The how and why of sporting expertise: Implications from the study of experts to skill acquisition in cricket

Expertise in cricket is not easily acquired. Consequently, finding means to accelerate the acquisition of expertise through improved training methods or enhanced identification and support of talented performers is fundamental to a successful sports system. The systematic study of sports expertise can assist with identifying the essential attributes of exceptional performers, in determining the unique ways in which experts differ from non-experts and in providing guidance as to what factors should be given emphasis in talent identification and development. Recent research is informative as to the limiting factors to batting expertise, the use of different information ('cues') by batsmen of different skill levels and the developmental factors known to be associated with the emergence of cricketing skill. (author abstract)