Cricket Sprint Test (17.68m)
Sprint or speed tests can be performed over varying distances, depending on the factors being tested and the relevance to the sport. For cricketers, 17.68 meters (58 feet) is the distance between the batting (popping) creases on a cricket pitch, so this test replicates the demands of a 'quick single' in the sport of cricket.
test purpose: The aim of this test is to determine acceleration and running speed for cricket players.
equipment required: flat and clear surface of at about 30 meters, measuring tape or marked cricket pitch, stopwatch or timing gates, cone markers.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Measure and mark out the test area. Perform an appropriate warm-up, including some practice starts and accelerations. See more details of pre-test procedures.
test setup: mark out the sprint distance of 17.68 meters, using the lines on a cricket pitch. Timing gates can be set up at the start and finish, as low to the ground as possible (to measure the sliding bat). Timing gates can also be set up at 5m from the start to measure player's acceleration.
procedure: The test is performed while carrying a cricket bat. Start from a stationary position, with the bat over the crease in the timing gate beam (set to trigger when the bat leaves). When ready, the player sprints along the pitch, reaching out and sliding the bat through the final gates. The player is encouraged to continue running hard past the finish line. If using a stopwatch instead of timing gates, the timing starts from the first movement, and finishes when the bat crosses the finish line.
variations: this procedure describes the player carrying a bat during the test to replicate match conditions, though the fitness test may also be done without the cricket gear, which will more accurately measure just running speed. Without a bat the player will be able to run faster, though the start and finish position may be different, resulting in slower times.
results: Two trials are allowed, and the best time is recorded to the nearest 2 decimal places.
target population: cricket players.
reliability: Reliability is greatly improved if timing gates are used. Also weather conditions and the type of running surface can affect the results, and these conditions should be recorded with the results. If possible, set up the track with a crosswind to minimize the effect of wind.
comments:
- The participants are required to keep the bat in their dominant hand throughout the test, as this is expected to be easier and enable the player to run faster.
- If timing gates are not available, use a stopwatch to record the time from start to finish.
- Wearing pads and helmet is not expected in this test, though it could add to the cricket specificity of this test.
- The distance from stumps to stumps is 22 yards / 66 feet / 20.12m, with the popping crease at each end 4 feet (1.22m) from the stumps. Therefore, from crease to crease is 66 - (2 x 4) = 58 feet, or 17.68 meters.
references:
- Lockie, Robert G.; Callaghan, Samuel J.; Jeffriess, Matthew D. Analysis of Specific Speed Testing for Cricketers Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: November 2013 - Volume 27 - Issue 11 - p 2981–2988
- Johnstone JA, Ford PA. Physiologic profile of professional cricketers. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Nov;24(11):2900-7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181bac3a7.
Similar Tests
- Protocol for the 20m sprint test, a sprint test over a similar distance.
- Run-a-Three — a cricket speed and agility test, involving sprinting over a cricket pitch distance three times while carrying a bat.
- Run 2 Cricket Running Speed Test — a cricket speed and agility test, involving sprinting the length of a cricket pitch twice.
Related Pages
- More about fitness testing for cricket
- General information about Sprint or Speed Testing
- Training for speed
- Videos of Speed Testing
- Warming up for sprint testing
- Other anaerobic tests and about anaerobic testing
- All about timing gates
- Sprint Test Results
- World Records for Speed tests
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