Kinematic Factors Affecting Good Length Bowling of Under-25 Wrist Spin Bowlers in Rathnapura District

Authors

Mulkapuge Don Nipun Lakshan Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0311-4623
Arangala Witharanalage Suraj Chandana Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1706-8736
Hembadura Dewna Randini Silva Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9329-8611

Keywords:

Wrist spin bowling, Kinematic analysis, Angular displacement, Length accuracy, Kinetic chain

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the kinematic variables associated with good length bowling among under-25 wrist-spin bowlers in Rathnapura District, Sri Lanka. The main objective was to identify the biomechanical variables associated with good length and non-good length deliveries.

Material and Methods: Five under-25 wrist-spin bowlers were selected through purposive sampling from district-level club cricket teams in Rathnapura District. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was conducted on the bowling actions using a Qualisys motion capture system at 100 Hz. Reflective markers were placed on the major joints of the upper and lower limbs. A total of 96 bowling actions were analyzed, consisting of good length deliveries (n=14) and non-good length deliveries (n=82). Joint angles, angular displacements, and peak angular velocities from front foot contact (FFC) to ball release (BR) were calculated using three-dimensional vector analysis. Since the data were non-normal and the sample sizes were unequal, and repeated deliveries were obtained from a small number of bowlers, non-parametric statistical procedures were employed. Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation were conducted at α = 0.05.

Result: The results revealed that wrist angular displacement from FFC to BR was the only variable that significantly differentiated good length and non-good length deliveries (p = 0.032). A moderate negative correlation was found between wrist angular displacement and delivery outcome (ρ = -0.28, p = 0.030). No significant differences were found in the proximal segment displacements and peak angular velocities. These findings emphasize the role of the distal segment in wrist-spin bowling in terms of wrist angular displacement in achieving good length in bowling.

Conclusion: The findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited sample size and nested structure of repeated deliveries within bowlers. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is required to confirm these preliminary observations.

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Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Lakshan, M. D. N., Chandana, A. W. S., & Silva, H. D. R. (2026). Kinematic Factors Affecting Good Length Bowling of Under-25 Wrist Spin Bowlers in Rathnapura District. JSES : Journal of Sport and Exercise Science, 9(2), 100–108. Retrieved from https://journal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/jses/article/view/53480