Purpose: This study explored the association between strength and power capacities and bat speed in female cricketers to inform strength and conditioning practices. Methods: Twenty-nine professional female cricketers volunteered for 3 testing sessions. Day 1: participant information, grip strength, medicine-ball push for maximum velocity, 10/5 Reactive Strength Index Hop Test. Day 2: isometric midthigh pull, vertical jump, 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) bench pull, and maximum-repetition body-weight push-up. Day 3: maximal bat speed for 4 cricket shots—cut (BScut), drive (BSdrive), pull (BSpull), and slog (BSslog)—versus 3 delivery types (off-spin, medium, and fast). Statistical analysis (a = .05) included Pearson r, multiple linear regression (R-squared), and 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Tukey HSD analysis. Results: Overall bat speed was associated with absolute 1RM bench pull (r = .70, P < .0001), dominant medicine-ball push for maximum velocity (r = .65, P < .0001), nondominant medicine-ball push for maximum velocity (r = .60, P < .0001), and absolute isometric midthigh pull (r = .47, P = .01). Physical capacities regression modeling explained 52.7% of variance in bat speed overall (adjusted R-squared = .5267, standard error of estimate = 2.40, P < .0001). BScut was slower than all shots (P < .0001). BScut (P < .0001), BSdrive (P < .0001), and BSpull (P < .0001) were slower during fast versus off-spin deliveries. Conclusions: Absolute upper-body pulling strength, dominant rotational power, and absolute total-body isometric strength are critical qualities for power-hitting training in female cricketers. Practitioners may include these findings in their program design to better support female athletes.
© Copyright 2025 International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.