Validity and reliability of a simple categorical tool for the assessment of interceptive skill

Validity and reliability of a categorical tool for assessment of quality of bat-ball contact in cricket batting was examined in a natural setting. A batsman was filmed by twin synchronised cameras from front-on and side-on while facing deliveries from a leg spin bowler. The front-on camera allowed calculation of linear displacement of the ball from the bat at a point when the ball was in contact with the bat or adjacent to the edge (determined from the second camera). A strong relationship was found between observer categorisation of bat-ball contacts (i.e., good, bad and no contacts) and displacement of the ball from the bat. In addition, 'live' categorisation of a sample of bat-ball contact trials by a trained assistant was found to have high intra-rater reliability when re-assessed via a video record on two later occasions, as well as high inter-rater reliability when categorisation of bat-ball contact was conducted on the same video record of trials by an elite cricket coach. The findings support the value of a simple tool for assessment of interception in cricket batting that may be adapted to examine interception in other striking sports.