Scaling the cricket pitch to fit junior players

Abstract

Studies 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.

The Role of Nonlinear Pedagogy in Supporting the Design of Modified Games in Junior Sports

“…Mini-tennis condition of practice was found to increase the rallies length and the percentage of forehands (Fitzpatrick et al, 2017). Similar effects of scaling equipment (e.g., smaller and lighter ball, lower net) and playing area have been found in basketball, volleyball, cricket, football, and badminton, as children performed better skills, had more opportunities to practice skills (e.g., dribbling), and play matches that further look like adult form of the game (Hadlow et al, 2017;Dancy and Murphy, 2020;Ortega-Toro et al, 2020;Harwood et al, 2021).…”

Effect of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage on Bowling-Specific Motor Skills in Male Adolescent Cricketers

“…Participants were instructed to bowl and hit a 1 × 4 m target placed longitudinally along the wicket, 2 m in front of the stumps ( Figure 1 ). This position was selected to replicate a ‘good length’, which is a common target zone for bowlers to aim during training and a match [ 25 ]. The target was also demarcated horizontally from left to right into yellow-, orange-, and red-coloured zones, respectively, for accuracy of bowling direction ( Figure 1 ).…”

Mathematical Calculus Modeling in Improving the Teaching Performance of Shot Put

“…The basic expression form of the formula is: / ( ) d dt mV F  . We substitute the data measured in the actual game into the differential equation of particle motion to obtain the horizontal displacement of the shot put under two different stress conditions [2]. We use SPSS to test the correlation and difference as the conclusion to provide the basis.…”