Physical Match Demands of Women’s International Cricket

The need to understand the physical match demands required for female international cricketers is growing. Chapter 3 identified the physical match demands of female international cricketers in Twenty20 (T20) matches compared to One Day International (ODI) matches and between seam and non-seam bowlers. When comparing T20 and ODI matches, cricketers covered greater distance across matches in all speed bands. When expressed relative to per minute played, distances were greater across most speed bands in T20 cricket. There was little difference in absolute and relative values between seam bowlers and non-seam bowers apart from absolute and relative high- speed running, where seamers covered greater distances. Additionally, meters per minute were greater in T20 compared to ODI, whereas greater total distances were covered in ODI cricket. Different preparation strategies are therefore required for ODI and T20, with considerations around high-speed running needed for seamers in comparison to non-seamers. Chapter 4 explored the time motion analysis of an impactful match batting innings in T20 and ODI cricket. An impactful innings in ODI matches required a greater absolute physical demand than T20, specifically walking, low-speed running and low intensity accelerations. Whereas, when expressed relative to balls faced, T20 matches demanded significantly greater distances jogging, high- speed running, medium intensity accelerations than ODI. This data suggests T20 cricket requires a greater relative demand for high intensity movements, meanwhile, ODI matches demand higher total amounts of low-intensity movements throughout a batting innings. For the first time, this thesis has provided an overview of the demands of international female cricket across batting, bowling and fielding, in seam bowlers and non-seam bowlers and in ODI and T20 cricket.