torso, shoulder, elbow, wrist, upper arm, forearm, and hand kinematics were investigated at the point of ball release for inswing and outswing deliveries. Descriptive evaluations of group and individual data and k-means cluster analyses were used to assess inter- and intra-bowler technique variability. Inter-athlete technique and ball grip variability were identified, demonstrating that skilled bowlers use individualised strategies to generate swing. Functional movement variability was demonstrated by intra-athlete variability in successful swing bowling trials. Bowlers demonstrated stable technique parameters in large proximal body segments of the pelvis and torso, providing a level of repeatability to their bowling action. Greater variation was observed in bowling arm kinematics, allowing athletes to manipulate the finger and ball position to achieve the desired seam orientation at the point of ball release. This study demonstrates that skilled bowlers use individualised techniques and grips to generate swing and employ technique variations in successive deliveries. Coaches should employ individualised training strategies and use constraints-led approaches in training environments to encourage bowlers to seek adaptive movement solutions to generate swing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swing bowling can influence the outcome of cricket matches, but technique characteristics and coaching practices have not been investigated at an elite level. This study aimed to provide insight into the perceived technique parameters, coaching practices and variables contributing to conventional new ball swing bowling in elite cricket. Six Australian Test match fast bowlers and six Australian international and national-level coaches were interviewed. A reflexive thematic analysis of interview transcripts generated themes associated with swing bowling. Most bowlers reported their technique allows them to naturally create either inswing or outswing, with technique variations used to create swing in the opposite direction. To increase delivery effectiveness, bowlers and coaches recommended pitching the ball closer to the batter in length and varying release positions along the crease. Coaches recommended making individualised technique adjustments, but suggested all bowlers could benefit from maintaining balance and forward momentum to create a consistent release position in repeated deliveries. This study could inform training strategies to alter techniques and improve swing bowling performance. Future research should investigate the physical qualities of fast bowlers and use biomechanical analyses to provide a deeper understanding of swing bowling. [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 the sport of cricket, the pitch is an organic surface that represents an important environmental constraint. While the soil properties of the pitch are known to influence the pace and bounce of medium and fast deliveries, it is unknown how the soil constructs or the seam of the cricket ball affect the pace, bounce, and deviation of a spinning delivery. A specialised spin bowling machine was used to deliver 276 (139 wrist spin, 137 finger spin) spinning deliveries onto two cricket pitches with contrasting soil properties. The pitches included a bespoke international pitch (BIP; higher sand content at 43.28%) and a common Australian pitch (CAP; lower sand content at 7.44%). Results indicated that the BIP showed significantly slower reflection pace and larger deviation, compared to the CAP. Irrespective of the pitch type, when the seam of the ball impacted the pitch, there was a significantly slower reflection pace and larger deviation. The reflection properties of the BIP resembled that of a "spinning pitch" which can be used as a form of representative practice for conditions similar to those that may be experienced in India. The impact of the seam on the pitch surface significantly altered the reflection of the ball and should be considered in future cricket research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast bowling in cricket involves a complex multiarticular action performed at high speed. Functional movement variability plays an important role in helping the performer to maintain the consistency of performance outcomes, although this has not previously been examined in cricket fast bowling in relation to maintaining consistent delivery speed. Therefore, this study investigated how variability of delivery stride movement timings contributes to maintaining consistent bowling speed. Footage of six deliveries from 92 male fast bowlers were analyzed. Delivery speed was recorded, and the time of back foot contact, front foot contact and ball release were identified. The variability of movement timings and the delivery speed were determined using the coefficient of variation. Results showed greater variability in delivery stride movement timings compared to delivery speed. These findings suggest that bowlers may use movement variability to adjust their functional movement coordination pattern during the bowling action to achieve consistent bowling speed. Highlights: Variability of movement timings may play an important functional role in assisting cricket fast bowlers to adapt to the constraints of the task to achieve a consistent performance outcome.Findings support previous research in skill acquisition by highlighting that variability in movement patterns is necessary for consistent performance outcomes.This study presents preliminary evidence that functional movement variability in cricket fast bowlers contributes to achieving consistent delivery speed, challenging traditional views on minimizing movement variability for successful performance outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the theory of ecological dynamics, adaptive responses emerge through exploration when an individual interacts with their environment. This study investigates how when competing, the environment guides perceptual-motor exploration that is balanced by the need to meet performance requirements. To understand this, eight emerging expert cricket spin bowlers aged 21 ± 3 years competed in three small-sided simulated practice matches where pitch conditions were manipulated to present familiar and unfamiliar environmental pitch constraints. It was hypothesized that bowlers would explore the unfamiliar pitch by searching for an action mode that allowed them to best exploit the conditions to achieve a successful outcome (e.g., take a wicket) while simultaneously attempting to satisfy the immediate performance requirements (e.g., limit runs per over). A mixed methodology was used to first identify the perceptions and intentions of the bowlers (dimensions, themes, and action modes), followed by analysis of the resultant action characteristics (delivery speed, spin rate, and pitching position) and performance outcomes (economy rate, strike rate, and bowling average). Overall, when competing on the familiar pitch, the bowlers reported primarily attuning to task constraints (75%). In contrast, when bowling on the unfamiliar pitch, all bowlers reported that their attention was more focused upon picking up key affordances related to environmental pitch constraints (100%). The majority of bowlers indicated that they bowled differently on the unfamiliar pitch by using more "side-spin" and less "over-spin". Interestingly, it was not until the second performance on this pitch that execution variables significantly changed. Despite these changes, bowlers continued to pay attention to the opposing batters' strategies throughout all three practice matches. The consistency of this response can be explained by an overarching strategy for all types of bowling in cricket that is more closely linked to the ongoing individual-opponent interaction. That is, the bowlers must perform and 'stay in the game' whilst simultaneously adapting to any environmental changes. Therefore, demonstrating the need to continually satisfy the immediate performance requirements to afford the opportunity to explore new affordances in the environment that may offer exploitation. • Constraints, attunement, action modes, execution and outcome impact adaptability. • An unfamiliar environmental constraint impacts match play strategies. • Environmental adaptation and therefor exploitation first requires exploration. • Environmental exploration is balanced by the need to simultaneously perform. • Local bespoke pitch conditions offer practice of alternate match play strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine which training method (net-based sessions or center-wicket simulations) currently used in national level and U19 male players cricket provided a more physical and technical match-specific training response. The heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and movement patterns of 42 male cricket players were measured across the various training and match formats. Video analysis was coded retrospectively to quantify technical loads based on the cricket skills performed. Magnitude-based inferences were based on the standardization of effect and presented with ±90% confidence intervals. Regardless of playing position, differences in physiological demands between training modes and match-play were unclear, with the exception of higher heart rates in fielders during traditional net sessions (mean heart rate: d = -2.7 [-4.7 to -0.7]; 75% of maximum heart rate: d = -1.7 [-3.2 to -0.2]). Typically, the movement demands of center-wicket simulations were similar or greater than match-play, which was most evident in the distance traveled at a high intensity within each playing position (batsmen: d = 6.4 [3.7-9.2]; medium-fast bowlers: d = 1.71 [0.1-3.3]; spin bowlers: d = 6.5 [0.01-13.0]; fielders: d = 0.8 [-0.2 to 1.7]). The technical demands of traditional net cricket training exceeded that of a typical match for each playing position. Specifically, fast bowlers delivered a greater number of balls during net-bowling compared with a match (d = -2.2 [-3.6 to 0.9]). In conclusion, center-wicket simulations more closely matched the physical demands of a One-Day match within batsmen and spin bowlers, whereas traditional cricket training often exceeded match-specific demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]