Which physical attributes discriminate between faster and slower elite cricket pace bowlers of each sex?

Abstract

Background: Ball release speed is an important quality of successful performance in pace bowlers. There is limited evidence available regarding the association between physical attributes and ball release speed in elite male pace bowlers, and no studies that have investigated the physical attributes associated with ball release speed in female pace bowlers. The purpose of this study therefore, was to elucidate which physical attributes discriminates between faster and slower elite cricket pace bowlers of each sex. Methods: Ball release speed and physical testing data from sixty-three elite male and thirty-one elite female pace bowlers from the 2014/15 season to the 2020/21 season were retrospectively analysed. Pace bowlers were classified as either “slower” (females: < 97.8 km/h; males: < 122.9 km/h) or “faster” (females: > 97.8 km/h; males: > 122.9 km/h) via a median split. From the five physical tests, six absolute variables were collected. Each absolute variable was normalised to body weight resulting in a total of twelve physical attributes. These twelve physical attributes were compared between the slower and faster groups for each sex. The differences between groups were compared using magnitude-based inferences (Cohen’s d). Results: Faster male bowlers produced greater absolute (d = 0.25) and relative (d = 0.62) peak force in the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), as well as greater absolute (d = 0.39) and relative (d = 0.61) countermovement jump (CMJ) height compared to their slower counterparts. Faster female bowlers also produced greater absolute (d = 0.68) and relative (d = 0.77) peak force in the IMTP, greater 1RM bench pull strength (d = 0.45) and superior run of three performance (relative average, d = 1.22; relative best, d = 1.12; average, d = 0.49; and best d = 0.40) and superior 1RM bench pull strength (d = 0.45). Discussion: Greater lower body maximal isometric strength discriminates between faster and slower bowlers, irrespective of sex. Lower body power (assumed via CMJ height) appears to be an important physical attribute for faster male bowlers. Superior anaerobic capacities separated faster female pace bowlers from their slower counterparts. Further research should assess rate of force development qualities of the lower and upper body musculature associated with desirable biomechanics, to provide a more complete understanding of the physical attributes that may distinguish between slower and faster bowlers of each sex. Conflict of interest statement: The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Anna Saw, Dr Kevin Sims and Dr Alex Kountouris from Cricket Australia, for the support, access and use of ball speed and physical testing data. This work was supported by a Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship as a part of a doctorate degree.