Emergence of Skilled Behaviors in Professional, Amateur and Junior Cricket Batsmen During a Representative Training Scenario

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the emergence of skilled behaviors, in the form of actions, cognitions and emotions, between professional state level cricket batters and their lesser skilled counterparts. Twenty-two male cricket batsmen (n = 6 state level; n = 8 amateur grade club level, n = 8 junior state representative level) participated in a game scenario training session against right arm pace bowlers (n = 6 amateur senior club). The batsmen were tasked with scoring as many runs as possible during a simulated limited-overs game. The actions, cognitions, and emotions of each batsmen were recorded in situ with findings showing differences between state level players and those lesser skilled. State level batsmen played more scoring shots and scored more runs, underpinned by superior bat–ball contact and technical efficiency. Furthermore, the state player’s cognitive evaluations of their own performance differed from junior batters, with more reported strategies based on an external outcome focus, such as where to score runs, rather than a focus on internal processes, such as making technical changes. State level batsmen also reported lower levels of nervousness compared with junior level batsmen. These results highlight the importance of viewing the emergence of skilled behavior as multi-faceted, rather than simply the acquisition of superior execution and technical proficiency.

Performance Advantages of Left-Handed Cricket Batting Talent

“…These findings support Loffing (2017) examination of left-handed overrepresentation in sports that have significant temporal demands, which are reportedly greater in the men's game due to faster bowling speeds (Felton et al, 2019). The performance advantage observed for OAC LHD batters may therefore be explained due to increased temporal demands within the older age group competition compared with the younger age group competition (Pyne et al, 2006;Connor et al, 2018). One other possible explanation for the contrasting differences in left-handedness prevalence and performance advantages is the degree to which there is competition for selection.…”

Moderating factors influence the relative age effect in Australian cricket

“…Interceptive timing tasks, such as batting, would likely benefit from greater strength and power production (Miyaguchi & Demura, 2012), due to its role in producing faster bat swing velocity (DeRenne & Szymanski, 2009). In cricket, the ability to produce a high peak bat velocity alongside superior bat-ball contacts, are important factors when playing attacking strokes (Connor, Farrow & Renshaw, 2018). For example, Penn & Spratford (2012) highlighted in their review that state level batsmen exhibit lower peak bat velocity (15.22 ± 2.96 m/s; Elliott et al, 1993) than international level batsmen (21.20 ± 1.80 m/s; (Stuelcken, Portus & Mason, 2005) when playing an off-drive against bowlers.…”

“…However, bat swing velocity is not the sole factor in successfully intercepting an object powerfully. It is imperative to note that successfully intercepting a cricket ball also requires superior visuomotor skills (Connor, Farrow & Renshaw, 2018). Therefore, the performance benefits associated with early physical maturation are only likely to only be a temporary performance advantage.…”

Defining cricket batting expertise from the perspective of elite coaches

“…Research into cricket batting expertise has had a strong focus on the individual and their skill capabilities. For example, a cricket batter's technical skills [4,5], perceptual capabilities (with particular reference to anticipation) [6,7] and psychological traits [8] have all been independently investigated. Possessing superior technical abilities, such as earlier initiation of movements, are thought to allow for better execution when striking a cricket ball (i.e., spatial accuracy), and has been examined empirically by manipulating bat width to compare the performance of different skill level batters [9].…”