MATTHEW JOBLIN 05002515 SCHOOL OF SPORT UNIVERISTY OF WALES INSTITUTE, CARDIFF A COMPARISON OF THE TACTICS USED BY SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL BATSMEN IN TWENTY20 CRICKET TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Acknowledgements i Abstract ii CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background of the Study 1 1.2 Rationale for the Study 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem 2 1.4 Aims of the Study 2 1.5 Hypothesis 3 1.6 Delimitations 3 1.7 Limitations 3 1.8 Key Terms 4 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6 2.1 Notational Analysis 6 2.2 History of Notational Analysis 6 2.3 Computer Notation Systems 7 2.4 Tactics and Strategies in sport 9 2.5 Twenty20 Cricket Rule Changes 11 2.6 Review of Cricket Specific Literature 12 CHAPTER THREE 3.0 METHOD 18 3.1 Research Design 18 3.2 Equipment Used 18 3.3 Pilot Study 19 3.4 Operational Definitions 20 3.5 Procedure 32 3.6 Test – Retest Reliability 33 3.7 Reliability Results 34 3.8 Data 34 3.9 Data Analysis 35 CHAPTER FOUR 4.0 RESULTS 37 4.1Comparison of Successful and Unsuccessful Batsmen 37 CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 DISCUSSION 51 5.1 Trends Common to Twenty20 Cricket 51 5.2 Differences Found in Batting Performance 53 5.3 Differences Found in Bowling Performance 58 5.4 Benefits of the System 61 5.5 Methodological Issues 61 CHAPTER SIX 6.0 CONCLUSION 63 6.1 Summary of Investigation Findings 63 6.2 Practical Recommendations 64 6.3 Recommendations for Future Research 65 Reference List 67 Appendices Appendix A. Blank system sample Appendix B. SPSS Output LIST OF TABLES Table Number. Title Page Number. Table 1. Pre pilot study system design 19 Table 2. Post pilot study system design 20 Table 3. Types of bowler 21 Table 4. Description of varying lines of delivery 23 Table 5. Variations in length 25 Table 6. Batsman intent and footwork definitions 26 Table 7. Definitions of each cricket shot 27, 28 Table 8. Results of the Kappa reliability tests 34 Table 9. Matches used for data collection 36 Table 10. A general comparison of batting figures between successful and unsuccessful batsmen 37 Table 11. Breakdown of the run scoring strategies between successful and unsuccessful batsmen 39 Table 12. Percentage values for the type of shot played by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 44 Table 13. Percentage comparison of the different line of delivery faced by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 48 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Number. Title Page Number. Figure 1. Line of delivery faced by batsmen 22 Figure 2. Length of delivery faced by batsmen 24 Figure 3. Direction of front foot drive variations 29 Figure 4. Fielding zone pitch map 30 Figure 5. Comparison of the accumulation of runs between successful and unsuccessful batsmen 38 Figure 6. Frequency comparison of boundaries scored by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 38 Figure 7. Frequency comparison of deliveries scored from and deliveries that were not scored from by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 39 Figure 8. Comparison of the deliveries struck to each fielding zone by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 40 Figure 9. Comparison of deliveries struck to the off side, leg side and to the inner and outer fielding zones 41 Figure 10. Frequency comparison of the shot selection used by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 41 Figure 11. Comparison of the front foot and back foot strokes played by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 42 Figure 12. Comparison of the attacking and defensive strokes played by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 42 Figure 13. Frequency comparison of the additional footwork tactics used by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 43 Figure 14. Strokes played significantly more frequently by successful batsmen 45 Figure 15. Frequency comparison for the variety of front foot drives played by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 45 Figure 16. Frequency comparison for the type of bowler typically faced by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 46 Figure 17. Frequency comparison of deliveries faced from seam and spin bowlers by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 47 Figure 18. Comparison of the length of delivery faced by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 47 Figure 19. Frequency comparison of the line of delivery faced by successful and unsuccessful batsmen 49 Figure 20. Frequency comparison of straight deliveries 49 Figure 21. Frequency comparison for mode of dismissal of successful and unsuccessful batsmen 50 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my tutor Peter O’Donoghue for the commitment, assistance and guidance he has given me in my final year. A big thanks to my parents, Graham and Sue for their continued support and giving me the opportunity and motivation to learn. i ABSTRACT Twenty20 cricket is a recent adaptation of One Day cricket being introduced to the elite level in 2003. Due to its short existence and the majority of research in cricket being focused toward biomechanical analysis of fast bowling and injury prevention to fast bowlers, a significant lack of literature exists. Specific rule changes have meant Twenty20 cricket is commonly referred to as a batsman’s game. Since its introduction there have been mixed views about the benefits of Twenty20 cricket to technical performance. The purpose of this investigation is to investigate whether any significant differences exist in the strategies and tactics adopted by batsmen from successful and unsuccessful teams. Data was collected from 12 matches shown live on Sky Sports during the 2007 calendar year. A computer notation system was developed in order to record data relevant to specific performance indicators. Chi Squared Tests of Independence were used to statistically test the performance variables. Results indicated that of the nine performance indicators, only the type of batsman and the type of bowler showed a significant difference between successful and unsuccessful teams. Findings from the investigation suggest that due to the elite level of cricket, strategies, tactics and methods between successful and unsuccessful batsmen are not distinctly different and it is the implementation of those tactics during an innings that have an influential bearing on the result of a match. Notably successful tactics however include keeping wickets in hand allowing for freedom in attack toward the end of the innings, advancing down the pitch to disturb a bowler’s line and length and the use of left hand batsmen in the line up. Elite cricket players are able to use the findings to make apparent tactical strengths and weaknesses and to give them a greater understanding of the nature of Twenty20 cricket. ii 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background of Study The initial reference to the game of cricket was found in 1706 (Altham, 1962) and since the game has developed into an established professional sport played worldwide. Test cricket was introduced in 1877, however it wasn’t until 1971 that the first One Day International (ODI) was played (Allsopp, 2005). The game is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and consists of One Day cricket and Test match cricket at international level. The most recent development has been a form of One Day cricket known as Twenty20 cricket, being developed in England in 2003. According to Tong (2002), it (Twenty20 cricket) was introduced because of ‘the England and Wales cricket board’s (ECB) desire to make the game more appealing to a new audience of young supporters’ (p4). In a bid to entertain crowds and appeal to a wider population, various rule changes have been instigated within the One Day form of the game. Changes such as leg side wides, field restrictions and free hits all create further disadvantage for bowlers and therefore the game is constantly referred to as a batsman’s game (Haigh, 2007). 1.2 Rationale for the Study Twenty20 cricket has undoubtedly been a success. Since its introduction it has developed into a worldwide competition and the first International World Cup was held in September 2007. Due to its short existence however, very little research exists that is specific to this format of cricket. 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem Performance in cricket is usually measured by runs scored or wickets taken on an individual basis, or win / loss ratio and the extent of a winning margin on a team basis. There is very little information as to the tactics used by individuals. Notational analysis has provided research into strategies and tactics for a variety of different team and individual sports (see chapter 2.4) however the bulk of research in cricket looks at injury prevention and the biomechanics of fast bowling (see chapter 2.6). This thesis looks into the tactics used by batsmen in Twenty20 style cricket. A comparison will be made between the tactics adopted by batsmen from the winning and losing sides. This study looks at a number of performance indicators, as research found that factors like tactical skills can not be gauged by simply looking at the runs scored. (Damodaran 2006). 1.4 Aims of the Study The aim of the study is to develop a computerised notation system using twelve matches from the 2007 calendar year. The data from the system will identify the tactics used by batsmen in Twenty20 cricket and if there are any significant differences used by the batsmen from successful and unsuccessful teams. Results will identify reasons why teams were successful or unsuccessful by recognizing common strategies and differences in performance. Successful and unsuccessful teams will be able to make use of the findings in order to become more successful. 2 1.5 Hypothesis Null Hypothesis: There will be no significant difference between the tactics used by batsmen from successful and unsuccessful cricket teams using the identified performance variables.