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Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, Canberra, Australia; and 3Sport Science Exercise and Health, University of
Western Australia, Crawey, Western Australia, Australia
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION
C
Petersen, CJ, Pyne, DB, Portus, MR, and Dawson, BT. Comparison onditioning coaches monitor the workload or
of player movement patterns between 1-day and test cricket. game demands of players in most sports to balance
J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1368–1373, 2011—Physical demands the amount of conditioning and recovery. Elite
of cricket presumably vary by both game format and performance cricketers participate in a mixture of 1-day and
level. Differences in player movement patterns between 2 game
multiday games at either the domestic (state) or international
level during a long competitive season. Some cricketers also
formats (1 day and multiday) and 2 levels of elite performance (state
play in lucrative Twenty20 (T20) league cricket. However,
and international) were quantified with global positioning system
methods to quantify differences in physical demands between
technology. Five movement categories were established, and 15
the various game formats and levels of performance in cricket
movement pattern variables were reported. Data from state (n = 42, are lacking. Time–motion data on the movement demands of
200 files) and international (n = 12, 63 files) cricketers were scaled elite cricketers is needed to assist conditioning coaches
to hourly values to compare movement demands. Cricketers develop periodized training plans.
generally covered similar distances in both formats, except for state Cricket is unique in that 3 different formats are played at the
1-day fielders who covered moderately greater distance (;0.7 elite level (T20, 1 day and multiday). Different names are given to
kmh21 more; 21 6 8%; mean 6 90% confidence interval) than various types of games; international 1-day cricket is called 1-Day
state multiday (first-class) fielders. State 1-day cricketers also International (ODI), whereas domestic 1-day cricket is simply
covered small to moderately greater distances (running 41 6 13%; called 1-Day cricket. In the multiday formats, 4-day (termed first-
striding 38 6 16%; sprinting 39 6 36%) in the faster movement class) cricket is played domestically, whereas 5-day Test cricket is
patterns and consequently had moderately less recovery time (13– played between international teams. Twenty20 cricket is the
67%) between high-intensity efforts as first-class cricketers. shortest format and is simply called T20 domestic or T20
international depending on the respective level of competition.
Comparisons of movements between performance levels revealed
The emerging formats of the game, and the pace of development,
similar total distances between state and international cricketers.
are challenging conditioning coaches’ prescription of game-
However, Test fielders covered moderately greater (29–48%)
specific conditioning and recovery programs.
distances at the higher-intensity movement patterns (running, Conducting a time–motion analysis of a sport’s movement
striding, and sprinting) than first-class fielders. In summary, patterns is a common precursor for designing conditioning
although movement patterns were broadly similar between programs. In cricket, this practice is relatively new and the first
formats and levels, it appears that one day cricket (compared 2 published studies using video analysis appeared in 2007. The
with multiday games) and test matches (compared with state- first study investigated first-class (English County) fielding of
level competition) require more higher-intensity running. the cover-point position in 3 games (27 observations) and
Conditioning coaches should train state and international 1-day predicted fielders cover 15.5 km in a 6-hour day (9). In the
cricket players similarly, but should account for the higher second study, the movement patterns of 18 batsmen scoring
physical demands of international multiday cricket. a century in ODI (n = 5) or Test (n = 13) cricket were
investigated: ;99% (Test) and 98% (ODI) of the batsmen’s
KEY WORDS fast bowling, fielding, batting, Global Positioning time was spent in stationary, walking, and jogging movement
System patterns (3). The time-consuming nature of these video-based
studies resulted in only comparatively small sample sizes.
Address correspondence to Carl J. Petersen, carlpetersen2003@yahoo.co.uk. However, with the increased reliability and the practical
25(5)/1368–1373 convenience of Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring,
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research notational analysis and manually controlled computer tracking
Ó 2011 National Strength and Conditioning Association software in sports is being superseded by GPS technology (7).
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A GPS unit receives time signals from a network of 27 the study was provided by the Ethics Committee of the
operational satellites in orbit around the earth. The satellites Australian Institute of Sport.
first set the clock in the GPS unit by synchronizing it with the
Procedures
atomic clock in the satellite and then constantly send
All participating players were fitted with a MinimaxX (Catapult
information (at the speed of light) about exact time to the
Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) 5-Hz GPS unit positioned
receiver. The distance to the satellite is then calculated by
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First-Class and International Cricket Movement Demands
TABLE 1. Hourly physical demands of State 1-day and First class (State 4-day) fielding and fast bowling.*
Distance
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Walking (0–2.0 ms21) (m) 2,626 6 297 2,810 6 487† 2,388 6 379† 2,116 6 562
Jogging (2.0–3.5 ms21) (m) 684 6 158‡ 574 6 185 773 6 171‡{ 520 6 228
Running (3.5–4 ms21) (m) 154 6 40‡ 118 6 42 159 6 34‡# 104 6 48
Striding (4.0–5.0 ms21) (m) 216 6 47† 187 6 65 169 6 42‡# 117 6 60
Sprinting (5+ ms21) (m) 344 6 93† 334 6 134 138 6 65†{ 96 6 64
Total distance (m) 4,026 6 496 4,024 6 716 3,627 6 535‡ 2,954 6 822
Time
Walking and jogging (s) 3,414 6 40 3,448 6 104† 3,470 6 59 3,504 6 72†
Running, striding, and sprinting (s) 149 6 22† 132 6 40 107 6 25‡# 73 6 32
Sprint
Number (#) 20 6 3 20 6 7 8 6 4‡# 5 63
Mean sprint distance (m) 17 6 3 17 6 3 15 6 3 17 6 6†
Maximum sprint distance (m) 42 6 13 44 6 12 42 6 17 37 6 18
Maximum sprinting speed (ms21) 8.1 6 0.5 8.4 6 0.7† 8.4 6 1.1†# 7.7 6 1.2
High-intensity efforts
Number (#) 53 6 8† 50 6 22 39 6 9‡# 26 6 13
Mean effort duration (s) 2.8 6 0.2† 2.7 6 0.4 2.8 6 0.3# 2.9 6 0.6
Recovery between (s) 69 6 10 83 6 35‡ 99 6 28 188 6 134‡{
hourly distance covered by fast bowlers in 1-day domestic and Surprisingly, 1-day domestic fielders covered small to
first-class cricket reveals that the (scaled) total distance was ;4 moderately greater distances (6–54%; ES: 0.40–0.77) in the
kmh21, with a sprint distance of 0.3 kmh21, in both game faster movement patterns (jogging to sprinting) than ODI
formats. Likewise, fielders covered 3.0–3.6 kmh21 with only fielders.
;0.1 kmh21 at sprinting intensity in both game formats. In multiday cricket, fielders covered 5.9–6.7 km with
Fielders in international cricket covered a similar hourly distance 0.2–0.3 km at sprinting intensities. There were small to
(3.4 vs. 3.3 kmh21) in ODI and Test formats, with ,0.2 kmh21 moderately greater distances (7–42%; ES: 0.24–0.77) covered
at sprinting intensity. across all movement patterns at the international (Test)
Tables 1 and 2 also indicate the magnitude of difference compared with the state (first-class) performance level. Test
between state and international cricket across the different fielders also had a moderately greater (68 vs. 51; ES: 0.70 6
playing positions. Extrapolating the data to the absolute 0.27) number of high-intensity efforts, with moderately less
movement characteristics covered in an innings of 1-day (1- mean recovery time (116 vs. 188 seconds; ES: 0.70 6 0.27)
day domestic and ODI) or a session of multiday (first class between these high-intensity efforts as first-class fielders.
and Test) cricket respectively, reveals the following: fast There was substantial variability in the time motion
bowlers in 1-day domestic and ODI cricket covered 14.1 6 measures of 1-day and multiday cricket. For 1-day (ODI
1.7 and 15.0 6 2.4 km (mean 6 SD) in an innings, and 1-day domestic) cricket the 2 most variable categories
respectively, with 1.2 6 0.3 km at sprinting intensity for both were the distance covered sprinting (CV range 26–137%) and
levels of performance. The only substantial difference the number of sprints (16–113%). The 2 least variable
between the movement patterns of fast bowlers was that measures were the time spent walking and jogging (1–2%)
ODI fast bowlers covered moderately greater distance (;1.1 and the total distance covered (14–32%). Similarly, for
km more; 12%; ES: 0.63 6 0.59) walking than 1-day domestic multiday (first-class and Test match) cricket, the 2 most
fast bowlers. Fielders in ODI and 1-day domestic cricket variable time–motion measures were the number of sprints
covered 12.0 6 3.1 and 12.7 6 1.8 km, respectively, with (range 55–102%) and the distance covered sprinting (range
0.3 6 0.3 and 0.5 6 0.2 km covered at sprinting intensity. 61–149%). The least variable measures were time spent
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TABLE 2. Hourly physical demands of ODI and Test (International 5-day) fielding and fast bowling.*†
Fielding
Fast bowling
Workload variable ODI (n = 21) ODI (n = 17) Test (n = 25)
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Distance
Walking = 0–2.0 ms21 (m) 2,936 6 539‡ 2,419 6 708 2,263 6 629§
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Jogging = 2.0–3.5 ms21 (m) 648 6 220 616 6 272 621 6 135§
Running = 3.5–4 ms21 (m) 145 6 39 147 6 62 137 6 44‡
Striding = 4.0–5.0 ms21 (m) 208 6 53 159 6 89 166 6 62‡
Sprinting = 5+ ms21 (m) 341 6 76 90 6 73 155 6 71k‡
Total distance (m) 4,279 6 677 3,430 6 883 3,342 6 759§
Time
Walking and jogging (s) 3,444 6 36‡ 3,504 6 46‡ 3,496 6 30
Running, striding and sprinting (s) 143 6 27 91 6 45 104 6 30{‡
Sprint
Number (#) 19 6 4 664 8 6 4k‡
Mean sprint distance (m) 18 6 3§ 15 6 4 18 6 5k§
Maximum sprint distance (m) 49 6 17 34 6 12 43 6 15{§
Maximum sprinting speed (ms21) 8.2 6 0.8 7.9 6 1.2 8.5 6 0.9{‡
High-intensity efforts
Number (#) 52 6 11 34 6 17 34 6 11‡
Mean effort duration (s) 2.8 6 0.2 2.6 6 0.3 3.1 6 0.3k§
Recovery between (s) 73 6 21 134 6 73§ 116 6 37
*ODI = 1-day international.
†Values are mean 6 SD.
‡Moderate magnitudes of difference between performance levels.
§Small magnitudes of difference between performance levels.
k
Moderate magnitudes of difference between game formats for the fielding position.
{Small magnitudes of difference between game formats for the fielding position.
walking and jogging (range 1–3%) and maximum sprinting Training and recovery interventions in the short- and medium-
speed (range 9–17%). term ultimately depend on the likely absolute game load.
In state-level cricket, the intensity of 1-day cricket (fast
DISCUSSION bowling and fielding) is greater than the multiday cricket
Cricket conditioning coaches are seeking detailed game format. However, with fielding at the international level, there
analysis to increase the specificity of training drills and was little difference between ODI and Test formats. Future
recovery interventions for both 1-day and test cricket. Elite analysis will determine if this finding also applies to
cricketers play a mixture of 1-day and multiday games and international fast bowlers. Differences in the rules between
more accomplished players also play a combination of first- formats may be a factor. For example, the game load of fast
class and international cricket. Multiday cricket, had an bowlers is influenced by the bowling restrictions in one day
absolute greater physical load, yet with the exception of state cricket (bowlers are limited to 10 overs per game). Multiday
1-day fielders, had a similar physical intensity as 1-day cricket. fast bowlers are therefore likely to bowl a greater number of
The intensity of international cricket was higher in the overs per hour; however, as seen with state-level fast bowlers
multiday format; however, in 1-day cricket players had similar this potential for a greater work rate may not be utilized.
physical demands between performance levels. These find- Research highlights fast bowlers miss through injury, about
ings should be useful for conditioning coaches to prescribe 16% of all potential playing time (5). Risks for bowling injury
specific conditioning and recovery work. include a greater injury risk in the second innings of a game,
Cricketers are unique in that they play a mixture of game or when the follow on rule is enforced in a test match (6).
formats, ranging from 3 hours to 5 days. This analysis has Furthermore, there appears to be a dual fast bowling
primarily focused on comparing the intensity or hourly threshold beyond which the injury risk increases and
movement demands of 1-day (7 hours) and multiday games. maintaining a workload that is too low (,123 deliveries
However, from a conditioning point of view, it is important to per week) or infrequent (5 or more days between bowling
also consider the total volume of these different formats of sessions) is an equally significant risk factor as maintaining
cricket when planning and modifying training programs. a high bowling workload (.188 deliveries per week, or ,2
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First-Class and International Cricket Movement Demands
days between bowling sessions) (2). Elite captains tend to be innings, whereas 1-day state and ODI bowlers cover 13–17
well aware of these facts and the importance of managing km. Overall, international cricket required 12–34% greater
their fast bowlers’ bowling workload. physical demand than academy level cricket.
Overall, the duration of 1-day cricket (3.5 hours) is only Cricketers experience substantially different workloads
;60% of the daily fielding required in multiday cricket (3- 3 depending on their role within a particular game. Understand-
2-hour sessions). Nonetheless, in absolute terms multiday ing the degree of variability in the different workload measures
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cricket required 40–70% (5–10 km) more distance in a day, enables conditioning coaches to prescribe position-specific
which highlights the greater overall physical load of multiday low-, medium-, and high-intensity training drills and activities.
cricket. Multiday cricketers need the endurance to sustain Although the total distance covered in a game (meters or
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physical performance over 6 hours and as over multiple days. kilometers) is intuitively appealing, the low game-to-game
Additionally, multiday fast bowlers at certain times (when variability of this measure prevents the distinction between an
performing extended bowling spells) may perform for long easy and hard game, in terms of physical demand. In contrast,
periods during the day at a much greater intensity than fast sprinting distance has greater game-to-game variability
bowlers in 1-day cricket. enabling the classification of overall game physical demand;
There are similar patterns of movement in 1-day cricket however, the reduced reliability and validity of this measure (7)
between state and international games. The only clear differ- need to be taken into account. The combination of total and
ences, yet practically inconsequential, were that ODI fast bowlers sprinting distance should enable conditioning coaches to
covered moderately greater ground (;1.1 km more; 12%) confidently prescribe interval-based conditioning training.
walking than state 1-day fast bowlers, and state 1-day fielders had
small to moderately (8–53%) higher physical demands per
innings at the higher-intensity movement patterns, than ODI PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
fielders. Given the low intensity of walking, and the modest Assessing the game load that cricketers undertake is
absolute distances involved at the higher-intensity movement important for conditioning coaches wishing to prescribe
patterns (differences of ,0.2 km), these differences between 1- training drills and recovery interventions between matches.
day performance levels are practically irrelevant to conditioning. Elite cricketers often play a mixture of international- and
In multiday cricket, there were clear differences in state-level cricket within the same season. The international
movement demands between performance levels. Compar- or state conditioning coach must take into account the prior
isons between first-class and Test fielders showed that per day, game load to ensure an appropriate training load is prescribed.
Test fielders had moderately higher demands in the distance Furthermore, cricket is unique with players often involved in
covered running (198 6 103 m more), striding (296 6 139 m different types of game formats ranging in duration from 3 to 5
more) and sprinting (351 6 159 m more), and a moderately days. Our data reveal that only fielders in state 1-day cricket
higher number of sprints (17 6 8 more) and high-intensity (who required 19–53% greater intensity in the faster
activity efforts (50 6 26 more). Test cricket is widely regarded movement patterns) operated at a higher-intensity than in
as the pinnacle of cricket, consequently, the increased multiday cricket. Multiday cricket elicited a higher load at the
importance, rewards (prestige, financial) and exposure (larger international level. Conditioning coaches should train state
number of ground spectators and television exposure of and international 1-day cricket players similarly but should
millions) may explain the increased effort and movement account for the higher physical demands of international
intensity of the international fielders. Future work is needed to multiday cricket. With similar intensity across game formats,
determine whether other positions in Test cricket also have the much longer duration of multiday cricket is the primary
higher physical demands. Irrespective of why these differ- consideration in prescribing training and recovery. Condi-
ences occur, conditioning coaches are able to use these data to tioning coaches can also use these movement pattern data in
obtain insights into the demands faced by their players combination with the season schedule to periodize training
playing domestic or international cricket). through the off-, pre, and competitive-seasons.
Recent data (8) demonstrate increased physical game
demands from the academy to international competitive
levels. Academy level fast bowlers cover an estimated 22.6 6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
4.0 km (mean 6 SD) in a day (3- 3 2-hour sessions), whereas The authors acknowledge the cooperation of the players and
we estimate first-class fast bowlers cover 24.1 6 4.3 kmd21. the support of the coaching staff of all 6 Australian State teams
Similarly, for first-class and Test fielders our estimate of and the national Australian team. Funding for the study was
a daily total distance of 17.7 6 4.9 and 20.0 6 4.6 km, provided by the Cricket Australia Sport Science Sport
respectively, is greater than the 14.9 6 3.0 and 15.5 km Medicine Unit. The results of the present study do not
estimated for academy level (8) and English county fielders constitute endorsement of any product by the authors or
(9), respectively. Likewise, comparisons between academy the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The
level and senior elite 1-day cricket show a similar trend. project was funded by Cricket Australia’s Sport Science Sport
Academy-level fast bowlers cover ;11–15 km in a 1-day Medicine Unit.
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4. Hopkins, WG. How to interpret changes in an athletic performance 9. Rudkin, S and O’Donoghue, P. Time–motion analysis of first-class
test. Sportscience 8: 1–7, 2004. cricket fielding. J Sci Med Sport 11: 604–607, 2008.
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.