Cricketers are not tickled pink by the new coloured ball

Robert Maguire; Matthew A. Timmis; Luke Wilkins; David L. Mann; Eldre Beukes; Alice Homer; James A. Johnstone; Joshua M. Adie; Derek Arnold; Peter M. Allen

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.08.006

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Cricketers are not tickled pink by the new coloured ball

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Cricketers are not tickled pink by the new coloured ball

Robert Maguire, Matthew A. Timmis, Luke Wilkins, David L. Mann, Eldre Beukes, Alice Homer, James A. Johnstone, Joshua M. Adie, Derek Arnold and Peter M. Allen

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.24(2), pp.183-188

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.08.006

PMID: 32843287

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Abstract

Colour

Cricket

Lighting

Performance

Safety

Visual perception

Objectives Cricket administrators have started scheduling long-form matches which finish at night and are played with a pink as opposed to a red ball. However, there are reports that the pink ball may introduce new dangers and alter performance. The aim of this study was to investigate professional cricketers’ opinions about the visibility of the pink ball whilst playing in different lighting conditions (afternoon, dusk and night). Design Purposeful sampling of a cross-section of elite cricketers with pink ball experiences playing in the United Kingdom. Methods Eighty-eight international or first-class professional cricketers completed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale and free text responses to questions covering perceptions of the pink ball, with a particular emphasis on visibility. Results The pink ball was reported as less visible than the red ball when batting (p 0.001) and fielding (p 0.001). Within the three lighting conditions the pink ball was significantly less visible at dusk under floodlights compared to afternoon and night both when batting and fielding (ps 0.001). Free text comments confirmed that visibility of the pink cricket ball was most challenging at dusk (coverage 0.37), and that players sometimes experienced a blurring sensation with the pink ball leaving a visual ‘trail’ when viewed under floodlights (coverage 0.24). Conclusions Results advocate that governing bodies should consider the inclusion of a break in play during dusk to enhance player safety and performance. Empirical research is needed to quantify the risks to player safety in different lighting conditions.

Details

Title: Cricketers are not tickled pink by the new coloured ball
Authors: Robert Maguire - Anglia Ruskin University
Matthew A. Timmis - Anglia Ruskin University
Luke Wilkins - Newcastle University
David L. Mann - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Eldre Beukes - Anglia Ruskin University
Alice Homer - Anglia Ruskin University
James A. Johnstone - Anglia Ruskin University
Joshua M. Adie - Queensland University of Technology
Derek Arnold - The University of Queensland
Peter M. Allen (Corresponding Author) - Anglia Ruskin University
Publication details: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.24(2), pp.183-188
Publisher: Elsevier Australia
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.08.006
ISSN: 1878-1861; 1440-2440
PMID: 32843287
Copyright note: © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991102144802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences