Speed Guns : Good or Evil

The speed gun, at each end of a cricket field has often brought excitement amongst big crowds and fast bowlers alike.  Donald vs Akthar vs Lee vs Steyn vs Tait vs Roach, who will be the quickest of the day and the quickest in a tournament?

Before the advent of a speed gun at a cricket ground, we could probably count/ or assume the number of 140kmph plus fast bowlers around the world.  Today, there are arguably 2-3 per team.  I believe this is a concern. 

The speed gun must form part of the variables that put fast bowlers at risk to injury.  Workloads, age, bowling action and previous injury are amongst the other variables that put fast bowlers at risk.   I feel that the introduction of the speed gun, has made fast bowlers believe that they need to bowl at speeds of 140kmph plus, hence we are getting much younger bowlers, who are not anatomically ready, bowling at high speeds and hence injuries are occurring.

Cummins, Pattison, De Lange, to name a few are young fast bowlers currently on the side lines due to injury.  The general cricketing consensus, is that, we cannot buy speed.  Once a fast bowler consistently bowls at 140kmph plus, eyebrows are raised and there is excitement amongst coaches, selectors and the fast bowlers themselves.   Fast bowlers around the world and working their hardest to strive to become that 140kmph plus man and this ultimately puts even more strain on a bowlers body.   Research in Australia showed that Brett Lee, put 9-15 times his body weight through this ankle at front foot landing, hence he has had 6 ankle operations and a few other injuries during his career.

A concern of mine, is the consistency of the speed guns, particularly in our domestic competition.  I can confidently say that, the speeds shown on TV, have not been a true reflection of the bowlers work.  Speeds have been inconsistent at both ends of the field and this either builds a bowlers confidence or on the other hand breaks him down. 

Do not get me wrong, speed guns are part of the game now and brings a lot more excitement within the match.   Whats more exciting to see a fast bowler bowling at high speeds, bouncing batsman and creating a battle on the field. Speed does select individuals and brings in the crowds but managing workloads and assessing bowling actions of young men are just as important as a 140kmph plus man.

@Craig_gov

A Bruised Heel

A Bruised Heel

An injury which a common and debilitating to fast bowlers, is the front foot bruised heel or also known as the Policeman's heel.  The area of concern is often inflammation to the fat pad, which forms as a shock absorber to the heel bone (calcaneus).  Due to repetitive front foot heel strike impact (7-9times a bowlers body weight) and ground reaction forces, this may well become an overuse injury which can keep a bowler out for a while.

Apart from a cricketer experiencing this injury, gymnasts, long distance runners, skydivers (when landing), indoor volleyball, basketball

players and military/police individuals also experience this type of injury due to excessive heel striking.  Therefore good shock absorption is extremely important in footwear.  A military/police individual marches on very hard soles which would result in injury.  Similarly a long distance runner, who's running shoes is their only equipment, needs to have a shoe with proper shock absorption and it needs to be changed regularly.  It is said that a running shoe only lasts 600km, before the cushioning is worn out.  A long distance athlete should also own 2 of the same model running shoe, one would be to train in and the other used to compete in.  Buying a proper running shoe is also dependent on the individual's weight and the shoe should be bought to suit his/her weight.

The heel will always be subject to stress when performing activities, however specific factors may place an individual at greater risk to injury.  They are the following:

Excessive body weight and ground reaction forces 

Age

Poorly cushioned or worn out running shoes

Hard inner soles/orthotics

Increases in workload/mileage 

Hard/uneven training surfaces

Training barefoot

A heel bruise can occur from a one time accident (poor skydiving landing) from a height or repetitive landing over time (front foot fast bowling landing).

As a fast bowler it is often important to eliminate a stress fracture to the heel.   An x-ray or MRI can be done, with the latter being more precise, with regards to a possible stress fracture but can also guide us in diagnosing the area of fat pad pockets inflammed. 

Treatment for this particular injury involves P.R.I.C.E

P - Protection - the individual must not put weight through the heel, crutches 

       may be used.

R - Rest - the individual must stop all activity and loading until pain subsides.

I -  Ice - regular icing is important to reduce pain and inflammation.  Icing 

     should only be done for 20min at a time, every 2 hours.

C - Compression - the heel needs to be compressed with a bandage to help

      limit inflammation and bleeding.

E - Elevation - Keep the heel above heart level for effective lymph (waste) drainage.

Once the individual is able to weight bear without pain, silicone heel cups need to be inserted into shoes to help healing.  Orthotics if used should not be made of hard material, as this could have caused the initial injury and therefore would not allow for healing.  Good  cushioned footwear can go a long way in protecting the heel from reinjury. 

@Craig_gov

The Momentum Cup

The 14 December 2012, will be the 3rd franchise final at the Bullring in a matter of 9 months.  That in itself must be a South African record for a Franchise. 

A good squad of men will line up on the 14th December 2012, to take on the winner of a mouth watering semi - final between the Cobras and the Titans.  Both squads will have all their Proteas available for selection.

The Lions initially began the opener of the Momentum Cup against our rivals, The Titans, with a empathic victory.  Much of the team spirit and "momentum", definitely came from our Champions League campaign.  Something which new captain, Stephen Cook wanted to continue.  "Momentum" is a huge factor in cricket and getting off to a good start and creating a string of victories can never be over rated.

A simple game plan has allowed the players to understand roles and be confident enough to execute skills when required.  Results have proved that we have been playing good cricket but if our first game has anything to go by, we definitely have more in the tank.  With our very own Proteas returning from a highly successful tour to Australia, confident, the level of skill and ability will definitely improve.  

From an injury and fitness point of view,  I am on track in providing the selectors with an entire squad for hungry players, who would love nothing more then providing their fans with a trophy.

Preparation for the final, begins on Monday and no stone will be left unturned, in our quest for that elusive trophy.