Shoulder injuries in cricket fast bowlers: Dr Sibi Walter

Fast bowling the most physically demanding action in cricket. The shoulder endures extreme forces and ranges of motion every ball. Despite its crucial role, the shoulder is often overlooked until pain strikes, by which point, damage may already have occurred.

To shed light on this issue, we spoke to Dr Sibi Walter, whose doctoral research at the University of Canterbury focused on shoulder injuries in cricket fast bowlers. His work provides valuable insights into why these injuries happen and what bowlers and coaches can do to reduce risk.

The unique demands on a fast bowler’s shoulder

Unlike sports such as baseball, cricket fast bowlers deliver the ball with a straight arm, creating unique biomechanical challenges. Bowling involves:

• High degrees of shoulder abduction and external rotation during the wind-up.
• Rapid internal rotation and horizontal adduction during release.
• High deceleration forces as the arm follows through.

In Dr Walter’s studies, bowlers displayed peak external rotation angles between 140°–160°, placing immense stress on soft tissues (Walter, 2020).

Throwing from the boundary adds even greater strain. While bowlers may manage their bowling loads, they often underestimate how much throwing contributes to cumulative shoulder workload.

What the research shows about shoulder injuries

Dr Walter’s research, conducted among fast bowlers in New Zealand, revealed striking figures:

“35% of fast bowlers reported current shoulder pain, and over 50% had experienced pain in the past two years.” (Walter, 2020)

Key findings included:

• Bowlers with shoulder pain showed significantly reduced internal rotation range of motion in their dominant arm compared to those without pain.
• Significant asymmetries in external rotator strength between dominant and non-dominant shoulders were observed.
• Bowlers with a history of shoulder pain performed less well on the seated medicine ball throw, an indicator of upper-body power (Walter et al., 2021).

This confirms that shoulder pain in fast bowlers isn’t simply bad luck. There are measurable deficits and imbalances associated with higher injury risk.

Why shoulder injuries happen

Dr Walter’s thesis identified several factors contributing to shoulder injury in fast bowlers:

• Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD): Bowlers develop excessive external rotation, often at the cost of reduced internal rotation, leading to altered joint mechanics.
• Posterior shoulder tightness: Tightness in the back of the shoulder can shift the humeral head forward during high-speed actions, increasing impingement risk.
• Rotator cuff weakness: The rotator cuff stabilises the shoulder. Weakness here makes bowlers vulnerable to overload injuries.
• Repetitive high-load actions: Both bowling and throwing involve rapid acceleration and deceleration, creating shear and compressive forces on shoulder tissues.

“Bowlers often have normal external rotation but significant loss of internal rotation, leading to what’s called glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). That’s a known risk factor for shoulder injuries.” (Walter, 2020)

Overuse and poor workload management compound these risks, especially in younger bowlers undergoing growth spurts.

How to reduce the risk

The good news? Many shoulder problems are preventable. Dr Walter recommends a proactive approach:

Screening

Regular screening should assess:

• Internal and external rotation range of motion
• Strength of external rotators vs internal rotators
• Functional power tests like the seated medicine ball throw

Early identification of deficits allows tailored interventions before pain develops.

Strength & mobility training

Dr Walter’s research highlights exercises effective for fast bowlers:

• Posterior shoulder stretches to maintain soft tissue length.
• Rotator cuff strengthening using bands or cables, focusing on external rotation.
• Scapular control drills to stabilise shoulder mechanics.
• Indian clubbell exercises to promote controlled shoulder mobility and strength throughout large ranges of motion (Walter, 2020).

Workload management

• Avoid sudden increases in bowling or throwing volume.
• Count throwing workload alongside bowling.
• Schedule adequate rest between high-load sessions.

Listen to pain signals

“Pain during bowling is not normal. It’s a sign that something is overloaded or structurally stressed.” (Walter, 2020)

Ignoring symptoms leads to longer recovery times and potential structural damage.

Practical tips for cricketers and coaches

• Monitor shoulder range of motion regularly.
• Address deficits early. Prevention is far easier than rehab.
• Balance your training. Don’t just bowl; train for mobility, strength, and control.
• Be honest about pain. Early intervention protects long-term careers.
• Incorporate mobility work like Indian club drills into warm-ups.
• Educate players about safe workloads and recovery practices.

Conclusion

Fast bowlers put tremendous demands on their shoulders, but injury doesn’t have to be inevitable. Thanks to research like Dr Sibi Walter’s, we know where the risks lie and how to reduce them through screening, strength work, and smart workload management.‍

References

Walter, S. N. (2020). Shoulder injuries of cricket fast bowlers in New Zealand. PhD Thesis, University of Canterbury.

Walter, S. N., McErlain-Naylor, S. A., et al. (2021). Are there any differences in shoulder muscle strength and range of motion between fast bowlers with and without shoulder pain? New Zealand Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(1), 17-21.

Walter, S. N., McErlain-Naylor, S. A., et al. (2020). Shoulder muscle strength and function in cricket fast bowlers. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6:e001340.

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