Exploration into how cricket batters make sense of situations to enhance anticipation

Abstract

Expert performance in time-constrained tasks like cricket batting depends on integrating multiple information sources to anticipate ball trajectories effectively (Müller et al., 2020). While previous research has examined how skilled batters perceive and update information across individual actions (e.g., Connor et al., 2020; Runswick et al., 2018), less is known about how information is managed over extended sequences of play. The concept of sense-making offers a useful framework for understanding this process, highlighting the dynamic interaction between data and mental models to anticipate outcomes (Klein et al., 2006). This study explored how experienced batters acquire and update information sources throughout a match to make sense of the situation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten semi-professional cricketers (7 male, 3 female), examining how they acquire information, what shapes their expectations, and how these are updated. Thematic analysis, grounded in sense-making theory, identified three overarching themes: constructing an initial understanding of the game situation, monitoring its evolution, and revising it as new information emerges. Participants reported building a stable sense of the situation from contextual cues, updating it with dynamic information, and monitoring key sources like field positioning and bowling patterns. They revised their understanding by interpreting changes as positive or negative momentum shifts, influencing tactical risk-taking and strategic adjustments. Findings show how sense-making enables expert batters to adapt and make effective decisions in time-pressured environments