Over the past 3 years PitchVision has been integrated into sport science research as part of Laurence Houghton’s PhD at The University of Western Australia. As this research program draws to a close we’ve taken time out to review our journey with the sport science community and the resulting partnership with ACE cricket academy. So sit back and enjoy this exclusive inside story.

Laurence’s PhD involved the development of a prolonged, simulated batting innings (named BATEX) for testing and training in cricket.

To ensure sport science in cricket gains ground with the extensive research already done in other team sports (particularly football). The unique demands of cricket batting made it necessary to replicate the typical running patterns of a one-day hundred in a standardised research protocol. BATEX was then used to investigate possible factors that contribute to fatigue during prolonged innings.

To address some of the shortcomings of traditional net training. For example, in the late Bob Woolmer's book (“Bob Woolmer’s Art and Science of Cricket”) some of the inherent problems with net training were highlighted, including, the issues of batting:

• in enclosed nets for < 20 min
• on a different surface to match-day
• using old balls
• without fielders
• with bowlers alternating after every delivery
• with ball delivery times not reflecting the timings of a match
• with batsmen not running-between-the-wickets
• while focusing predominately on execution of correct technique rather than tactical decision making

In light of the above, BATEX was designed to include six, 20 min, 5 over batting stages with running-between-the-wickets requirements reflective of typical scenarios that occur in matches (e.g. Stage 3 is ‘Fighting Back’, Stage 4 is ‘Powerplay’).

PitchVision technology was integrated with BATEX to allow field settings to match the requirements of the six batting scenarios. By providing batsmen with feedback of shot placement in relation to the fielders (via a computer screen), a more realistic environment was created for testing and training.

Running-between-the-wicket demands were cued in BATEX using audio files (similar to the ‘Beep’ test) which are now available as part of the PitchVision online academy course: "How to instantly improve net practice with BATEX".

The running-between-the-wicket demands of BATEX were determined from extensive analysis of data from T20 and ODI World Cups and several Test match series.

Further checks were done by using GPS tracking to ensure the movement patterns during BATEX reflected real matches. It was concluded that BATEX reflected the demands of a high-intensity ODI hundred. BATEX was then used to assess the physiological and biomechanical responses to prolonged batting. Various parameters were measured during the simulation, including:

Running-between-the-wicket-times (including turn times and sprint times)

• Heart rates
• Jump height fatigue
• Changes in elastic properties of tendon (Achilles)
• Body temperature
• Sweat rates
• Blood lactate
• Blood glucose
• Ratings of perceived exertion
• Concentration tests
• Ball line, length and speed
• Percentage of good bat-ball contacts

 Throughout Laurence’s PhD a large database of the BATEX performance parameters have been collated from grade cricketers in Western Australia. This data allowed comparison between high- (1st and 2nd grade) and low- (3rd and 4th grade) grade cricketers. For example, high-grade batsmen had a greater percentage of good bat-ball contacts during BATEX (70%) when compared to low-grade batsmen (58%).

To allow a fair test, PitchVision was used to make sure that all batsmen received deliveries of similar line, length and speed during BATEX. It was not surprising that better batsman more consistently and effectively executed shots when under physical stress, but it’s reassuring that BATEX was able to discriminate between playing level.

From the lab to the academy

The BATEX performance database, in particular, the running-between-the-wicket times, has been a valuable asset to ACE cricket academy (within The University of Western Australia). The ACE academy runs across 6 months (full-time program) during the Australian summer and typically has players between the ages of 18-21 (often from the UK). Batsmen of this age are frequently marked as having ‘potential’ but have yet to get into the routine of batting for prolonged periods and making ‘big daddy’ hundreds (perhaps due to always batting in the nets for less than 20 minutes without being physically tested?).

BATEX has been used to address this issue at ACE cricket academy.

Academy players also receive a full report of their running-between-the-wicket times and physiological responses, and are ranked in relation to the BATEX performance database. ACE cricket academy is world-class academy and their use of BATEX and partnership with PitchVision has ensured they stay at the forefront.

 

An example of the ACE cricket academy program at The University of Western Australia. Note the integration of BATEX and PitchVision into the program.

 

PitchVision™ technology being used at ACE cricket academy. The players have the luxury of instant front- and side-on video feedback and are able to review their video online after each session. Inset: Inside the analysis van!

The ACE cricket academy strength and conditioning program has also benefited from research on plyometric training from Laurence’s PhD.

BATEX was used to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week, lower body, preseason,  plyometric training program on running-between-the-wicket times (plyometric training involves explosive jumping exercises). It was concluded that the plyometric training program increased jumps heights (10%) and had possible benefits on running-between-the-wicket times during BATEX.

Elements of this plyometric training program have now been integrated into the ACE cricket academy strength and conditioning program. If you wish to get a taster check out the PitchVision online academy course:  "The Simple, Overlooked: A 5-Week Preseason Training Program to Improve Balance for Cricket".

The PhD research has seen the development of BATEX into an effective tool for assessing batting-specific fitness and for preparing ACE academy players to be able to combine the skill, concentration, and fitness demands required for a prolonged innings.

Moreover, BATEX is now ready to be used in future scientific investigations that explore innovative ways to help you bat for longer!

• “Movement patterns and physical strain during a novel, simulated cricket batting by innings (BATEX)” by Houghton L, Dawson B, Rubenson J, and Tobin M. In Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 29, pg 801-809, 2011.
• “Performance during a simulated cricket batting innings (BATEX): Reliability and discrimination between playing standards” by Houghton L, Dawson B, and Rubenson J. In Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 29, pg 1097-1103, 2011.