LONDON - New research suggests that keeping an eye on the ball may not be the best tactic for a cricket batsman.
Previously it had been thought that batsmen must use direct visual measurements to predict the trajectory of a fast-moving cricket ball.
These could be in the form of the image expansion of the ball as it approaches, or differences between what is seen by each of the batsman's eyes.
But some experts have questioned whether such measurements, made in a fraction of a second, would be accurate enough.
The new findings suggest that batsmen do not keep their eyes glued to the ball after all.
A study of three cricketers of varying skill showed that, in general, all produced a similar sequence of eye movements.
Their eyes followed the ball's trajectory for a short time after release, and then shifted quickly below the ball to the site where it would be predicted to bounce.
They then fixated on the ball again as it bounced and followed its upward trajectory for a short period afterwards.
The findings, from Professor Michael Land and Dr Peter McLeod, of the University of Sussex in Brighton, are reported in the December issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Professor Land said: "I think batsmen will be horrified to hear they take their eyes off the ball. It certainly surprised us."
The scientists studied three batsmen - "Mark," a professional who has opened the batting for Warwickshire, "Charlie," a successful amateur who plays Minor Counties cricket for Oxfordshire, and "Richard," an amateur described as "enthusiastic but incompetent."
All three were monitored while batting against a bowling machine.
- NZPA
Cricket: Watch on cricket ball an eye-opener
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