📍 THE WEEK’S RADAR

• Fox Bio reveals the science behind BGT's fast bowling display: wrists, levers, and pure pace

• Jaiswal’s BGT Story: Adaptable, relentless, and hungry – Jaiswal’s brilliance shines under pressure.

• Snicko Bat meets Flexi Stump: How two simple tools are reshaping wicket-keeping practice

• Research links shoulder mobility to bowling speed; Babar revisits the kinetic chain

• 'Game Face' - from Kobe's Mamba Mentality to cricket's pressure moments

• Control & Conquer: A new bowling drill where every ball counts, literally

FROM THE ANALYSIS BOX

Leverage and Lightning

The BGT highlighted what Ponting dubbed fast bowling at its finest. Bumrah's wrist – analysed by Fox Bio – adds an incredible 60km/h to his deliveries, transforming an 18km/h approach into searing 135km/h deliveries. That trademark straight front leg both Bumrah and Cummins share? It's nature's perfect lever, channelling momentum into raw pace and enabling remarkable accuracy across long spells. Boland proved that precision at top of off, mixed with subtle angles, still dominates on responsive wickets. This is fast bowling brilliance, where science and skill redefine cricket's toughest stage.

Mind and Method: Inside Jaiswal’s BGT Story

Jaiswal stood out in the BGT, driven by pure hunger for runs. His shift from a trigger moving creasewards to front-foot advances reflected a mind always seeking solutions. Each session brought fresh challenges; each innings unveiled smart adjustments in footwork and crease use. This drive to adapt, sharpened through hours at the RR's High Performance Centre and beyond, sets him apart - a rare talent turning pressure into opportunity.

COACH’S KIT BAG

The Keeper’s Arsenal

THE SCIENCE OF SKILL

The Speed-Mobility Matrix

Biomechanical research links shoulder mobility to bowling speed, showing that greater internal rotation and total arc movement correlate with faster release speeds via improved trunk flexion and delayed arm circumduction. Coaches should reassess mobility training, especially early in development, to optimise speed and technique while minimising injury risks, considering adaptations often differ among elite bowlers.

Chain Reaction: Form meets Flow

Babar’s refined technique highlights optimal biomechanical sequencing. His trigger movement incorporates a more pronounced front-foot opening - shoulders oriented toward mid-on - achieving research's ideal Position of Readiness (POR). This kinematic sequence optimises force transfer from ground through proximal to distal segments, preventing compensatory movements common in rigid side-on positions. This set up prioritises natural alignment over traditional rigidity, improving both stability and flow.

BETWEEN THE EARS

Game Face Amid Chaos

Just as Kobe crafted his 'Mamba Mentality' for every court challenge, athletes can develop their own mental anchor for pressure moments. Like the CEO who created 'CALM FOCUSED PETER' to handle a talented but challenging employee, it's about finding your unique performance state. The Game Face isn't just a concept - it's a deliberate mindset that aligns thoughts, emotions, and focus when stakes are highest.

Job Board

JOB OF THE WEEK 🏏

Managing Director - Dorset Cricket, United Kingdom

The Managing Director will provide leadership and strategic direction for Dorset Cricket, ensuring cricket's long-term sustainability and growth across the County.

🔗View Complete Job Board 🔗

HOUSE OF COACHES

Control & Conquer

Setup: 30-min intensive session. Bowlers work in pairs, alternating 4-over spells. Start with 50 pressure points.

Key Rules: Must declare bowling plan before each over. Field settings adjusted every 2 overs. Tactical reviews between overs.

Scoring: EARN points: Dot ball (+5), Beaten/Edge (+10), Wicket (+20), Perfect plan execution (+15) LOSE points: Boundary (-15), Extras (-20), Failed plan execution (-10)

Coach role: Creates match scenarios, adjusts batting approach, adds tactical challenges.

Victory: Maintain 50+ points through spell to be "Elite Control Specialist". Consequence: Lose all points? Focus drills on line, length, and execution.

_{Coaching Pro - Cricket Edition is a Contentive Publication in the Sports Division}