Extending the range of player-performance measures in one-day cricket

Abstract

The author's previous paper on this topic showed that the Duckworth/Lewis methodology has considerable potential for providing relevant and objective measures of performance in one-day cricket. The present paper evaluates how these measures can apply in the longer term. This assessment is based upon several series of matches involving the main players from most of the major cricketing nations. Although data used are not exhaustive, they are of sufficient quantity to provide strong indications of the long-term viability of the measures, thus leading to the realistic expectation of inclusion of the methodology into the existing player-rankings or the development of an independent set of performance indicators that reflect more validly the value of players' inputs to matches. Such measures are expected to be of valuable use to team management, media commentators and to the public.

Keywords:

• sports statistics
• cricket
• performance measurement

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge, with thanks, assistance received in preparing this paper:

• His colleague Frank Duckworth for valuable comments on the draft manuscripts

• Champion Data (Australia) and the Press Association (Sports) for the provision, in electronic form, of the ball-by-ball details of the matches absolutely essential for undertaking the analyses summarized in this paper.

• The two anonymous referees for very helpful comments to improve the paper's content and its presentation.