I've just got back from a week in Melbourne with the SA 2nd XI cricket team, who were competing in the Twenty20 Baby Bash competition. South Australia won the tournament - check out this link for details http://www.cricket.com.au/
The injuries in cricket are certainly quite different from those in football and rugby, the sports that I have spent most of my time working with prior to now. For a start, there is a bat and a ball involved! This automatically brings about different injuries - impact injuries from the ball; overuse injuries from prolonged periods of batting or bowling.
One of the most common injuries in cricket fast bowlers is lumbar spine stress fractures. These usually occur gradually over time due to repeated stresses through the spine. If you have ever watched the slow motion replays of cricket fast bowlers during their bowling action, it's easy to understand why stress fractures occur so commonly.
Contusions or haematomas from the impact of the ball are also relatively common, although there is considerable padding and protection (helmets) to prevent these injuries.
Lower and upper limb soft tissue injuries, both acute and overuse related, can occur due to the running and throwing actions needed.
It is important for cricketers to be fit and strong in both their upper and lower body, as well as their spine and core muscles to prevent injuries. The range of physical skills involved in the game, including batting, bowling, fielding ( including catching and throwing) and for one player in each team wicket keeping, require a range of strengths and flexibilities. It's not as simple as running onto the football field!
It was a very interesting week. The team of 13 players played six Twenty20 games in five days, winning five of six. Each bowler was required to bowl four overs per day, while the batsman may have been required for up to 20 overs, if they could stay in that long! A few minor injuries were sustained but overall it was a very successful week. Many of the players in the team are competing with the Adelaide Strikers in the Twenty20 Big Bash championship coming up. I'll be watching with added interest!
If you're a cricketer and have aches and pains, don't leave it too long without getting it checked. See your Good Country Physiotherapy physiotherapist in Keith or Bordertown today!
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