Injuries in Cricket

16.Feb.21 | Podiatry

Podiatry and Cricket

By Riley Irving

Whether it’s being played in the backyard, on the beach cricket or on the hallowed MCG turf cricket been integrated into our Australian culture for centuries. According to recent data cricket increased its stance as Australia’s most popular sport as over 1,311,184 million participating players were recorded over the 2015-2016 season, with a staggering increase of 8.5% from the previous year. With the inclusion of multiple forms cricket, it’s now more important than ever for players to improve their awareness on potential injuries that may prevent further participation.

In comparison to Australian Rules Football, rugby union/ league and soccer, cricket is considered a much safer sport to play at all levels due to differing physical demands of the game. Physical requirements of the game still expose players to repetitive actions of jogging, jumping, sprinting which have the potential to direct forces of high impact of the structures of the lower limb. The toes, ankles, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and the bones of the feet are at greater risk of injury as these forces have the potential to be more than two-three times our body weight as they are completed at a faster pace than general walking speed.

Injuries in cricket are varied as there are many positional and styles of cricket played . The most commonly injured cricketers are the fast bowlers, unlike the batsman, fielders, wicketkeepers and spin bowlers, the fast bowlers account for 16% of potential playing time missed through injuries. Below is a list of commonly experiences discomforts and injuries of cricketers of all forms may experience.

 

Potential problems and when to seek the help of a podiatrist:

  • Heel Pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Fractures to the foot and ankle
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Sesamoiditis
  • Posterior impingement syndrome
  • Shin splints
  • Lower back pain

The list above indicated that more chronic and overuse related injuries are commonly found over acute injuries. The lack of injury awareness and treatments may potentially impact on a player’s physical ability to participate in the sport. Early intervention of a biomechanical review of the patients muscle, joint, ligament integrity and functioning as well as information about injury prevention and footwear selection may minimise the risk of the development of further injuries and help improve your function overall.

If you have the tendency or have suffered from any form of foot and ankle trauma come and speak to our friendly Bayside Podiatrists at Physiosports Brighton and Pursue Health Highett to help put you on the right path. Book online by clicking here.