paper4_harwood_respository.pdf (325.35 kB)
Scaling the cricket pitch to fit junior players
journal contribution
posted on 2020-09-07, 13:29 authored by Mike Harwood, Fred YeadonFred Yeadon, Mark KingMark KingStudies 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.
Funding
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
Journal of Sports SciencesVolume
39Issue
1Pages
31 - 37Publisher
Taylor & FrancisVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© Taylor & FrancisPublisher statement
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sports Sciences on 14 August 2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02640414.2020.1804518.Acceptance date
2020-07-23Publication date
2020-08-14Copyright date
2020ISSN
0264-0414eISSN
1466-447XPublisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Prof Mark King. Deposit date: 6 September 2020Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC