New Batting Power Play Affects Target Totals
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 : Reference, England
Average batting totals may now be 5-10% higher with the new batting power play rule for a number of reasons:
- Batsmen are more likely to be well set when it is taken
- It will be taken later in the innings when scoring rates are higher
-
The bowling side may not be able to bowl 5 overs from their top 2 bowlers
What is the Batting Power Play?
Usually 50% of the target at the 30 over stage is a good rule of thumb. Not any more. The new batting power play has changed the balance of the game. With only 3 fielders outside the circle the chasing side can score in excess of twice the required rate. This effectively gives you 2-3 more overs to play with.
In the 2nd ODI England reached 150 in the 34 over and were back on target having scored a massive 59 runs during the 5 over power play. With 13 overs to go England required 110 with 2 men in and 7 wickets remaining. Yuvraj's 2 wickets in the subsequent over changed all that.
The consensus among the commentators was that this was a the 230 - 250 pitch. Subsequently the England bowlers have taken a lot of stick for conceding 290. In the first ODI much was made of England conceding their highest ever total, but little or no mention was made of the effect of this new rule change - the batting power play.
Average batting totals may or may not be 5-10% higher with the new batting power play, but the scoring rate graph will certainly change.
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