Comparison of player movement patterns between 1-day and test cricket

J Strength Cond Res. 2011 May;25(5):1368-73. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181da7899.

Abstract

Physical demands of cricket presumably vary by both game format and performance level. Differences in player movement patterns between 2 game formats (1 day and multiday) and 2 levels of elite performance (state and international) were quantified with global positioning system technology. Five movement categories were established, and 15 movement pattern variables were reported. Data from state (n = 42, 200 files) and international (n = 12, 63 files) cricketers were scaled to hourly values to compare movement demands. Cricketers generally covered similar distances in both formats, except for state 1-day fielders who covered moderately greater distance (~0.7 km·h⁻¹ more; 21 ± 8%; mean ± 90% confidence interval) than state multiday (first-class) fielders. State 1-day cricketers also covered small to moderately greater distances (running 41 ± 13%; striding 38 ± 16%; sprinting 39 ± 36%) in the faster movement patterns and consequently had moderately less recovery time (13-67%) between high-intensity efforts as first-class cricketers. Comparisons of movements between performance levels revealed similar total distances between state and international cricketers. However, Test fielders covered moderately greater (29-48%) distances at the higher-intensity movement patterns (running, striding, and sprinting) than first-class fielders. In summary, although movement patterns were broadly similar between formats and levels, it appears that one day cricket (compared with multiday games) and test matches (compared with state-level competition) require more higher-intensity running. Conditioning coaches should train state and international 1-day cricket players similarly, but should account for the higher physical demands of international multiday cricket.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Physical Education and Training / methods*
  • Physical Exertion / physiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Queensland
  • Running / physiology
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Time and Motion Studies
  • Walking / physiology
  • Young Adult