The Physical Determinants of Bat Speed in Elite Female Cricketers

This study explored the association between strength and power capacities and bat speed in female cricketers to inform strength and conditioning practices.

Twenty-nine professional female cricketers volunteered for 3 testing sessions. Day 1: participant information, grip strength, medicine-ball push for maximum velocity, 10/5 Reactive Strength Index Hop Test. Day 2: isometric midthigh pull, vertical jump, 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) bench pull, and maximum-repetition body-weight push-up. Day 3: maximal bat speed for 4 cricket shots-cut (BScut), drive (BSdrive), pull (BSpull), and slog (BSslog)-versus 3 delivery types (off-spin, medium, and fast). Statistical analysis (α = .05) included Pearson r, multiple linear regression (R-squared), and 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Tukey HSD analysis.

Overall bat speed was associated with absolute 1RM bench pull (r = .70, P < .0001), dominant medicine-ball push for maximum velocity (r = .65, P < .0001), nondominant medicine-ball push for maximum velocity (r = .60, P < .0001), and absolute isometric midthigh pull (r = .47, P = .01). Physical capacities regression modeling explained 52.7% of variance in bat speed overall (adjusted R-squared = .5267, standard error of estimate = 2.40, P < .0001). BScut was slower than all shots (P < .0001). BScut (P < .0001), BSdrive (P < .0001), and BSpull (P < .0001) were slower during fast versus off-spin deliveries.

Absolute upper-body pulling strength, dominant rotational power, and absolute total-body isometric strength are critical qualities for power-hitting training in female cricketers. Practitioners may include these findings in their program design to better support female athletes.