Statistics are the most significant thing in any sport across the globe at the moment. Over the past decade or so, some of the biggest sporting clubs and national teams have turned their attention towards data to try and gain a competitive edge over their closest competitors.
In cricket, the statistics are nothing but numerical data, simulations, and calculations that all sum up to provide an analytical view of the game in various formats, including visual mediums. We see everything from bar graphs to pie charts, projections, predictions, and more. The most significant advantage of statistics in cricket is that it provides knowledge and insights to key decision-makers of the game.
In today’s cricket news headlines, seeing a statistical analysis before a major cricket game is no big deal. We, as viewers, have become accustomed to such displays. This includes pretty much everything on and off the pitch. It encompasses a detailed weather report, a pitch report, vital statistics of batsmen, bowlers, and fielders.
The data includes runs scored, wickets taken, the catches taken and dropped. However, this isn’t the 80s, and things don’t just stop here. The sub-categories include very specific data, such as runs scored by a particular batsman on a particular pitch against a specific bowler in a particular type of tournament. It is this kind of in-depth analysis that statistics in cricket can help in winning.
Some of the vital outcomes that statistics can have in the game of cricket are listed out below:
Environmental Conditions:
In cricket, the weather is a huge factor in deciding the outcome of the game. Sometimes, rain can spoilsport, and in a curtailed game, the outcome can highly be affected by the weather conditions. Similarly, if there is too much dew to help the batsmen in the second innings, or if there is a good deal of breeze to help the bowlers, the coach, the captain, and the strategists can be aware well in advance. They will ensure that they not only make the right decisions during the game but also hours before the game while preparing. They will also pick the playing 11 accordingly, and make an informed choice after winning the toss.
Playing 11:
The playing 11 is a vital cog in winning any game of cricket. But statistics play a massive role in this department as well. As seen during the IPL T20 matches, the playing 11 is chosen carefully after assessing the playing conditions, the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, and individual player statistics. This combination helps field the best possible side and gives every side a fair chance to win.
One important aspect of statistics while choosing the playing 11 is matchups. Often players have faced off against each other on multiple occasions in the past. In today’s cricket news headlines, teams are often seen picking fringe players of the team against a key player of the opposition if he boasts of a tremendous record in the past. An example of this is pitting Tim Southee against Virat Kohli, where the former has dismissed the latter ten times in international cricket, the most by any bowler.
Player Preparation:
Often players know how they are supposed to win games for their teams. However, against certain oppositions, they may be clueless. In such situations, players must prepare well against any potential X-factor that the opposition may possess.
Conversely, the same method can be used to help an out-of-form player gain confidence, and return to his prime, and perform at the level expected. The techniques involved in player preparation include watching videos of opposition players, analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, and even analyzing their games of the past using videos, graphs, simulations, and other tools.
Captaincy:
Statistics greatly influence a cricket game, but they are of no use if they are not implemented appropriately during a cricket match. The one man in each team who bears the onus of this implementation is the captain. Hence, statistics can be used to better captaincy. Information is often passed from the dugout to the captain, who then makes quick decisions to alter the game in his team’s favor. As seen often in international and IPL T20 cricket, this is well within the regulations of the game.
