Examining environmental constraints in sport: Spin characteristics of two cricket pitches with contrasting soil properties

Abstract

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.

Setting Decision Making in male high- level volleyball: a study from ecological theory and social network analysis perspective

“…The analysis of the volleyball game at high level shows that the ecological conditions, specifically the setter's DM that occurs from situations that allow the organized attack, show similar characteristics between the teams, as the restrictions caused to the defensive system, in this case the blocking, diminish the possibilities of anticipation, at the same time allowing flexible choices by the setters, increasing the variability of the context, with the objective of achieving the proposed goals (Araújo et al, 2020;Crowther et al, 2020;Hristovski et al, 2012;Raab et al, 2019). Which in the case of the setter is to choose the attacker who will carry out the attack based on the values of effectiveness in this game procedure, as well as in situations with fewer blockers.…”

Exploring the influence of task and environmental constraints on batting and bowling performance in cricket: A systematic review

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Improving students’ cricket hitting skills using digital test

“…Starting an athlete's career or exercising as usual, of course, requires a monitor and manager of sports development from beginning to end. In this digital and flexible era, a monitor can be applied in several ways, one of which is assisted by digital tools (Crowther et al, 2020;Ghai & Zipp, 2020). The supporting tool in question is a sports skill test tool.…”