A comparative analysis of the differences between front-on and side-on fast bowling techniques at the elite level of cricket

Abstract

This research investigated the differences between the front-on and side-on fast bowling techniques at the elite level of the game. The study investigated games played in the 2007, I.C.C. Cricket World Cup held in the West Indies. The games analysed took place in the second stage of the Cricket World called the "Super 8’s". Fast bowlers from Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand were analysed. A specific computerised notation system called, 'Feedback Cricket', was used to notate the specific aspects of a bowling performance to determine if there were any differences between front-on and side-on bowlers. To examine the reliability of the study, an intra-observer reliability test was performed. Variables were tested for normality and homogeneity, to ascertain whether data was parametric or non parametric. Independent t-tests were performed on parametric data, while Mann-Whitney-U tests were performed on non-parametric data. These statistical tests enabled the researcher to establish whether the data sets were significantly different. The bowling analysis showed significant differences to exist, between front-on and side-on bowlers, in terms of delivery lengths bowled, the percentage of shots that were played and missed at and the shot type performed by the batsmen. It was concluded that these differences however, did not contribute to the overall differences in performance of the two bowling techniques, as there were no significant difference between the economy rates, bowling average and the wickets taken per match.