Abstract
In cricket, swing bowling is the lateral deviation of fast bowlers’ deliveries before bouncing on the wicket. If used effectively in matches, swing bowling can reduce the performance of opposition batters, yet few studies have investigated swing bowling in elite cricket. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the technique and ball flight parameters of new ball conventional swing bowling in elite male cricketers.Initially, a critical review of relevant literature identified that few studies had investigated swing bowling in cricket. Therefore, a systematic review examining scientific literature from several sports aimed to identify technique parameters that allow athletes to cause ball flight path deviation to narrow the focus for the following cricket-specific studies. During ball striking and throwing actions, movement variations of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers can be employed to manipulate the spin imparted on balls, and, in the example of cricket, manipulate seam orientation. Following this study, elite Australian fast bowlers and coaches were interviewed to understand their perceptions of how to generate swing. Bowlers and coaches reported that athletes use individualised techniques and generally, find it easier to deliver either inswing or outswing based on the orientation of their bowling arm. Despite using individualised techniques, certain parameters were suggested to improve swing bowling performance in all bowlers. Maintaining an index and middle finger orientation behind the seam as the ball rolls out of the hand can assist athletes to release the ball with an upright and angled seam orientation. The presence of the seam on one side of the ball trips airflow to turbulent while it remains laminar on the other side. This airflow asymmetry causes a pressure differential between the two sides of the ball and a lateral force is produced that causes swing.
Building upon the findings of the first two studies, quantitative investigations were completed to provide an in-depth understanding of the technique and ball flight parameters of swing bowling. Inter-and intra-athlete technique variation and variable ball release parameters were observed. Bowlers created swing using different techniques that generated varying combinations of ball flight parameters. In repeated deliveries, bowlers employed low variation in large proximal body segments, such as the pelvis and torso, and greater variation in the bowling arm. This provided bowlers with a level of consistency and repeatability in the bowling action but allowed manipulation of finger and seam orientation to the desired position at the point of ball release. To create late swing with their deliveries, bowlers can pitch the ball on a full length and impart a large amount of backspin on the ball at release. Pitching deliveries on a full length provides the ball with a longer flight time to swing and greater deceleration, with lower ball velocities being linked to greater swing. Imparting backspin on the ball at release can be used by bowlers to create a gyroscopic precession effect that reduces seam ‘wobble’ and stabilises the seam orientation during flight. A seam that becomes more stable later in the flight path may create late swing. While this type of swing may be of tactical advantage to the bowler, it may also be difficult to control and unpredictable.
The findings from this body of research provide an understanding of the techniques and ball flight parameters used by fast bowlers to generate swing. Future research building upon these findings will contribute to a greater understanding of swing bowling in elite cricket. This research provides scientific evidence that could guide training strategies that target specific technique and ball flight parameters to improve swing bowling performance in athletes of all levels.
| Date of Award | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Wayne SPRATFORD (Supervisor) & Brad CLARK (Supervisor) |