TY - JOUR
T1 - Bowling action and ball flight kinematics of conventional swing bowling in pathway and high-performance bowlers
AU - Lindsay, Cody
AU - Spratford, Wayne
PY - 2020/4
Y1 - 2020/4
N2 - When executed correctly, swing bowling has the potential to influence the outcome of a cricket match, yet little is known about the required bowling action and ball flight characteristics. This study aimed to describe the bowling action and initial ball flight characteristics as well as to identify variables that may be associated with increased swing in pathway and high-performance medium and fast pace bowlers. A 17-camera Vicon motion analysis system captured retro-reflective markers placed on the upper-body of participants and new cricket balls to quantify bowling action and initial ball flight kinematics. Bowlers delivered the ball with their forearm and hand angled in the direction of intended swing with an extended wrist flexing through the point of ball release. Bowlers who produced more swing had increased seam stability, possibly linked to a lower wrist and ball angular velocity. It is believed that swing increases with seam stability, however, optimal ranges may exist for seam azimuth angle, ball angular velocity and release speed. These findings may assist coaches to optimise the performance of bowlers, however, future research should use bowlers who play at higher levels to investigate swing bowling at greater speeds.
AB - When executed correctly, swing bowling has the potential to influence the outcome of a cricket match, yet little is known about the required bowling action and ball flight characteristics. This study aimed to describe the bowling action and initial ball flight characteristics as well as to identify variables that may be associated with increased swing in pathway and high-performance medium and fast pace bowlers. A 17-camera Vicon motion analysis system captured retro-reflective markers placed on the upper-body of participants and new cricket balls to quantify bowling action and initial ball flight kinematics. Bowlers delivered the ball with their forearm and hand angled in the direction of intended swing with an extended wrist flexing through the point of ball release. Bowlers who produced more swing had increased seam stability, possibly linked to a lower wrist and ball angular velocity. It is believed that swing increases with seam stability, however, optimal ranges may exist for seam azimuth angle, ball angular velocity and release speed. These findings may assist coaches to optimise the performance of bowlers, however, future research should use bowlers who play at higher levels to investigate swing bowling at greater speeds.
KW - Cricket
KW - inswing
KW - outswing
KW - performance
KW - seam
KW - swing bowling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85083653519&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02640414.2020.1754717
DO - 10.1080/02640414.2020.1754717
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85083653519
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Journal of Sports Science
JF - Journal of Sports Science
SN - 0264-0414
ER -