The reliability and sensitivity of performance measures in a novel pace bowling test

Objectives: Evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of performance measures in a novel pace bowling test. Methods: Thirteen male amateur club fast bowlers completed a novel pace bowling test on two separate occasions, 4-7 days apart. Participants delivered 48 balls (8 overs), at five targets on a suspended sheet, situated behind a ‘live’ batter who stood in a right-handed and left-handed stance for an equal amount of deliveries. Delivery instruction was frequently changed, with all deliveries executed in a pre-planned sequence. Ball release speed data was captured by radar gun. A high-speed camera captured the moment of ball impact to the target sheet, for assessment of radial error and bivariate variable error. Delivery rating of perceived exertion (% from 0–100) was collected as a measure of intensity. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation data revealed excellent reliability for peak and mean ball release speed, acceptable reliability for delivery rating of perceived exertion, and poor reliability for mean radial error, bivariate variable error, and variability of ball release speed. The smallest worthwhile change data indicated high sensitivity with peak and mean ball release speed, and lower sensitivity with mean radial error and bivariate variable error. Conclusions: The novel pace bowling test comprises improvements in ecological validity compared to its predecessors, and can be used to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of pace bowling performance. The smallest worthwhile change data can improve interpretation of pace bowling research findings and may therefore influence recommendations for applied practice.