EAPI

• Skill strengths

  consistent bowling action

  length of bowl

  stopping and pick up of ball
• consistent bowling action 1

  One skill is the repetition of bowling action seen during the over as most balls are on the offside. He's in the correct position in the prep phase, side on in the frontal plane with left arm extended high in the air, an e.g. of a 1st class lever (triceps are effort, ball is load and elbow hinge joint is fulcrum). This gains momentum in the pull down, transforming him to the execution phase across the sagittal plane as the body becomes front facing upon release.
• consistent bowling action 2

  At the flexed elbow joint, articulating bones are humerus, radius and ulna. The release is executed well, delivering the ball to the offside. This benefits the team as it's difficult to score on offside, so placing it here reduces chance of a bigger shot, minimising runs lost. Balls are also less likely to be regarded as wide on the offside, reducing the loss of unnecessary runs.
• length of bowl 1

  Next skill was the length of bowl which consistently lands close to the batters feet. This forces them into a defence position where less runs can be scored due to lack of drive to push the ball. The left arm is extended and the antagonistic muscle pair are the triceps brachii (contract concentrically) and biceps brachii (contract eccentrically).
• length of bowl 2

  Bouncing near his feet also increases the chance of a wicket as there's less time after the bounce to react. There's more chance of a swing with poor head movement out of panic, causing them to miss the ball. Knowing the ball is in a hard area can increase cognitive anxiety of batter, increasing negative thoughts abt getting out. Arousal also increases and if exceeds optimum Z.O.F, there's a decline in performance if anx uncontrolled, higher chance of being bowled out. Puts bowlers at advantage as weaker batters lower down order, less ability to score runs
• stopping and pick up of ball 1

  A fielding strength is the correct approach and pick up of ball at (EG). The performer is proactive in his action as he instantly reacts. His movement follows Newtons 2nd law of acceleration - the greater force applied, greater rate of change in momentum. Also, from starting position, initial movement follows 1st law of inertia - as action force is unbalanced and overcomes inertia to cause change in state of motion
• Stopping of and picking up of ball 2

  Quick reaction allows less running time for batters, minimising runs scored. Stopping of ball is beneficial as less boundaries are lost and there's an increased chance of a run out. If ball is stopped with a body part other than the front of hands, may cause an acute injury e.g. a contusion, and treated using the PRICE method
• skill weaknesses

  lack of control over line

  poor throw in

  poor run up
• lack of control over line 1

  A weakness was the slight inconsistent line ball bounces in, which frequently deviated to the legside at (EG). Here, the batter is able to turn leg-side on to hit the ball further, which isn't beneficial to the bowler as batter applies more force to leg side shot, therefore gain more runs per ball. Leg side balls have a higher chance of being given wide, costing extra runs.
• lack of control over line 2

  A reason for the inconsistency is incorrect body position, and the repetition of this may be due to pressure from teammates to get wickets. After a singular bad performance, overall performance will continue to decline and if anxiety levels are beyond optimum Z.O.F. Anxiety may be cognitive (poor concentration) or somatic (sweating which can cause less secure grip so may release it at the wrong point). Another wide would cost more runs for the team, putting them in a worse position.
• poor throw in 1

  A fielding weakness was his poor overarm throw to the keeper. At (EG) his prep and execution phase were carried out poorly. This may have been him experiencing social inhibition; in a stressful situation around others, arousal levels increase especially if he's an introvert or has a type A personality. If arousal is too high there will be an extreme decline according to the catastrophe theory.
• poor throw in 2

  Due to this, he didn't stand fully side on to build momentum for throw, while in the execution phase he had no control over position as he only thinks about trying to apply power behind the throw. Therefore, the ball travels at a slower speed so doesn't reach the wicketkeeper in 1 bounce. This isn't beneficial as poor accuracy and increased flight means ball is in the air for longer, there's longer running time and possibly an extra run. This could've been avoided or a run out could've been taken, if the ball was thrown well.
• poor run up 1

  Only weakness in bowling action was the inconsistent run up, where he loses rhythm and steps outside a consistent line of run. This affects his speed and the amount of momentum gained. At the ankle joint, plantarflexion occurs in the sagittal plane, and the agonist is the gastrocnemius/soleus and antagonist is the tibialis anterior. A weak run up means less momentum and a slower or inaccurate (wide) ball, more time to move into position and apply force therefore more runs lost.
• poor run up 2

  The run up is also quite short, therefore the delivery is slower and there's more chance of overstepping the crease line leading to a no ball and extra run. It also gives a free hit where batters can attempt bigger shots knowing they can't be bowled or caught out, increasing their state confidence but decreasing the bowlers.
• CoF strengths

  muscular endurance

  reaction time

  coordination
• muscular endurance 1

  A CoF strength is muscular endurance as his muscles don't tire throughout the over allowing form to be maintained in action. Working muscles include shoulder muscles: biceps and triceps brachii. For continuous use of these, slow oxidative muscle fibres are used, which are high in mitochondrial density to release sufficient energy for the aerobic system. Here, oxygen is used to convert glucose into sufficient ATP molecules for energy and muscle contraction
• muscular endurance 2

  Sufficient energy release allows continual aerobic work, so there's enough power of contraction in the arm to keep it upright each time the ball is bowled, so ball can be released in the same place. This allows consistent line and length, reducing the chance of wide and increasing the chance of a wicket.
• reaction time 1

  Good reaction time was observed during (EG) in fielding when the ball is hit to him and he reacts quickly and moves to it immediately. He seems to be in the autonomous stage of learning for fielding so is able to block out the crowd, preventing inhibition and reacts with little thought. He also makes little mistakes when stopping the ball as this is a rehearsed skill stored as a learned motor programme in the LTM
• reaction time 2

  Quick reaction time to ball reduces running time for batters and puts pressure on them taking a run and getting to the other end safely. It may cause a hesitant call e.g. saying yes but going back, and the miscommunication increases chance of run out, putting fielders at an advantage as a weaker batter is next to bat.
• coordination 1

  Another CoF strength is coordination as the bowler utilises this during bowling action where arms in the arm action work simultaneously with the legs in the run up in a fluent way. The skill and coordination can be practiced through whole-part-whole practice. First, the whole bowling action is learned and practiced, then broken into arm action and leg action in separate subroutines. After individual movements are refined, they're combined and practiced together to give full kinaesthesis.
• coordination 2

  This prevents overfocus on one element, leading to an overall more consistent and accurate bowl. This is an advantage for the team as it ensures less wides and extra runs lost. Also, a more aesthetically pleasing run up/action can increase the likelihood of him being scouted.
• CoF weaknesses

  speed

  balance

  flexibility
• speed 1

  One weakness is the speed of the bowling action which is carried out at a low speed, reducing the effectiveness of the bowl due to lack of power/force generated at (EG). This causes an overdependence on shoulder muscles to create power. Overdependence can cause a chronic injury e.g. tendonitis, if consistent across many games. This causes burning/aching as well as stiffness, therefore skill is poorly executed, there's lower duration of consistent action and lower accuracy. This can demotivate and increase anxiety.
• speed 2

  The more inaccurate/wide the ball, the easier it is for the batter to hit/give away runs as batters can move and tap the ball into gaps. If it's bowled slower due to an aching muscle, batter again has more time to move into the right position.
• balance 1

  A weak CoF is balance as he lost his ability to maintain an upright position during the action around (EG) when he wobbled/fell to the ground. He has put himself in a vulnerable position to get hit, he's less likely to stop the ball or get to the stumps to facilitate a run out. This may be crucial for the game if it's the run out of the best batter who is scoring the majority of runs, as they're now able to score more.
• balance 2

  According to Vealey's model, if the run out is missed it will cause disappointment and decreased confidence for future outcomes. However, if performer has an already existing high level of sports confidence in their sport, the effects of this are minimised and they may use this knowledge to motivate them for next time.
• flexibility 1

  The flexibility was a weakness during fielding as there was reduced range of movement around the ball & socket shoulder joint during the throw in to the wicket keeper. This is because the arm doesn't undergo enough horizontal extension so the throw is less powerful and may not cover distance to reach the keeper. The distance is proportional to the size of force generated by his shoulder muscles and energy for the explosive movement is provided by the ATP-PC system.
• flexibility 2

  PC stores are limited, but maximised through taking a legal supplement 'creatine', which increases muscle strength and ensures continuous energy supply for working muscles by keeping PC stores high. The time taken for the keeper to get the ball is made longer by the short throw which gives batter more running time for an extra run. This is a disadvantage as after a few, they are building their score with runs putting pressure on the bowlers.
• tactic strengths

  deception

  awareness of rules and regulations

  placement of fielders
• deception 1

  Around (EG) performer uses deception as the bowls in the over are consistently bowled at the same speed, but one is slower. The run up is equally as fast but the arm action is slower as the ball is released earlier. The flight path changes from a parabolic to a non-parabolic flight path, which is affected by speed of release, hence also affecting the horizontal distance the ball travels.
• deception 2

  The benefit of this deception is that the batter is unprepared for this speed and is likely to completely miss it, so it may go past them and hit the stumps. If they hit it, it's likely to be a defensive shot as they must wait for the slower ball to reach them, minimising further runs. This also keeps them anticipating, avoiding bigger shots
• awareness of rules and regulations 1

  Another tactic strength is his awareness of rules and regulations, seen when the bowler looks to the umpire after each LBW appeal. Following the appeal, the bowler shows sportsmanship by respecting the umpires decision. We can assume the bowler used SLT and learnt how to behave in these situations from older players/role models. These RM would be showcased more in the media due to advancements in globalisation of sport, allowing easy access of watching sports.
• awareness of rules and regulations 2

  Bowler is also careful to not overstep the crease line to prevent no balls and extra runs. Awareness is crucial as reduces unnecessary runs lost, as well as gaining potential wickets from wider knowledge on how to appeal for LBWs.
• placement of fielders 1

  Another tactic is how the bowler places his field. Analysing his over, the balls are generally bowled on the offside. He's in the associative stage of learning so knows his bowling style and has confidently placed fielders on the offside to match his bowling style.
• placement of fielders 2

  As the bowler took initiative, we can assume he's extroverted or type A personality as he likes control. He also doesn't appear to suffer from social loafing as he's performing his best throughout as he is competitive. His proactivity by choosing his field placement is beneficial to the team as fielders were in a suitable position to stop the ball or take catches from the batter's shots, leading to important wickets being taken for the team.
• tactic weaknesses

  lack of urgency

  inability to vary bowling style

  lack of adjustment
• lack of urgency 1

  One tactic weakness was his lack of assertion. In several moments of the video, the bowler is standing around or slowly returning to start position. This uses his slow oxidative muscle fibres and he recovers his ATP stores. During the bowling action, he uses his Fast oxidative glycolytic muscle fibres with high PC stores, enabling high force of contraction as well as high resistance to fatigue
• lack of urgency 2

  If bowler used more assertion they would be more proactive and in a better position to get the ball if needed, increasing the chance of a run out. Also if the fielder did this, it would add pressure to the batter when fielder is close and ready to stump them out, or when they are ready to deliver the ball immediately again. Pressure may lead them to play an incorrect shot/miss time it or take a risky run, costing them runs or wickets for their team.
• inability to vary bowling style 1

  Another weakness is the lack of variation in bowling style as this leads to the batter anticipating the ball before it's bowled. An autonomous bowler has their action perfected so they can vary the ball to keep the batter guessing where it's bowled. Variations include googlys, carrom ball, seam and swing.
• inability to vary his bowling style 2

  A reason for this could be his negative intrinsic feedback due to remembering his high economy from a previous game and having low sports confidence in Vealey's model, so he didn't feel confident enough to change his bowling style. Consequently, after a few overs the batter gets used to the ball's speed/length/line, therefore can plan ahead and move into a better position to hit the ball with more force, gaining more runs.