Injury patterns of South African international cricket players over a two-season period

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and nature of injury patterns of South African international cricket players. Methods. A questionnaire was completed for each cricketer who presented with an injury during the 2004 - 2005 (S1) and 2005 - 2006 (S2) cricket seasons to determine the anatomical site, month, diagnosis and mechanism of injury. Results. The results showed that 113 injuries were sustained, with a match exposure time of 1 906 hours for one-day internationals (ODIs) and 5 070 hours for test matches. The injury prevalence was 4% per match, while the incidence of injury was 90 injuries per 10 000 hours of matches. Injuries occurred mostly to the lower limbs, back and trunk, upper limbs and head and neck. The injuries occurred primarily during test matches (43%), practices (20%) and practices and matches (19%). Acute injuries comprised 87% of the injuries. The major injuries during S1 were haematomas (20 %), muscle strains (14%) and other trauma (20%), while during S2 the injuries were primarily muscle strains (16%), other trauma (32%), tendinopathy (10%) and acute sprains (12%). The primary mechanisms of injury occurred when bowling (67%), on impact by the ball (batting – 65%, fielding – 26%) and when sliding for the ball (19%). Conclusion. The study provided prospective injury incidence and prevalence data for South African cricketers playing at international level over a two-season period, high-lighting the increased injury prevalence for away matches and an increased match injury incidence for test and ODI matches possibly as a result of increased match exposure time.