A biomechanical analysis of fast bowling variations

The ability for bowlers to successfully bowl different length fast bowling deliveries is an important but challenging task. This study investigated fast bowling pitch length delivery types using a full body three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analysis. 21 county fast bowlers performed 48 deliveries (12 yorkers, 12 bouncers and 24 stock balls) with an eighteen camera (MX3) Vicon motion analysis system (250 Hz) and a Kistler force plate (1000 Hz) recording each trial. The bowlers were found to be most consistent at bowling bouncers (98% success rate) compared to stock and yorker deliveries (46% and 25% success rate respectively). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in ball release angle and ball release height between the three delivery types. Ball – finger 2D orientation angle, wrist angle, 2D orientation of hand segment, thoracic angle and 2D orientation of the thoracic were the main technique parameters which explained from 31% to 89% of the variation in ball release angle and ball release height percentage predictive equations. The thoracic angle and wrist angle time histories (back foot contact to ball release) had periods that were significantly different across the three types of delivery. Furthermore, SPM analysis revealed significant changes (p = 0.03) in wrist moments for bouncers compared with yorkers and stock balls between front foot contact and ball release. In conclusion, this study provides an understanding of the technique parameters most associated with different length deliveries in cricket fast bowling. These results provide a foundation for coaching and future research, in particularly investigating the kinematic and kinetic factors linked with different length fast bowling deliveries and different action classifications.