Cricket
History
Cricket has been believed to be originated from England during the middle
ages. The first recorded game emerged from schoolboys playing in
Guildford in the late 16th century. Cricket then began to spread through
North America in the 1700s, and reached the West Indies, Australia and
India by the 1800s (Cricketlab, 2016). During the 19th century, cricket was
then introduced in South Africa and New Zealand.
Evolution
As far as the format of cricket is concerned, the longer, 5-day test matches
triggered a response for a shorter, modernized style. The introduction of
ODI cricket in 1971 and coloured clothing during the 1992 World Cup
revolutionized the way in which conducted field play in terms of tactics,
involvement and entertainment for viewers. Likewise, the rise of Twenty20
cricket in 2005, the shortest format of the game, saw batsman score runs
at ridiculously high strike rates in a more explosive and athletic approach.
This also highlighted new audiences and market segments (Dailymail,
2008).
Technological Impacts
Technology has impacted cricket in terms of decision making for umpires
during on-field play. These include implementing slow-motion replays that
provide specialist camera angles, as well as ‘Stump-Cams’ that provide a
point-of-view perspective, ‘Hot-Spots’ to detect bat-on-ball contact and
‘Hawk-Eye’ (Top-End Sports, 2015). Such developments in technology
were illustrated during the 2015 World Cup within the decision review
system (DRS).
Rugby
History
Origins of rugby were brought by England during the 1820s, where a rugby
school student, William Webb Ellis, carried and ran with the ball forward
during a schoolyard game, rather than the traditional way at the time which
was to carry it back towards his line. The discrepancy of rules between
different schools took a while to reach a mutual agreement, after which
rose in popularity during the 1860s and spread beyond the English shores
(Rookwood, 2003).
Evolution
Rugby then became widespread across New Zealand, with provisional
teams established and competing against each other during the late 19th
century. The first international game of rugby for New Zealand was in 1903;
All Blacks vs Australia. A shorter, fast-paced format, rugby sevens, was
also introduced and made globally popular through the World Rugby Seven
Series held annually since 1999 (NZ Rugby, 2016). In 1995, the
professional era of rugby was declared by the IRB, following the success of
the 1995 World Cup (BBC Sport, 2005).
Technological Impacts
According to Top-end Sports (2016), ‘Hawk-Eye’ technology has also been
adapted within rugby, and has been used throughout the 2015 World Cup
to aid officials in their decision making to showcase enhanced video replay
technology. The use of synchronized camera angles and apparatus
improved decision making calls by the television match official (TMO) as
well as assessing replays in terms of ensuring player safety and ethical
play.
Cricket
Rules/Objectives
Cricket involves 2 teams of 11 players, and is played with a bat and ball on
an elliptical ground. The main playing area is known as a pitch, which lays
at the centre of the ground. The overall objective is to score as many runs
as possible when you’re put out to bat, and to dismiss the opposition team
for as little as possible when put out to field.
There are 3 formats of cricket; test match, ODI and Twenty20. Rules differ
slightly for each format, with the main variable being the duration. Test
matches are spread across 5 days in which each team has 2 innings, where
a team has to dismiss a team out twice and go on to score more than them
runs to win. There is no limit in terms of overs per innings, which
differentiates from the other limited-over formats (one innings of 50 overs
and 20 overs each respectively).
Ways to score runs in terms of the batting side is to make bat-on-ball
contact and to place shots around the ground. Runs are scored when
batsmen run a pitch-length when the ball is in field play. Boundaries such
as 4s and 6s are scored when the ball reaches the outer circumference of
the playing field, either along the ground (4) or on the full (6).
An over is a set of 6 legal deliveries bowled to a batsman. Regulatory
deliveries include ‘wides’ (out of reach to score) and ‘no balls’, in which the
bowler as over-stepped their run-up or delivered the ball above waist-high
to a batsman. Each illegal delivery is given 1 run to the oppositions score.
Common ways to dismiss batsman include bowling them out at the striker’s
end, LBW, run-out, caught, stumped, and in some extraordinary cases, hitwicket.
When a team claims an opposition’s 10 wickets, the innings is over
(Cricket Rules, 2016).
Rugby
Rules/Objectives
Rugby involves 2 teams of 15 players (with up to 8 substitute players
permitted) and is played with an oval-shaped ball on a 100 metre
rectangular field. At each, goal posts are set up in the shape of an ‘H’ to
indicate where to score.
The objective is to simply score as many points as possible and to outscore
your opposition through carrying/running, passing, kicking and grounding
the ball towards the goal line. A team’s way of defense is to mainly tackle
the opposition’s ball carrier. The duration is usually for 80 minutes,
consisting of two 40 minute halves.
The main ways in which points can be scored are through scoring tries (5
points) converted tries (try + 2 points), penalty goals and drop goals (each
3 points). The team that scores the most points after 80 minutes would be
declared the winner (Rugby How, 2007).
Fouls and penalties include being off side, passing the ball forward, knockon/
loss forward, obstructing opponents, tackling above the shoulders and
tackling whilst in the air. Generally, the ball also has to remain in play, and
if a player carries/kicks the ball out of play or over the touchline, the
opposition gains possession (World Rugby, 2009).
Cricket
Physical & Mental Training
It is essential that cricket players are attentive, paying attention to every
detail, being aware and being immensely concentrated mentally to
maximize the player’s potential. As well as physically practicing in the nets,
mental training is equally important to maintain self-control in terms of addressing
the self’s strengths and weaknesses, and understanding your
own ability.
In relation to former Australian leg-spin bowler Shane Warne, he reflects
his mental capabilities through addressing strengths and weaknesses.
Preferably in help with a coach, these include setting realistic goals,
relaxing to maximize the body’s recovery to identify strengths to work on,
paying attention to body language and state of mind (Hinchliffe, 2007).
Physical training required includes a mix of aerobic training and muscular
endurance. Aerobic training is needed in order to score runs and preserve
energy whilst fielding on the filed for immense periods of time. In order to
train for such conditions, players undergo short 100m run intervals, 3-5m
jogging intervals, cross training, circuit training and high intensity training
(Sport Fitness Advisor, 2016).
Cricket is mainly an aerobic-endurance sport due to the physical demands
on the body across all formats and facets of the game. Typical cricket game
would include bowling, batting and fielding for extended periods of time,
and the body would therefore need to continuously transport oxygenated
blood throughout the body to prevent the body wearing down (focusing on
VO2 max). Alternatively, for shorter formats of the game, muscular
endurance would be of high interest, especially when batting demands
players to execute bigger shots in a shorter time-frame.
Nutritional Requirements
According to Sport Fitness Advisor (2016), nutritional requirements include
a mix of training and match-day nutrition. Elite cricketers may base their
diet consisting of nutrient-dense foods as intensity may vary with multiple
training sessions. Such a balance may include an intake of fruit, vegetables,
low-fat foods and lean meat. Match day nutrition will mainly be prioritized
to keeping the body hydrated with fluids throughout the day (AU Sport,
2016).
Common Injuries/Risks
Common injuries and risks include fractures in the upper limb and muscle
strains in the lower limb. Fractures may occur in the phalanges and
metacarpals in the process of fielding or batting if the ball contacts the hand
and the ball is not handled correctly (Belliappa & Barton, 1991). Muscle
strains include tears/cramps in the quadriceps or hamstrings as players
may be out on the field for lengthy periods of time and haven’t
stretched/warmed-up the working muscle groups accordingly (Stretch,
1993).
Rugby
Physical & Mental Training
Rugby is a pronounced as a contact-heavy physical sport. Players in turn
would have to shape and work their body in order to cope with the extreme
physicality of the game, as well as mentally, to ensure players have a
competitive edge against their opponents.
Physical training includes various aspects to train a player’s technique.
These may consist of a range of step-by-step development of motor skills
that are essential in the game. The specific manner in which players
exercise these skills will furthermore increase the fluidity and efficiency of
gameplay, whether it may be through kicking, passing, tackling, rucking
and/or sprinting with the ball in hand. Training of these skills will thereof
improve a player’s strength/power, speed, endurance and coordination.
Mental training required are implemented through a tactical vision, where
players are trained to understand the game thoroughly. A sound knowledge
of these tactical skills involve the knowledge of fundamental strategies for
the game (through attack and defense), analysis of an opposition’s
strategy, developing an understanding of the laws and regulations of the
game, and assessing how automation is achieved through a player’s ability
to employ such tactics on a game field. Therefore, a blend of mental and
physical training will guide a player to perform at their optimum level
(Bompa & Claro, 2015).
Rugby is mainly a muscular-endurance sport (for forwards) as a full 80-
minute match may consist of several tackles, scrums, lineouts, kicking, etc.
Focusing on muscular endurance is crucial for players in terms of covering
distance in short periods, acceleration and the potential to generate the
maximum amount of force with several muscle contractions (Hall, 2015).
However, backs are heavily reliant on aerobic endurance (i.e. 20 minute
sprints and jogs) to train players’ aerobic capacity in delivering oxygenated
blood throughout the body (VO2 max).
Nutritional Requirements
The role of nutrition should not be taken as an understating factor
contributing to a player’s abilities. It is critical for players to be eating well
at least 80% to optimize performance. An appropriate diet may consist of
a player incorporating carbohydrates and protein into their meals and
eating at regular intervals to ensure excellent body composition and
adaptation to training (Morton, 2016).
Common Injuries/Risks
According to Power (2016), typically 1-4 rugby players in a team will suffer
from an injury in a season. 57% of these injuries occur within a match.
Common injuries include muscular strains and sprains from various parts of
the body. In extreme cases, concussions from head-related injuries
result in the most severe cases. Prevention strategies for such incidences
may include focusing on defensive coaching, technique refinement and
methods to reduce absorption of impact forces (i.e. tackles).
Cricket
Major Issue
A major issue that cricket has faced in the past is match-fixing. In general
terms, match-fixing is when the outcome of a game is dishonestly
determined by another’s deliberate action.
In relation to Pakistani fast-bowler Amir Khan, the young 18-year old at the
time was oblivious of his own actions and was a victim of match fixing on
various occasions. As a result, Khan was subject to a five-year international
ban from playing the game (Wilson, 2012).
Khan admitted to spot-fixing on numerous occasions during an English tour
and was deliberately bowling ‘no-balls’ in return for money. Match-fixing is
therefore considered a serious offence in the game and is not within the
spirit of the game.
Rugby
Major Issue
A significant issue within professional rugby is the presence of contract
deals with overseas clubs (particularly French clubs) that pay players
immense amount of money.
In turn, most players are faced with the dilemma of leaving their national
side and leaving their country in order to play the game overseas for a
living.
As a result, national bodies, particularly the NZRU are faced with the issue
in competing to keep national players on their side, given the limited
revenue and funding pool available (Knowler, 2015).
Business Opportunity
A possible opportunity for sport & exercise science to be interlinked with a
business opportunity can be derived from the idea to increase the physical
involvement of New Zealanders.
According to Scoop NZ (2015), a lack of physical activity is a leading cause
of death in New Zealand, and an action plan is needed to increase everyday
levels of activity. Significant factors that contribute to a lack of involvement
include a lack of time and lack of knowledge/motivation (Utter et al., 2006).
Sport NZ (2014) has also indicated that 65.6% of adults say that they are
interested, yet can’t find the appropriate activity.
In cooperation with Sport NZ, an innovative business idea to potentially
increase physical involvement can be through a development of a
smartphone application.
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