Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

August 9th 2021: TIAS 2.0 × JCA :: SEKISHO FIELD

2021s Cricket Talent ID Projectst>Continuing TIAS Legacy through Internships at JCA (from the 1 Batch and the 5th batch, and onto the TIAS2.0
1st Batch Students) and promoting Joint Research Projects (Talent ID) with TIAS 2.0<

Preliminary Efforts: Starting with the TIAS 1st Batch (2016) and the 5th Batch student (2020) interns working withthe Japan Cricket Association (JCA, https://cricket.or.jp/en/) the association between TIAS 2.0(https://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/tias2/) has blossomed to mutual interest cooperation comprising not only internships (3- 1st batch students are supposed to join JCA this summer and fall semester) but also the first joint research
between TIAS 2.0 (modules Sport Science and Medicine and Teaching Coaching, Japanese Culture) and JCA. The
rationale was to work together on the Talent Identification for WOMEN amalgamating the JCA protocol with theSport Science and High Performance expertise at TIAS 2.0 and TAIIKU to create a versatile protocol. A visit by
JCA to TIAS 2.0 was held, and a visit by the TIAS 2.0 Internship Chair, Associate Prof. Toshinobu KAWAI(TCJC) and Prof. Randeep Rakwal (SSM) to Sano (Tochigi) was made prior to realization of this project.
Discussions between
Alan CURR (Head of Cricket Operations, Japan Cricket Association, Sano
International Cricket Ground, 300-1 Tochimotocho, Sano, Tochigi, 327-0312, Japan), Dhugal BEDINGFIELD(Coach), and Simon DART (High Performance Manager) and Profs. Rakwal over the past year or so led to theunderstanding the value of cooperation for this new sport and the potential cross-over of talent
The role of SPORT SCIENCE in
detecting talent, and utilization ofwas a motivating factor inbringing about this cooperation with University of Tsukuba (UT)- TIAS2.0/TAIIKU.

SANOICG

The project (named Tsukuba University Women's Cricket Talent ID Day) was conducted at the SEKISHOFIELD (Sports area, UT) with permissions and adequate precautions as per UT/TAIIKU Center rules andregulations. The day began at 9:00 AM with welcoming the JCA staffs and setting up the grounds for the testing,1

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

2021

recording and note taking together. The participants (=research subjects; original 6 had registered, but 2 dropped
health as requested through the health check. Following all equipment checks and all members present including
support staffs, the fitness tests and protocols were put into place explained the whole process and tests to be
carried out starting around 10:30 AM and we finished around 2:30 PM; the weather was cloudy and windy, andwe could avoid any heat stroke issues that day; thanks JCA and Kawai sensei for providing icing and water.

1Yo-Yo-Run-a-3

30m sprint

Max Chin up

Vertical Jump

Plank 5min

Reaction M Board

Medicine Ball ThrowThrowing

23(SIMON DART)
Each of the nine (9) FITNESS-SPECIFIC TESTS: were explained, briefly demonstrated (by the squad members),
and carried out, with detailed record taking; Simon was the lead and Dhugal assisted along with the National2

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

2021

Squad player. Video recordings and photography was also carried out to record the whole project. 5 to 10 minutebreaks were given after each test, and rehydration carried out.

1) Yo-Yo: test to measure the aerobic endurance with the change direction ability; commonly performed at
HP level in cricket, the Yo Yo test
high-intensity aerobic work. It is most relevant for measuring an athlete's capacity to perform repeatedefforts in quick succession while batting.
2) Run-a-3:
to measure the anaerobic endurance with change direction; running
between wickets is a fundamental part of batting in cricket and requires speed, agility, flexibility,coordination and technique. Athletes were given some basic training in the technique required then theirtime was measured.
3) 30 m Sprint: test to measure the short distance running ability; speed and acceleration measurement isused in many sports. Relevant to fielding, batting and bowling - this test was set up by the UT staff.
4) Max Chin-up: test to measure the higher back muscles and the biceps strength; measures upper-bodystrength (in relation to body weight) which is fundamental to many sports, including cricket. Relevant for
both batting and bowling.
5) Vertical Jump: test to measure the leg power; a simple test to perform, measuring lower-body power.
Lower-body power is important for any explosive movements such as fast bowling - this test wasconducted using UT measurement system.
6) Plank 5 min: test to measure the body core muscles strength; a common fitness test of core muscle strength,
used in many sports, including cricket. Core strength is fundamental to batting, bowling and fielding,where balance and stability are required.
7) Medicine Ball Throw: test to measure the explosive back strength power; (Overhead Power Ball Throw):measures core strength and total body power. Relevant for fast bowling, which requires these attributes
and also for batting, where power is becoming more important in modern cricket.
3Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

20218) Throwing: test to measure the long throw ability; a fundamental skill in cricket, the maximum throwing
distance of each athlete was measured. Requires strength, power and, perhaps most importantly, efficientmechanics. Athletes with previous experience in throwing sports excelled at this test.
9) Reaction Board: a special visual function test to measure the vision function.
Following the reaction board (Supreme Vision) testing at GSI building, the team moved back to the SEKISHO field
for CRICKET-SPECIFC TESTING: 5 to 10 minute breaks were given after each test, and rehydration carried out.
Throwing & Catching: a basic drill was set up in which athletes practised throwing and catching in pairs
at various distances. Variety was introduced into the drill to simulate various situations that arise whenfielding in cricket: running towards the ball, lateral movement, catching on the full and off the ground, etc.
Batting & Bowling Drills: Athletes were introduced to the protective batting equipment and given theopportunity to "swing freely" at a moving ball. They were offered some coaching feedback and tested withvarious speeds of throw. The drill requires good hand-eye coordination and a "natural bat swing", both ofwhich can be derived from experience at other sports. Athletes were also taught the basics of bowling andtested on their ability to bowl with a "straight arm", an action which is somewhat foreign to many athletes
but is required under the rules of cricket. Upon learning the required action, athletes were encouraged toincrease the pace of their bowling.
Game Scenario (2 pitches and different scenarios): the fitness tests measured a variety of athletic traits in
isolation but not much in terms of decision-making and problem-solving, which are arguably just as
important when it comes to cricket. A "mini" game of cricket was set up and the athletes were given theopportunity to bat, bowl and field competitively. The aim of such game scenarios is for athletes to learn
the rules and strategy of the game through playing and also gauge the athlete's ability to problem-solve
and make decisions under pressure.

4Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

2021

Finally, a DEBREIF was held, and the Tsukuba University Women's Cricket Talent ID Day was concluded
thanking everyone involved PARTICIPANTS, and the JCA Japan National Squad (Women) TIAS2.0/TAIIKU.

The following is the Feedback from Simon (Simon Dart, High Performance Manager, JCA): Thank you for being involved on Monday 9th August at the Tsukuba University Women's Cricket Talent
ID Day at Tsukuba University. For 2 (out of 6) participants who could not make it, we are very keen tohave you a part of the next steps and let you experience cricket too.
 Both Dhugal and myself (Coaches) were really impressed with your initial cricket skills and athletic ability.
moving ball and fielding and throwing were standouts! Wewould like to teach you more and develop your cricket skills further, with the aim to expose you to cricket
training and matches and ultimately aim for the Women's National Squad in March 2022.
Next Steps We would like you to come to the Sano International Cricket Ground (SICG) in Sano andparticipate in further cricket training sessions. We have 5 sessions planned for this Tsukuba
University student athlete group between September 2021 to March 2022, which we would lovefor you to be a part of and enjoy. We are willing to cover transport costs at JPY 5,000 per person(each) in travel support.
 The first cricket training session will be on Thursday 23rd September (public holiday) from10:30 to 12:30 at SICG in Sano. More info and details will be emailed shortly to you and a google
form to fill out your availability.

Thank you TAIIKU CENTER for the permission and great support. Thanks to all the PARTICIPANTS (4University Female Students, Hinata, Yoshioka, Mako-all from UT, and Yamauchi-Soka University), JCA STAFFS(Simon and Dhugal, and Manami) and Japan Women's National Cricket PLAYERS (4 squad members; Meg, Toki,Erika, and Manami). Thank you TIAS2.0 Faculty (Drs. Kawai and Rakwal)
5Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
University of Tsukuba

2021

support (Takafumi, Shigeki, Abe Hayato, and Sena Takahasi) for making this a successful day in terms of data
. We look forward to the next
project and continuing our cooperation through CRICKET, SPORT and SPORT SCIENCE-HIGH
PERFORMANCE. Further, JCA × TIAS2.0 INTERNSHIPS start in September 2021; THANK YOU ALL at theSANO INTERNATIONAL CRICKET GROUND.
Thank you Kawai sensei, Simon and Dhugal and Alan for inputs to finalize this report.
Sincerely Yours

2021.09.07
Dr. Randeep RAKWAL, Ph.D.
Professor,
Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0),
Global Sport Innovation Bldg., Room 403, UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA,
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
Email - plantproteomics@gmail.com - rakwal.randeep.fu@u.tsukuba.ac.jp (office)
Mobile (+81) 090-1853-7875 / Office phone (+81)029-853-2681
Websites: http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/tias2// http://www.trios.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/researcher/0000003045

LINKS
http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/tias2/
https://www.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp/jp/
www.cricket.or.jp
www.twitter.com/CricketJapanwww.facebook.com/cricketjapan
www.instagram.com/japan_cricket

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