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

Rian H Crowther; Adam D Gorman; Wayne A Spratford; Mark Sayers; Alex Kountouris

doi:10.1080/17461391.2019.1691269

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

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

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

Rian H Crowther, Adam D Gorman, Wayne A Spratford, Mark Sayers and Alex Kountouris

European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.20(8), pp.1005-1012

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1691269

PMID: 31698997

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Abstract

spin bowling

pitch

cricket

environmental constraints

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.

Details

Title: Examining environmental constraints in sport: Spin characteristics of two cricket pitches with contrasting soil properties
Authors: Rian H Crowther (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Adam D Gorman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Wayne A Spratford (Author) - University of Canberra
Mark Sayers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Alex Kountouris (Author) - Cricket Australia
Publication details: European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.20(8), pp.1005-1012
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1691269
ISSN: 1536-7290
PMID: 31698997
Copyright note: Copyright (c) 2020. The author's accepted version is available here under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). The definitive version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1691269
Organisation Unit: School of Health - High Performance Sport; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450789802621
Output Type: Journal article

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