The biomechanics of batting research at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been
conducted in conjunction with elite ECB batting coaches, and has
focused on techniques associated with straight drive power hitting in
both male and female elite batters.
The research has demonstrated that carry distance in male batters
is related to faster bat speeds at impact, impacts within the 4.5 x 2
cm sweet spot, separation between the pelvis and thorax in the
transverse plane at the initiation of the downswing, lead elbow
extension during the downswing, and wrist uncocking during the
downswing.
Our research has also demonstrated that male batters have greater
separation between the pelvis and thorax in the transverse plane at
the initiation of the downswing, and extended their elbows more during
the downswing than female batters. This contributes to the greater bat
speed, ball launch speeds and ball carry distance observed in male
batters.
The batting research conducted has also focused on methods of
coaching batters, where movements of a batter facing bowlers, bowling
machine and a Sidearm training aid were compared. Significantly
earlier timing of front foot initiation and completion were found in
the sidearm condition when compared with the bowler and bowling
machine conditions. Batters also had a greater backswing when facing
the bowling machine compared with facing the side arm or a bowler,
lower bat speeds when facing the bowling machine, and moved their
centre of mass further forwards during the front foot stride when
facing the sidearm.
Papers
Peploe, C., McErlain-Naylor, S.A., Harland, A.R. and King, M.A., 2019. Relationships between technique and bat speed, post-impact ball speed, and carry distance during a range hitting task in cricket. Human Movement Science, 63, 34-44. DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2018.11.004
Peploe, C., McErlain-Naylor, A.A., Harland, A.R. and King, M.A., 2018. Relationships between impact location and post-impact ball speed, bat torsion, and ball direction in cricket batting. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(12), 1407-1414. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1389484
Peploe, C., King, M. and Harland, A., 2014. The effects of different delivery methods on the movement kinematics of elite cricket batsmen in repeated front foot drives. Procedia Engineering, 72, 220-225. DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2014.06.039
McErlain-Naylor, S.A., Peploe, C., Grimley, J., Deshpande, Y., Felton, P.J. and King, M.A., 2021. Comparing power hitting kinematics between skilled male and female cricket batters. Journal of Sports Sciences. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1934289
