FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE IN ELITE FINGER SPIN BOWLING by Liam Sanders A Doctoral Thesis Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy at Loughborough University April 2019 Abstract Factors affecting performance in elite finger spin bowlinG Liam Sanders, Loughborough University Full-body three-dimensional kinematics, passive joint range of motion and bowling parameters from match play were calculated to enable the analysis of elite finger spin bowling technique and delivery mechanics. Specifically, the effect of kinematic parameters and passive joint range of motion contributing to the production of spin were examined whilst ball trajectory parameters in international test match cricket were assessed and the extent to which these parameters may impact match performance. Kinematic and passive range of motion data were collected for a group of 23 elite finger spin bowlers, describing elements of finger spin bowling technique with the effect of these parameters on ball spin rate addressed using linear regression. Ball trajectory data were collected using a Hawk-eye™ ball tracking system for 36 elite finger spin bowlers competing in international test match cricket between 2006 – 2015. Parameters were calculated describing elements of ball trajectory with the effect of these parameters on bowling average and economy addressed using linear regression. Kinematic analysis suggests the bowlers imparting the most spin adopted a mid-way pelvis orientation angle, a larger pelvis-shoulder separation angle and a shoulder orientation short of side-on at FFC. The orientation of the pelvis at FFC was shown to be the most important technique parameter explaining 43.1% of the variance in ball spin rate. Higher ball spin rates were also associated with a larger internal rotation of the rear hip and bowling shoulder, whilst the total arc of rotation of the non-dominant hip (front leg) was found to be the best predictor of ball spin rate, explaining 26% of the observed variance in spin rate. Side to side differences were also observed with greater external rotation and lesser internal rotation in the bowling shoulder, and greater internal rotation in the non-dominant hip. Linear regressions of bowling parameters in test match competition revealed bowling length, bowing line and release velocity as the biggest predictors of bowling economy, predicting 54.4% of the observed variance. Findings suggest bowlers conceding the least runs released the ball at higher ball release speeds, bowled straight bowling lines and pitched the ball 4 – 5m in length. Whilst no parameters were predictive of bowling average, results indicate that deliveries deviating away from the opposing batsman concede less runs and takes more wickets, when compared to deviating toward. i Publications Peer-reviewed Publications SANDERS, L., FELTON, P. J., & KING, M. A. (2018). Kinematic parameters contributing to the production of spin in elite finger spin bowling. Journal of sports sciences, 1-7. SANDERS, L., FELTON, P. J., McCAIG.S., & KING, M. A. (2019). Passive range of motion of the hips and shoulders and their relationship with ball spin rate in elite finger spin bowlers Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (in review). Peer reviewed book chapters ROSS, E., GUPTA, L., & SANDERS, L. (2018). When research leads to learning, but not action in high performance sport. Progress in brain research, 240, 201-217. Conference Proceedings SANDERS, L., FELTON, P., & KING, M. (2019). Kinematic parameters contributing to the production of spin in elite finger spin bowling. World Congress for Science and Medicine in Cricket SANDERS, L., FELTON, P. J., McCAIG.S., & KING, M. A. (2019). Passive range of motion of the hips and shoulders and their relationship with ball spin rate in elite finger spin bowlers. World Congress for Science and Medicine in Cricket Articles SANDERS, L., (2017). What makes test crickets best spin bowler so effective - https://theconversation.com/what-makes-test-crickets-best-spin-bowler-so-effective- 70307 ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank the England & Wales Cricket Board, in particular Peter Such for the opportunity to pursue these studies, as well as the numerous elite athletes that gave up their time and effort in the pursuit of furthering the understanding of their discipline. I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my supervisor’s Dr Mark King and Dr Paul Felton, as well as Professor Fred Yeadon and Dr Sam Allen. Without your guidance and support throughout the duration of these studies, this thesis would not have been made possible. I would like to thank the various colleagues of the Loughborough Sports Biomechanics Group for giving up their time to support data collection over the years. To Dr Michael Bourne, I thank you for the continued guidance and mentorship in managing a PhD journey and pursuing a career in elite sport. To my parents, Debra and Andrew, I thank you for the opportunity, continued support and perspective in life. Finally, to my beautiful wife, Stephanie; you are my inspiration. We met shortly after taking on this learning journey. You have been my rock, through thick and thin and therefore dedicate this thesis to you. iii Dedications To Stephanie & Woodrow iv Table of contents Abstract i Publications ii Acknowledgements iii Dedications iv Table of contents v List of figures xi List of Tables xiv 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Chapter overview 1 1.2 Area of study 1 1.3 Cricket bowling 2 1.4 Study rationale 2 1.5 Statement of purpose 4 1.6 Research questions 4 1.7 Chapter organisation 7 1.8 Delimitations 9 1.9 Limitations 10 1.10 Definition of terms and abbreviations 11 2 Review of the literature 13 2.1 Chapter overview 13 2.2 Spin bowling 13 2.3 Spin bowling biomechanics 18 2.4 Performance analysis of spin bowling 22 v 2.5 Illegal bowling actions 25 2.6 Ball kinematics 28 2.6.1 Aerodynamics of spinning balls 28 2.6.2 Magnus force (!") 29 2.6.3 Seam stability 33 2.7 Range of motion 34 2.8 Summary 35 3 Data Collection Procedures 37 3.1 Equipment – kinematic and range of motion 37 3.1.1 Trackman doppler radar 39 3.1.2 Participants 39 3.1.3 Testing volume calibration 40 3.1.4 Marker set 40 3.2 Testing protocol 44 3.2.1 Static calibration trials 44 3.2.2 Active range of motion trials 45 3.2.3 Defining joint centres 46 3.2.4 Elbow 47 3.2.5 Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint - index and middle fingers 47 3.2.6 Defining joint coordinate system 47 3.2.7 Joint angle definitions 48 3.2.8 Identification of key instants 49 3.2.9 Gap filling trajectories 50 3.2.10 Filtering 50 3.2.11 Anthropometric data 51 3.3 Passive range of motion 51 3.3.1 Shoulder - internal rotation 51 3.3.2 External rotation 52 3.3.3 Hip supine - Internal rotation 52 3.3.4 Hip supine - External rotation 53 3.3.5 Hip prone - Internal rotation 54 3.3.6 Hip Crook Lying - Bent knee fall out 54 vi 3.4 Ball trajectory within match play 55 3.4.1 Data analysis 55 3.4.2 Ball tracking 55 3.4.3 Identification of key instants 56 3.4.4 Metadata 57 3.4.5 Data reduction 58 3.4.6 Ball tracking error 58 3.4.7 Statistical analysis 59 3.5 Chapter summary 60 4 The finger spin bowling action 61 4.1 The run up 61 4.2 Back foot contact (BFC) 61 4.3 Front foot contact (FFC) 63 4.4 Ball release 64 4.5 Follow through 66 4.6 Chapter summary 67 5 Kinematic parameters contributing to the production of spin in elite finger spin bowlinG 68 5.1 Abstract 68 5.2 Introduction 69 5.3 Methodology 70 5.3.1 Data collection 70 5.3.2 Data processing 71 5.3.3 Data analysis 73 5.4 Results 75 5.5 Discussion 78 5.6 Conclusions 82 6 Passive range of motion of the hips and shoulders and their relationship with ball spin rate in elite finger spin bowlers 83 vii 6.1 Abstract 83 6.2 Introduction 84 6.3 Methods 85 6.3.1 Data collection 85 6.3.2 Data analysis 86 6.4 Results 89 6.5 Discussion 91 6.6 Conclusion 94 7 An examination of bowling parameters and their association with performance in elite finger spin bowlers competing in test match cricket 96 7.1 Abstract 96 7.2 Introduction 97 7.3 Methods 99 7.3.1 Data collection 99 7.3.2 Analysis period 100 7.3.3 Procedure 100 7.3.4 Data analysis 102 7.4 Results 103 7.5 Bowling parameters 106 7.5.1 Bowling length 106 7.5.2 Bowling line 106 7.5.3 Release velocity 107 7.5.4 Deviation angle 107 7.5.5 Zenith delivery height 107 7.5.6 Incidence angle 108 7.6 Discussion 115 7.6.1 Bowling length 115 7.6.2 Bowling line 116 7.6.3 Release velocity 117 7.6.4 Deviation angle 118 viii 7.6.5 Incidence angle 119 7.6.6 Zenith delivery height 120 7.6.7 Optimal bowling delivery 120 7.7 Conclusions 123 8 Practical considerations for developing skill in elite finger spin bowlinG 124 8.1 Abstract 124 8.2 Introduction 125 8.3 Traditional coaching methods 126 8.4 Coaching philosophies and system dilemmas 128 8.5 Shaping bowler behaviour - Ecological dynamics 129 8.5.1 Constraints led approach (CLA) 131 8.5.2 Bowling dexterity 133 8.5.3 Representative practice design 135 8.5.4 Exploratory spin-bowling task 136 8.6 Future directions 138 8.7 Conclusions 138 9 Summary and conclusions 140 9.1 Data collection 140 9.2 Data processing 142 9.3 Data analysis 142 9.4 Limitations 142 9.4.1 Research design 142 9.5 Future directions 144 9.6 Further considerations 146 9.6.1 Finger spin bowling performance – legality trade off 146 9.6.2 !" performance metric 146 9.6.3 Disparity in release speed between elite professional and international finger spin bowlers 148 9.7 Research questions 150 ix 9.8 Future studies 153 9.9 Summary 153 10 References 155 Appendix A - Kinematic