AI analysis declares Batting vs. elite fast bowling to be more difficult than returning 130 mph tennis serves

[Vilander]

On 4/1/2025 at 3:47 AM, rangeelaraja said:

But hey, only one of them has to deal with a red leather missile at 90 mph that might swing in and then out after pitching

This was Ai trying to gratify in prior response. It responded with reasoning that the promts are coming in with pre conceived notions and tried to soften it's responses.

[Vilander]

Lol. Deep research agrees with the op. 

 

"Based on the comprehensive analysis of fundamental techniques, physical demands, strategic depth, the impact of external conditions, learning curves, expert opinions, common challenges, and inherent variability, it is evident that mastering cricket batsmanship presents a greater overall challenge compared to mastering tennis.

 

Several factors contribute to this conclusion. Firstly, the unpredictability inherent in cricket batsmanship due to the bounce and movement of the ball after pitching, influenced by highly variable pitch conditions and bowler variations, poses a unique and significant hurdle. Batsmen must react not only to the speed and trajectory of the ball in the air but also to its behavior after contacting the pitch, which can change dramatically based on subtle variations in the surface. This contrasts with tennis, where the bounce is generally more predictable and the player reacts directly to the ball's trajectory.

 

Secondly, the direct physical threat posed by fast bowling in cricket, with hard balls bowled at high speeds, adds a psychological and technical dimension not present in tennis. Batsmen must develop techniques to protect themselves while simultaneously focusing on scoring runs, requiring a level of courage and specialized skill to handle high-velocity deliveries that can move unexpectedly.

 

Thirdly, while both sports require strategic thinking, the dynamic interplay between the batsman and the bowler, along with the constantly evolving field settings in cricket, demands a continuous and nuanced strategic adaptation from the batsman. The need to anticipate bowler variations, understand field placements, and select appropriate shots based on these factors and the ever-changing match situation creates a complex strategic environment for the batsman.

 

While tennis demands exceptional athleticism, technical precision across a variety of strokes, and significant mental fortitude for individual competition, the added layers of unpredictability, physical risk, and the intricate strategic battle against a skilled bowler in varying conditions make mastering cricket batsmanship a more arduous and demanding endeavor. The subtle nuances of reading pitch conditions, anticipating diverse bowling styles, and executing shots with precision against a moving ball at high speed require a unique combination of skill, courage, and mental acuity that arguably surpasses the challenges of mastering tennis."

 

I will share the research doc some time it has several citations.

[Muloghonto]

7 hours ago, Vilander said:

Lol. Deep research agrees with the op. 

 

"Based on the comprehensive analysis of fundamental techniques, physical demands, strategic depth, the impact of external conditions, learning curves, expert opinions, common challenges, and inherent variability, it is evident that mastering cricket batsmanship presents a greater overall challenge compared to mastering tennis.

 

Several factors contribute to this conclusion. Firstly, the unpredictability inherent in cricket batsmanship due to the bounce and movement of the ball after pitching, influenced by highly variable pitch conditions and bowler variations, poses a unique and significant hurdle. Batsmen must react not only to the speed and trajectory of the ball in the air but also to its behavior after contacting the pitch, which can change dramatically based on subtle variations in the surface. This contrasts with tennis, where the bounce is generally more predictable and the player reacts directly to the ball's trajectory.

 

Secondly, the direct physical threat posed by fast bowling in cricket, with hard balls bowled at high speeds, adds a psychological and technical dimension not present in tennis. Batsmen must develop techniques to protect themselves while simultaneously focusing on scoring runs, requiring a level of courage and specialized skill to handle high-velocity deliveries that can move unexpectedly.

 

Thirdly, while both sports require strategic thinking, the dynamic interplay between the batsman and the bowler, along with the constantly evolving field settings in cricket, demands a continuous and nuanced strategic adaptation from the batsman. The need to anticipate bowler variations, understand field placements, and select appropriate shots based on these factors and the ever-changing match situation creates a complex strategic environment for the batsman.

 

While tennis demands exceptional athleticism, technical precision across a variety of strokes, and significant mental fortitude for individual competition, the added layers of unpredictability, physical risk, and the intricate strategic battle against a skilled bowler in varying conditions make mastering cricket batsmanship a more arduous and demanding endeavor. The subtle nuances of reading pitch conditions, anticipating diverse bowling styles, and executing shots with precision against a moving ball at high speed require a unique combination of skill, courage, and mental acuity that arguably surpasses the challenges of mastering tennis."

 

I will share the research doc some time it has several citations.

 

In pure athletic terms, we all know that tennis is far more demanding than batting, but i will also say, in tennis, footwork matters a lot more than in batting. Because in batting, lazy footwork doesnt change entire trajectory of shot, it basically means you either nail the shot or get out or miss the ball. But a cover drive doesnt become a pull shot due to lazy footwork.

Whereas in tennis, as the hitter has to chase the ball and not defend against the ball ( in cricket, ball always comes TO batter, so batter is always attacking/defending the ball), it means that lazy footwork is difference between down the line vs crosscourt backhand and it changes entire complexion of the game itself.

 

This is why Djokovic looks so 'weird' as a tennis player and all your senses tell you he shouldnt be even a good player, let alone an ATG/Goat - he has shitty footwork for a tennis player ( but comes with literal cartoon-quality mr fantastic elasticity so who cares about footwork when you can bend like an olympic gymnast) and this is why a lot of the exceptionally good tennis players in tennis fundamentals - like Graf or Federer - looked like they were floating on court and made crazy angle shots - those crazy angle shots are possible for these people is because they are the ballerina level footwork people in tennis history and they were able to get their FEET in position that simply others cant in time.

 

So i will say this - tennis isnt as footwork intensive like football, but it is one of those sports where pros/aspiring pros practice footwork drills all the time, such is the importance of footwork. You cannot pull a Viv Richards/Sehwag in their later years and turn into 'zero footwork but still good enough to be international quality' players in tennis. Coz if you go zero footwork, not even Ivo Karlovic's literal 7 foot tall giant serve of doom will save you in tennis.

 

[crictime]

16 hours ago, Vilander said:

Several factors contribute to this conclusion. Firstly, the unpredictability inherent in cricket batsmanship due to the bounce and movement of the ball after pitching, influenced by highly variable pitch conditions and bowler variations, poses a unique and significant hurdle. anticipate bowler variations, understand field placements, and select appropriate shots based on these factors and the ever-changing match situation creates a complex strategic environment for the batsman.

 

 

True, a bowler, specifically spinners as skilled as Murali or Warne or Kumble or Ashwin.

 

The trajectory  before pitching won't show whether they are bowlinh the doosra or the wrong one, or flipper or carrom ball or googly. As wrists and fingers have a pronounced use in the skill of spinning the cricket ball, the deviations after the ball pitches is very high in some cases after the ball pitches. For example, more than a foot of turn by Warne and Murali. The speed and bounce variation on a flipper, wrong one and googly by Warne and Kumble after it pitches. The carrom ball impact by Ashwin and Mujeeb is seen only after pitching.

 

In tennis the use of fingers and wrists only impact the grip and stength majorly, but subtle changes majorly impact how the ball reacts after pitching due to pronounced as well as subtle changes in use of fingers and writs by spinners and pacers. Eg. Doosra, wrong one, googly, flipper Reverse swing, knuckle balls etc.

Edited April 5 by crictime