Running velocity during the Run-a-Three in experienced cricketers

Authors

Lockie Robert, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & IT, University of Newcastle

Abstract

The maximum number of times a cricket batsman will run between the wickets for a scoring shot is three. This study analyzed velocities during the run-a-three test. 16 cricketers were ranked according to run-a-three time, and split into faster (n = 8) and slower (n = 8) groups. A 1-way analysis of variance (p  0.05) determined between-group differences in run-a-three time, velocity (0-5, 5-12.68, 0-12.68, 12.68-17.68, 0-17.68 meter [m] intervals for runs 1, 2 and 3), and run-to-run percentage changes in velocity. Velocities and run-a-three times were correlated (p  0.05). A regression analysis was conducted for run-a-three time. Faster subjects completed the run-a-three quicker (faster = 9.74  0.18 seconds; slower = 10.38  0.34 seconds), and had significantly greater velocities across all intervals, except for the first run 0-5 m interval. The third run 12.68-17.68 m interval had the highest velocities (faster = 8.11  0.40 meters per second [m•s-1]; slower = 7.31  0.56 m•s-1). No between-group differences in run-to-run velocity changes were found. Greater velocities correlated with quicker run-a-three times (r = -0.528-0.981). The third run contributed most to run-a-three time. Cricketers must attain high velocities throughout the run-a-three. The final run should be fastest.

Keywords

Acceleration, change-of-direction speed, cricket batting, running between the wickets, sprinting

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