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Performance in a simulated cricket batting innings

(BATEX): Reliability and discrimination between
playing standards
a a a
Laurence Houghton , Brian Dawson & Jonas Rubenson
a
School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth,
WA, Australia
Published online: 14 Jul 2011.

To cite this article: Laurence Houghton , Brian Dawson & Jonas Rubenson (2011) Performance in a simulated cricket batting
innings (BATEX): Reliability and discrimination between playing standards, Journal of Sports Sciences, 29:10, 1097-1103, DOI:
10.1080/02640414.2011.576695

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 Journal of Sports Sciences, July 2011; 29(10): 1097–1103

Performance in a simulated cricket batting innings (BATEX):

Reliability and discrimination between playing standards

LAURENCE HOUGHTON, BRIAN DAWSON, & JONAS RUBENSON

School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

(Accepted 28 March 2011)

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Abstract
The reliability (test–retest) of running-between-the-wickets times and skill performance was assessed during a batting
exercise (BATEX) simulation of 2 h 20 min duration that requires intermittent shuttle running. In addition, performance
and physiological responses (heart rate, sweat rate, rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration) were compared
between high- and low-grade district club batsmen (n ¼ 22, mean + s: age 20 + 2 years, mass 73.4 + 8.5 kg). Running-
between-the-wickets performance was assessed with an infra-red timing system (Swift, Australia) by sampling a 5-m time for
the middle section of the straight-line sprints (singles) and the time to complete 5 m in and out of the turn (5-0-5-m turn
time). Skill performance was rated as a percentage for good bat–ball contacts. Coefficients of variation for running-between-
the-wickets performance and percentage of good bat–ball contacts were both 55%. Percentage of good bat–ball contacts was
greater in the high- than low-grade batsmen (70 + 8 vs. 58 + 9%, P ¼ 0.01). All other variables were similar between grades.
Running-between-the-wickets and skill-performance measures during the BATEX simulation were reliable, thus it can be
used in future research.

Keywords: Fatigue, intermittent exercise, heart rate, sprinting, turning

The introduction of a shorter game format, in

Introduction
Recently, movement patterns of cricket batting have
been documented (Duffield & Drinkwater, 2008;
Petersen, Pyne, Dawson, Portus, & Kellett, 2010).
These findings have been used to assess the extent to
which running demands of a prolonged batting
exercise (BATEX) simulation reflect that of One-
day international cricket (Houghton, Dawson, Ru-
benson, & Tobin, 2011). BATEX requires players to
bat against a bowling machine while completing
intermittent shuttle running (running-between-the-
wickets) over 2 h and 20 min. BATEX simulates a
high-intensity One-day innings since half the protocol
requires full-speed running-between-the-wickets.
BATEX needs to incorporate a reliable running-
between-the-wickets performance assessment. By
doing so, the system could be used in future research
to increase understanding of fatigue in prolonged
batting (Noakes & Durandt, 2000). Also, BATEX
incorporates a subjective assessment of bat–ball
contact as either good or bad (Houghton et al.,
2011; Müller & Abernethy, 2008). However, the
reliability of this assessment in BATEX is unknown.
particular the advent of international Twenty-over
cricket, has continued to challenge the stereotype
that cricket is physically undemanding (Noakes &
Durandt, 2000; Petersen, Pyne, Portus, & Dawson,
2009). Nevertheless, research into the physical
demands of cricket batting is limited (Bartlett,
2003). Therefore, it is important to investigate
possible differences in performance and physiologi-
cal responses of high- and low-standard batsmen.
The purpose of this study was to assess
reliability of running-between-the-wickets and skill-
performance tests during BATEX. In addition,
performance scores and physiological responses were
compared between high- and low-district club-
standard batsmen.
Methods
BATEX
Full details of the development of BATEX are
described in Houghton et al. (2011). Briefly,
BATEX comprises six consecutive, 21-min batting

Correspondence: L. Houghton, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA
6009, Australia. E-mail: laurencehoughton@hotmail.com
ISSN 0264-0414 print/ISSN 1466-447X online Ó 2011 Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2011.576695
 1098 L. Houghton et al.

stages with accompanying match field settings (e.g.
‘‘Building momentum’’; Figure 1). All running-
between-the-wickets occur across the length of
a standard cricket pitch (17.68 m; Figure 2,
Table I) in a netted practice area. The batsman is
instructed to complete a combination of singles
(1 6 17.68 m), 2s (2 6 17.68 m), 3s (3 6 17.68 m)
or 4s (1.5 6 17.68 m – as if the batsman had
completed 1.5 runs before the ball crossed the
boundary). In stages 1, 3, and 5 the batsman runs at
a ‘‘self-selected cruise pace’’, whereas in stages 2, 4,
and 6 all running is at maximum speed. In each stage,
the batsman plays 30 balls (five overs with one ‘‘over’’
being six balls). An electronic bowling machine (e.g.
Jugs, Victoria, Australia) delivers balls every 35 s
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the instructed runs in the over. The PitchVisionTM
system has sensors situated around the netted
practice area (Figure 2) to allow determination of
ball speed, bounce location (line and length), and
prediction of shot direction and distance in relation
to the field settings. The PitchVisionTM information
was presented to the batsman on a computer screen
(Figure 2) after playing a shot and so aided their
decision on when to complete the running demands
in each over (e.g. the batsman could have played
an attacking shot that went past the in-fielders in
the ‘‘Building momentum’’ match setting and so run
a ‘‘2’’).
Research design

(with 80 s of rest between overs) to simulate the

timings of a match. Before each over, the batsman is
told the running-between-the-wickets requirements
for the next six balls (e.g. the instruction could be ‘‘1,
1, 2, and 3’’). The batsman completes the instructed
running after any ball and in any order within the over
(e.g. the batsman may run ‘‘1’’ after the first ball of the
over, ‘‘3’’ after the third ball, ‘‘1’’ after the fourth ball,
and ‘‘2’’ after the sixth ball).
In this study, PitchVisionTM (miSport Ltd., UK)
assisted the batsman’s decision on when to complete
A test–retest design assessed the reliability of
performance scores. Participants were accustomed
to stages 1 and 2 of BATEX at least one week before
Trial 1. In Trial 1, a full BATEX simulation began
after a 2-h pre-test fast (Figure 1). Then, 1–2 weeks
later, at the same time of day and after a 24-h diet
replication, participants again completed BATEX
(Trial 2). In Trial 1, performance and physiological
assessments were compared between playing stan-
dards.

Figure 1. Schematic of the prolonged, intermittent batting exercise (BATEX) simulation. Filled stages are completed at full speed while
unshaded stages are run at the participant’s ‘‘self-selected cruise’’ pace. Each stage is 21 min, with 2.5 min rest between stages except at
‘‘drinks’’, where 4 min rest is given. Earlobe blood samples were taken at sample points 1–4.

Figure 2. Schematic of equipment set-up in the indoor-netted practice area (including PitchVisionTM sensors). Diagram is not to scale.
 Reliability of a simulated cricket batting innings 1099

Table I. The running-between-the-wickets demands required each over during the simulated batting innings (BATEX).

Runs completed in each over of BATEX

BATEX stage and description Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5

1. Building momentum 1, 1 No runs 1, 1, 2 1, 4 1, 4

2. Taking initiative 1, 1 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 4 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 4
3. Fighting back No runs 1 1, 4 2, 3 1, 4
4. Power play 1, 1, 4 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 4 1, 1, 2, 3 1, 1, 4
5. Maintaining tempo 1, 3 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 4 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 4
6. Closing out the game/innings 1, 1, 3, 4 1, 1, 2, 4 1, 1, 4, 1 1, 1, 2 1, 1, 2, 4

Note: Running a ‘‘4’’ is equivalent to running 1.5 runs (as if the batsmen complete these runs before the ball crosses the boundary line).

Table II. Definitions of bat–ball contact categories (adapted from Müller & Abernethy, 2008).
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Bat–ball contact category Definition

Good ‘‘Ball contacted with the blade of the bat (not the handle or gloves) and travelled in a direction post-contact
that was consistent with the pre-contact plane of bat motion’’ (Müller & Abernethy, 2008, p. 50)
Bad ‘‘Ball contacted the blade of the bat but deflected in a different direction to the plane in which the batsman
swung the bat to execute the shot’’ (Müller & Abernethy, 2008, p. 50)
Beaten (no contact) The batsman made an unsuccessful attempt to make contact with the ball using the blade of the bat.
Left (no contact) The batsman did not attempt to make contact with the ball.

performed a standardized warm-up before donning

Participants
Twenty-two male cricket batsmen were recruited
from local cricket clubs (mean + s: age 20 + 2 years,
stature 1.79 + 0.07 m, body mass 73.4 + 8.5 kg).
Two high-grade and two low-grade players ceased
participation after Trial 1 because of illness or work
commitments and were not included in the reliability
analysis. At the time of testing, participants were
playing in high-grade (1st and 2nd) district club
standard (sub-elite, n ¼ 11) or low-grade (3rd and
4th) district club standard (n ¼ 11) and all batted in
the top six of the order. All protocols of the study
were approved by the University’s Human Research
Ethics Committee. All participants were given full
details of the demands of the study before providing
written informed consent.
Procedures
On arrival at the indoor net facility, nude body mass
was determined ( + 0.05 kg, UC-321 Precision
Personal Health Scale, A&D Weighing) before
consuming a standardized muesli bar (31 g, 540 kJ,
20 g carbohydrate) to prepare the batsman for the
prolonged test. In Trial 1, water was freely available
but intake was recorded to allow replication in Trial
2. After stages 2, 4, and 6, a single earlobe capillary
blood sample was assessed for lactate concentration
(Lactate ProTM, KDK Corporation, Kyoto, Japan;
Figure 1). Before starting BATEX, participants
full protective batting equipment (including protec-
tive helmet).
Within each BATEX stage, the pace, line, and
length of deliveries were set according to the
requirements of the simulated match setting (see
Houghton et al., 2011) and recorded using PitchVi-
sionTM. The batsman was able to play front foot shots
to all deliveries. Throughout BATEX, the investiga-
tor assessed skill performance by classifying bat–ball
contact as ‘‘bad’’, ‘‘good’’ or ‘‘no’’ contact (Müller &
Abernethy, 2006, 2008) (Table I). In this study, the
‘‘no’’ contact category was further divided into ‘‘left’’
and ‘‘beaten’’.
After each BATEX stage, rating of perceived
exertion (RPE) was assessed using a 15-point scale
(Borg, 1998). Heart rate was recorded (Polar Team
SystemTM) at 5-s intervals and reported as the mean
for each stage.
Running-between-the-wickets times were sampled
using an infra-red timing system (Swift, Australia).
Specifically, when 2, 3 or 4 runs were completed,
turn time was assessed as the passage of the batsman
from the timing gate situated 5 m from the turn line
(‘‘crease’’) to the same timing gate (see Figure 2)
when he accelerated out of the turn (5-0-5 m turn
time; Draper & Lancaster, 1985). In accordance with
the laws of cricket, the tester checked that the
batsman placed part of his bat beyond the crease
when turning. Turn time was assessed at the bowling
machine end only and so, when running a 3, only the
 1100 L. Houghton et al.
first of the two turns was recorded. During a single
run (i.e. no turning required), a 5-m time was
sampled between the timing gates situated 5 m and
10 m from the turn line (Figure 2). During full-
speed BATEX (stages 2, 4, and 6), the batsmen ran
with the bat carried in one hand and turned on their
perceived stronger side (Houghton, 2010).
Given the prolonged nature of the protocol, at the
midway point participants consumed 4 ml  kg71 of
GatoradeTM (295 + 35 ml, 309 kJ) and 25 g of
carbohydrate (marshmallows, PascallTM, 351 kJ).
On completion of BATEX, the participant towel
dried before final assessment of nude body mass.
Environmental conditions were determined at the
start and finish of trials using a whirling hygrometer
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(Zeal, UK).
Data analysis
Mean 5-m sprint and 5-0-5-m turn time (running-
between-the-wickets time) was calculated for each
BATEX stage. In addition, the mean 5-0-5-m turn
time and 5-m time across stages 2, 4, and 6 were
summed to give an overall running-between-the-
wickets performance time. To compare both 5-m
sprint and 5-0-5-m turn times between trials and
grades, statistical analyses for stages 1, 3, and 5
(running at self-selected pace) and stages 2, 4, and 6
(running at full speed) were carried out separately.
For each BATEX stage, the total number of
attempted shots was calculated by subtracting the
number of deliveries the batsman did not attempt to
play (LEFT) from the total balls received in the stage
(n ¼ 30). The number of good bat–ball contacts
(GOOD) was presented as a percentage of total
attempted shots so that the batsman was not
penalized for deciding to leave a delivery:
% Good bat–ball contacts ¼ (GOOD/[30–LEFT])
6 100
The percentage of good bat–ball contacts was used as
the assessment of skill performance.
Sweat rate was estimated as follows:
Sweat rate (L  h71) ¼ (Dbody mass þ fluid intake)
/batting time,
where it was assumed that a loss of 1 kg body mass
equated to a loss of 1 L of sweat.
Reliability (n ¼ 18) was assessed with change of
mean, typical error (TE), intraclass correlation
coefficient (ICC), and coefficient of variation (CV)
using a spreadsheet created by W.G. Hopkins
(downloaded from http://sportsci.org/resource/stats/).
For each of these statistics, a 90% confidence limit
was calculated (Hopkins, Marshall, Batterham, &
Hanin, 2009). In addition, paired t-tests or a fully
repeated-measures factorial analysis of variance (AN-
OVA: trial 6 stage) compared variables across Trials
1 and 2. Mauchly’s test checked for sphericity and, if
violated, Huynh-Feldt corrections were made.
In Trial 1, data were split into high- (1st and 2nd)
and low-grade (3rd and 4th) standard batsmen.
These two groups were compared using, as appro-
priate, independent t-tests and mixed-design factor-
ial ANOVAs (grade 6 stage). Levene’s test checked
equality of variances.
Effect sizes (ES) were reported as small (40.2),
moderate (0.6–1.19) or large (1.2–1.99) (Cohen,
1988; Hopkins, 2004). All values are reported as
means + standard deviations. Statistical significance
was set at P 50.05. PASWTM statistics (v.18.0.0)
and MicrosoftTM Excel (2003) were used to perform
the statistical analysis.
Results
Test–retest
Dry-bulb temperature was greater in Trial 1 than
Trial 2 (29.5 + 3.08C vs. 27.5 + 1.58C; P ¼ 0.02,
ES ¼ 0.69) and there was a moderate trend for
greater relative humidity in Trial 2 (45 + 14% vs.
52 + 10%; P ¼ 0.09, ES ¼ 0.51).
Overall BATEX performance measures were reli-
able (Table III). Reliability of 5-m sprint, 5-0-5-m
turn, and percentage of good bat–ball contacts were
unaffected by playing standard (high and low grades)
but, for simplicity, these results have not been
presented (CV ¼ 1.0–2.0%).
In stages 2, 4, and 6, mean 5-m sprint time was
similar between trials (P ¼ 0.08, ES ¼ 0.27; Table III)
but increased from stages 2 to 6 (P 50.01). However,
in Trial 1 mean 5-0-5-m turn time was better in stage
2 than stage 6 (2.29 + 0.06 s vs. 2.36 + 0.09 s;
P 50.01, ES ¼ 0.88) but was similar between stages
2 and 6 in Trial 2 (2.31 + 0.06 s vs. 2.34 + 0.09 s;
P ¼ 0.07, ES ¼ 0.37). In stages 1, 3, and 5, 5-m time
and 5-0-5-m turn times were similar between trials
(P 4 0.05) and increased from stage 1 to 5
(P 50.05).
Both blood lactate concentration and RPE were
similar between trials (P 4 0.05) but increased as
BATEX progressed (P 50.05). Heart rate was great-
er in Trial 1 than Trial 2 (141 + 17 beats  min71 vs.
135 + 18 beats  min71; P 50.01, ES ¼ 0.34). Body
mass loss (0.7 + 0.7 kg vs. 0.7 + 0.5 kg; P ¼ 0.90)
and sweat rates (0.9 + 0.2 L  h71 vs. 0.8 + 0.2
L  h71; P ¼ 0.19, ES ¼ 0.26) were similar between
Trials 1 and 2.
Ball speed (110 + 2 km  h71) and bounce loca-
tion (14.5 + 0.5 m from bowling crease, typically 14–
24 cm from middle stump in the off-side direction)
 Reliability of a simulated cricket batting innings 1101

Table III. Reliability statistics of running-between-the-wickets performance and percentage of bat–ball contacts during a prolonged,
simulated cricket batting innings (BATEX).

Change in mean TE % CV ICC

Trial 1 Trial 2 (90% CL) (90% CL) (90% CL) (90% CL)

5-m sprint (s) 0.82 + 0.03 0.81 + 0.03 –0.01 0.01 1.4 0.83
(70.01 to 0.00) (0.01 to 0.02) (1.1 to 2.0) (0.62 to 0.92)
5-0-5-m turn (s) 2.33 + 0.07 2.32 + 0.08 0.00 0.04 1.6 0.76
(70.03 to 0.02) (0.03 to 0.05) (1.3 to 2.3) (0.53 to 0.89)
Sum of mean 5-m sprint and mean 3.14 + 0.09 3.13 + 0.09 –0.01 0.04 1.4 0.80
5-0-5-m turn (s) (70.04 to 0.01) (0.03 to 0.06) (1.1 to 1.9) (0.60 to 0.91)
Percentage of good bat–ball 65 + 10 65 + 8 0 2 4.1 0.95
contacts (71 to 2) (2 to 3) (3.1 to 6.0) (0.87 to 0.98)

Note: CL ¼ confidence limit; CV ¼ coefficient of variation; ICC ¼ intraclass correlation coefficient; TE ¼ typical error
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were similar between trials (P 4 0.05). Bat–ball
contacts were available only for 15 participants since
contact data were incomplete in three trials. The
percentage of good bat–ball contacts was similar
between trials and across stages (65 + 14%;
P 4 0.05).
High- and low-grade batsmen compared
The high-grade batsmen were older than the low-
grade batsmen (21 + 2 years vs. 19 + 1 years;
P 50.01, ES ¼ 1.07). Although not significant,
there was a small trend for a better overall running-
between-the-wickets performance time (stages 2,
4, and 6) in high- than low-grade batsmen
(3.12 + 0.11 s vs. 3.17 + 0.10 s; P ¼ 0.32, ES ¼
0.46) and this difference (0.05 s) was greater than
the typical error (0.04 s; Table III).
In stages 1, 3, and 5 there were moderate (P ¼ 0.11,
ES ¼ 0.68) and small trends (P ¼ 0.61, ES ¼ 0.22)
respectively for 5-m sprint and 5-0-5-m turn times to
be longer in the high-grade batsmen (Table IV).
Blood lactate concentration, RPE, and ball delivery
characteristics (speed, line, and length) were similar
between grades (P 4 0.05; Table IV). However, there
was a slight trend for lower heart rates in the high-
than the low-grade batsmen (137 + 11 beats  min71
vs. 143 + 14 beats  min71; P ¼ 0.25, ES ¼ 0.52).
Sweat rates were similar in the high- and low-grade
batsmen (0.8 + 0.2 L  h71 vs. 0.8 + 0.2 L  h71;
P ¼ 0.87). The overall percentage of good bat–ball
contacts was greater in the high- than the low-grade
batsmen (70 + 8% vs. 58 + 9%; P ¼ 0.01, ES ¼ 1.23;
Figure 3).
Discussion
Running-between-the-wickets times and skill-perfor-
mance scores were reliable across a test–retest of
the BATEX protocol. The only difference between
playing standards was a greater percentage of good
bat–ball contacts in the high-grade batsmen than the
low-grade batsmen.
Test–retest
Mean 5-m sprint, mean 5-0-5-m turn time, overall
running-between-the-wickets time (sum of mean 5-
m sprint time and mean 5-0-5-m turn time), and
percentage of good bat–ball contacts were all highly
reliable measures (CV 55.0%) and therefore can be
used as performance indicators in BATEX.
Despite overall running-between-the-wickets
times being similar between trials, there was a
lengthening in 5-0-5-m turn time from BATEX
stage 2 to stage 6 in Trial 1 but not in Trial 2. This
observation suggests that in Trial 2, participants
became either more resistant to fatigue or delayed its
appearance. This is possible since the high-intensity
running demands of BATEX are greater than those
in matches (Houghton et al., 2011) and so improve-
ments in change-of-direction-specific skill and fit-
ness might have been stimulated by Trial 1,
particularly since club cricketers rarely practise
running-between-the-wickets (Brughelli, Cronin,
Levin, & Chaouachi, 2008). Therefore, future
intervention trials should habituate participants to
all six stages of BATEX.
High- and low-grade batsmen compared
Despite ball speed and bounce location (line and
length) being similar between groups, the percentage
of good bat–ball contacts was greater in high- than
low-grade batsmen. This finding confirms that rating
quality of bat–ball contact discriminates between
high- and low-skilled batsmen (Müller & Abernethy,
2006). The mean percentage of good bat–ball
contacts (65 + 14%) was less than that observed in
a previous BATEX test (85 + 4%; Houghton et al.,
2011), possibly because of the different artificial
surface used in the current study.
 1102 L. Houghton et al.

Table IV. Running-between-the-wickets performance, physiological responses, and ball delivery characteristics during a simulated batting
innings (BATEX) in high-grade (1st and 2nd, n ¼ 11) and low-grade (3rd and 4th, n ¼ 11) batsmen (mean + s).

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6

5-m sprint – full-speed (s)*

High-grade (n ¼ 11) – 0.80 + 0.02 – 0.81 + 0.03 – 0.83 + 0.04
Low-grade (n ¼ 11) – 0.82 + 0.04 – 0.84 + 0.04 – 0.84 + 0.03
5-0-5-m turn – full-speed (s)*
High-grade (n ¼ 11) – 2.28 + 0.08 – 2.29 + 0.10 – 2.33 + 0.11
Low-grade (n ¼ 11) – 2.32 + 0.10 – 2.34 + 0.10 – 2.39 + 0.09
5-m time – self-selected pace (s)*
High-grade (n ¼ 11) 1.18 + 0.20 – 1.17 + 0.23 – 1.22 + 0.23 –
Low-grade (n ¼ 11) 1.08 + 0.16 – 1.03 + 0.10 – 1.10 + 0.09 –
5-0-5 m turn – self-selected pace (s)
High-grade (n ¼ 11) 2.76 + 0.39 – 2.83 + 0.39 – 2.87 + 0.47 –
Low-grade (n ¼ 11) 2.66 + 0.14 – 2.78 + 0.27 – 2.82 + 0.33 –
Rating of perceived exertion*
High-grade (n ¼ 11) 10 + 2 13 + 2 11 + 1 15 + 2 12 + 2 17 + 2
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Low-grade (n ¼ 11) 10 + 1 14 + 1 12 + 2 16 + 2 13 + 2 17 + 1
Heart rate (beats  min71)*
High-grade (n ¼ 11) 123 + 11 139 + 12 126 + 12 146 + 13 136 + 11 152 + 12
Low-grade (n ¼ 10) 131 + 12 147 + 13 134 + 15 150 + 14 142 + 15 157 + 14
Blood lactate (mmol  L71)*
High-grade (n ¼ 11) – 3.2 + 1.3 – 4.5 + 1.6 – 3.9 + 1.5
Low-grade (n ¼ 11) – 3.0 + 0.9 – 4.1 + 1.2 – 4.1 + 1.5
Length of ball delivery (m)*
High-grade (n ¼ 10) 13.8 + 0.2 14.8 + 0.1 14.0 + 0.2 14.8 + 0.2 14.3 + 0.2 14.9 + 0.2
Low-grade (n ¼ 10) 13.8 + 0.3 14.9 + 0.2 14.0 + 0.2 14.9 + 0.4 14.3 + 0.3 14.8 + 0.1
Speed of ball delivery (km  h71)*
High-grade (n ¼ 10) 108 + 2 109 + 3 111 + 2 111 + 2 111 + 1 111 + 2
Low-grade (n ¼ 10) 107 + 2 109 + 2 111 + 2 110 + 1 111 + 1 112 + 2
Modal line of ball delivery (zone)*,#
High-grade (n ¼ 10) OO OO1 OO1 OO1 MO ML
Low-grade (n ¼ 10) OO1 OO1 OO1 O O ML

*Main effect of time, P 50.05. #PitchVisionTM line zones in relation to middle stump: OO1 ¼ outside off-stump, 24 to 34 cm; OO ¼ outside
off-stump, 14 to 24 cm; MO ¼ middle and off-stump, 3 to 9 cm; ML ¼ middle and leg stump, –3 to –9 cm.

Figure 3. Percentage of good bat–ball contacts was higher for high-grade (filled circles, n ¼ 10) than low-grade (empty circles, n ¼ 8) batsmen
during the stages of a prolonged, simulated batting innings (BATEX). *Main effect of trial, P 50.01.

Good bat–ball contact depends on several factors quickly between the wickets over prolonged periods
such as concentration, shot selection, and technical is not a prerequisite for good bat–ball contact
execution of the shot. Moreover, being able to run (Noakes & Durandt, 2000). Also, a low percentage
 Reliability of a simulated cricket batting innings
of good bat–ball contacts (e.g. in BATEX) does not
necessarily translate to a few runs scored in a match.
For example, the categorical rating of bat–ball
contacts in BATEX does not discriminate between
a bad contact that leads to a batsman prematurely
ending his/her innings (‘‘getting out’’) and a bad
contact that scores runs.
The between-grades difference in overall running-
between-wickets time (across stages 2, 4, and 6) was
greater than the typical error for this variable
suggesting that the margin was real. The older
age (more experience) of the high-grade batsmen
could be a factor in this slight trend for a better
overall running-between-the-wickets time. In an
adapted version of the Loughborough Intermittent
Downloaded by [Lulea University of Technology] at 11:29 06 August 2013
Shuttle Test (LIST), better 20-m sprint times were
reported in professional than recreational soccer
players (3.18 + 0.12 s vs. 3.31 + 0.12 s; P 50.05)
(Edwards, Macfayden, & Clark, 2003). The LIST is
similar to BATEX in that it requires intermittent
walking, jogging, running, and sprinting (Nicholas,
Nuttall, & Williams, 2000). It is likely that Edwards
and colleagues found differences in intermittent-
sprint performance because of the greater disparity in
playing standard of the participants (comparison of
professional with recreational) than the sample in the
current study (comparison of low club with high
club/sub-elite). Differences in running-between-the-
wickets times might not be apparent until the
performance of the current sample (club to sub-elite
standard) is compared with that of elite-standard
batsmen.
Generally, physiological responses to BATEX were
similar between high- and low-grade batsmen. Of
note, blood lactate concentration (3–5 mmol  L71)
was slightly greater than that reported in matches (2–
3 mmol  L71; C. Petersen et al., unpublished). This
finding could be attributable to the greater physical
demands of BATEX than of match-play (Houghton
et al., 2011).
Conclusion
Mean 5-m sprint time, 5-0-5-m turn time, and
overall running-between-the-wickets time (sum of
mean 5-m sprint and 5-0-5-m turn time) are reliable
indicators of running-between-the-wickets perfor-
mance in a prolonged batting simulation (BATEX).
Although there were no differences in running-
between-the-wickets performance between different
playing standards, there was a trend for better
times in the higher-grade batsmen. Differences in
running-between-the-wickets performance might
not be evident until comparisons are made with
1103
elite-standard performers. Conversely, percentage of
good bat–ball contacts is a reliable performance score
and discriminates between high- and low-grade
batsmen in BATEX. Future research should extend
the current observations to elite-standard batsmen
and, in addition, use BATEX to investigate mechan-
isms of fatigue in prolonged batting innings.
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