Effect of different bowling surfaces on bowling speed of pace bowlers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives Cricket is a popular game played across many countries in varied playing conditions ranging from ball, bowling surface, outfield and weather. Speed of bowling is a significant factor that can decide result of any match; and therefore, it always attracts sports professionals to study and analyse it in detail. Methods This research presents an original field-based study carried out to understand the effect of different bowling surfaces (natural turf and concrete) on bowling speed of 41 fast and medium pace asymptomatic bowlers having no injuries, especially to the shoulder joint and back, during 3 months before participation in this study. This single occasion cross-sectional design study comprised of Physical profile evaluation and Bowling velocity assessment performed with SRA 3000 Tracer Precision Radar gun. Results This research discusses the statistical analysis of the observations with the help of mean value, standard deviation and t-value and concludes that the ball speed decreases less after pitching on the cement-based pitch than natural turf. The data signify that on the concrete-based pitch the post pitching speed remains slightly higher and Pitch pace which is difference at 2 ends of the pitch is decreased. Conclusion Potential applications of this field research are also presented, which include development of judgement and accurate bat swing according to ball speed; fair degree of confidence in replacing season cricket ball with a tennis ball for practice sessions from the speed point of view and ascertaining the need of safety equipment.