A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXAMINATION OF FAST BOWLING TALENT DEVELOPMENT IN CRICKET Elissa Jane Phillips BPhEd & MSc (Hons) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Human Movement Studies Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology 2011 ii Keywords Biomechanics, cricket, dynamical systems theory, degeneracy, expertise, fast bowling, skill acquisition, metastability, multidisciplinary, talent development, variability. iii iv Abstract Research on expertise, talent identification and development has tended to be mono-disciplinary, typically adopting geno-centric or environmentalist positions, with an overriding focus on operational issues. In this thesis, the validity of dualist positions on sport expertise is evaluated. It is argued that, to advance understanding of expertise and talent development, a shift towards a multidisciplinary and integrative science focus is necessary, along with the development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary theoretical rationale. Dynamical systems theory is utilised as a multidisciplinary theoretical rationale for the succession of studies, capturing how multiple interacting constraints can shape the development of expert performers. Phase I of the research examines experiential knowledge of coaches and players on the development of fast bowling talent utilising qualitative research methodology. It provides insights into the developmental histories of expert fast bowlers, as well as coaching philosophies on the constraints of fast bowling expertise. Results suggest talent development programmes should eschew the notion of common optimal performance models and emphasize the individual nature of pathways to expertise. Coaching and talent development programmes should identify the range of interacting constraints that impinge on the performance potential of individual athletes, rather than evaluating current performance on physical tests referenced to group norms. Phase II of this research comprises three further studies that investigate several of the key components identified as important for fast bowling expertise, talent identification and development extrapolated from Phase I of this research. This multidisciplinary programme of work involves a comprehensive analysis of fast bowling performance in a cross-section of the Cricket Australia high performance pathways, from the junior, emerging and national elite fast bowling squads. Briefly, differences were found in trunk kinematics associated with the generation of ball speed across the three groups. These differences in release mechanics indicated the functional v adaptations in movement patterns as bowlers’ physical and anatomical characteristics changed during maturation. Second to the generation of ball speed, the ability to produce a range of delivery types was highlighted as a key component of expertise in the qualitative phase. The ability of athletes to produce consistent results on different surfaces and in different environments has drawn attention to the challenge of measuring consistency and flexibility in skill assessments. Examination of fast bowlers in Phase II demonstrated that national bowlers can make adjustments to the accuracy of subsequent deliveries during performance of a cricket bowling skills test, and perform a range of delivery types with increased accuracy and consistency. Finally, variability in selected delivery stride ground reaction force components in fast bowling revealed the degenerate nature of this complex multi-articular skill where the same performance outcome can be achieved with unique movement strategies. Utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine fast bowling expertise, the importance of degeneracy and adaptability in fast bowling has been highlighted alongside learning design that promotes dynamic learning environments. vi Table of Contents Keywords ............................................................................................................................................. iii Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ x List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... xii List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... xiii Statement of Original Authorship .................................................................................................... xiv Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................................. xv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Context ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Purposes ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Significance, Scope and Definitions ....................................................................................... 4 1.5 Thesis Outline ............................................................................................................................ 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 7 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Traditional Expertise Approaches ........................................................................................... 8 2.2.1 Methods for assessing expert performance in traditional research ...................... 10 2.2.2 Outcomes of research with quantitative methodologies ......................................... 10 2.2.3 Outcomes of research using qualitative methods ................................................... 13 2.3 Dynamical Systems Theory and Constraints on the Acquisition of Expertise in Sport . 14 2.3.1 The role of neurobiological degeneracy in expertise acquisition .......................... 17 2.3.2 Constraints on acquiring expertise ............................................................................ 18 2.4 A Complex Systems Approach to Talent Development .................................................... 21 2.4.1 The role of meta-stability in acquiring expertise ...................................................... 23 2.5 The Case of Fast bowling Expertise Acquisition ................................................................ 25 2.5.1 Technique factors and injury in fast bowlers ............................................................ 26 2.5.2 Physiology and anthropometry research on constraints on fast bowling ............ 28 2.5.3 Movement patterns, coordination and ball speed ................................................... 30 2.5.4 Methods for studying expertise in fast bowling from a dynamical systems perspective .................................................................................................................... 34 2.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 35 CHAPTER 3: QUALITATIVE METHODS ...................................................................................... 39 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 39 3.2 Qualitative Methodology ......................................................................................................... 39 3.3 Interview Protocol .................................................................................................................... 39 3.4 Data Collection ........................................................................................................................ 40 3.5 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 42 CHAPTER 4: THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAST BOWLING EXPERTISE IN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET 45 vii 4.1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 45 4.2 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 46 4.3 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 49 4.3.1 Participants ................................................................................................................... 49 4.3.2 Data collection and analysis ......................................................................................