Running between the Wickets in Cricket: What is the Fastest Technique?

Abstract

This study followed a repeated-measures design (n = 12, age range 18–22 years) and measured times to run a single: holding the bat in one hand (1H), or ‘paddling’ with the bat in two hands (2H); and times to turn when running a two and three run: holding the bat in the stronger hand and turning on the perceived strong side (1H+S); holding the bat in two hands and turning on the perceived strong side (2H+S); or holding the bat in two hands and turning on the perceived weak side (2H+W). For the singles, time was measured between 0 and 17.7 m. For the two and three runs, turn time was measured for the 5 m deceleration into and 5 m acceleration out of the 180° turn. Values are mean ± typical error. It was significantly quicker to run a single using the 1H compared to the 2H technique (1H vs. 2H: 3.110 ± 0.099 s vs. 3.165 ± 0.080 s, p = 0.032). There was a significant trial effect for turning in a two (1H+S vs. 2H+S vs. 2H+W: 2.318 ± 0.114 s vs. 2.363 ± 0.098 vs. 2.399 ± 0.097 s; p = 0.027). Similarly, 1H+S was the quickest turn technique when running a three (p = 0.018). The fastest running between the wicket technique is to hold the bat in one hand and turn on the perceived strongest side.