Year 2018, a round up
The year 2018 is now history. A year when two major players were banned, along with a team mate, for charges of cheating. A year when India consolidated its position at No.1 test team even after losing series in England and South Africa. A year when Australia slipped ranks down in all formats. A year when Sri Lanka fared rather poorly in tests. A year when Virat Kohli reconfirmed his top position in Tests and ODI as the premier batsman. A year when two new entrants felt the heat of Test Cricket.....
2018 - The Best Year for Result Oriented Tests
In total, 48 tests were played in the year 2018, and just 5 of them ended in draws, that is to say that 89.6% of the tests gave results. This is the highest in terms of the percentage of tests giving results when more than 8 tests were played in the year. The nearest that we have in this statistics, for years when more than 10 tests were played, was in 2002 when 46 out of 54 tests provided results (85.2% results). Curiously, the last few years have seen more result producing tests, a small snapshot given below.
2018- Tests - 48, Results - 43, Result% - 89.6%
2017- Tests - 47, Results - 40, Result% - 85.1%
2016- Tests - 47, Results - 40, Result% - 85.1%
2015- Tests - 43, Results - 34, Result% - 79.1%
2014- Tests - 41, Results - 33, Result% - 80.5%
2013- Tests - 44, Results - 33, Result% - 75.0%
2012- Tests - 42, Results - 32, Result% - 76.2%
2011- Tests - 39, Results - 27, Result% - 69.2%
2010- Tests - 43, Results - 32, Result% - 74.4%
2009- Tests - 41, Results - 26, Result% - 63.4%
One striking feature of this year's results is the number of tests that were won by defending a score in the last innings. As many as 65% of the tests were lost by teams batting last, the highest in the history of test cricket in a year where at least 10 tests were played. The percentage number of tests won by the team batting last is the lowest in the last 70 years.
Total Tests - 48
Tests with Results - 43
Result% - 89.6%
Tests that ended in Innings win - 9 (20.9% of 43 result producing tests)
Tests where 4th innings score was defended - 28 (65.1% of 43 result producing tests)
Tests where 4th innings target was achieved - 6 (14.0% of 43 result producing tests)
Also interesting to note are the average scores of team batting second, ie, the 2nd and 4th innings of a test match. The average runs scored per wicket in the second innings is around 5.5 runs lower than the first innings score, while the same for fourth innings is good 6 runs lower than that of the third innings. In effect, a good 11 runs/wicket difference between the teams batting first and second. The average second innings runs/wicket is the lowest in the 60 years, and holds true in the fourth innings also except for 1981.
Average Runs/Wicket
1st Innings - 31.86
2nd Innings - 26.39
3rd Innings - 28.05
4th Innings - 22.01
Victory Margins
The biggest margin of victory was by an innings and 272 runs, which was achieved by India against West Indies at Rajkot. This was also India's highest margin in terms of innings victory. West Indies lost two tests this year by innings, the other loss came against Bangladesh at Dhaka. That was the first time Bangladesh had won a test match by an innings. Afghanistan lost their solitary test match this year by an innings and 262 runs to India.
The biggest margin in terms of runs was inflicted by South Africa when they beat Australia by 492 runs at Johannesburg. This was the test that followed the infamous incident of ball tampering aided by Smith and Warner leading to both along with Bancroft being banned for a year. Tim Paine's first test was a cricketing disaster for him. The closest match was the one between Pakistan and New Zealand when New Zealand won by 4 runs.
India sealed a 10 wicket win over West Indies at Hyderabad following the innings win at Rajkot. Pakistan scored a 9 wicket win over England at Lord's.
And some draws
Two of the five drawn matches this year took the fight till the last ball of the match. Set a target of 382, New Zealand played out 124 overs to score 256 for the loss of 8 wickets against England and Christchurch. Ish Sodhi faced 168 balls scoring 56 unbeaten runs. At Dubai, Australia held on for 139 overs, scoring 362 (target 461) for the loss of 8 wickets, with the captain Tim Paine holding forte facing 194 balls, supporting the effort of Usman Khawaja (141 of 302) and Travis Head (72 of 175). Nathan Lyon faced 34 balls scoring 5 runs.
Team Performances
A total of 21 different series were played during this year, including two one-off tests involving Afghanistan and Ireland playing India and Pakistan respectively. Two series are ongoing ones, India-Australia and Pakistan-South Africa. These are the series that were played during 2018.
Australia v/s England in Australia - Australia won - 4-0 (the last match of the series was played in 2018)
India v/s South Africa in South Africa - South Africa won - 2-1
Bangladesh v/s Sri Lanka in Bangladesh - Sri Lanka won - 1-0
Australia v/s South Africa in South Africa - South Africa won - 3-1
England v/s New Zealand in New Zealand - New Zealand won - 1-0
Ireland v/s Pakistan in Ireland - Pakistan won - 1-0
England v/s Pakistan in England - Series Drawn - 1-1
Sri Lanka v/s West Indies in West Indies - Series Drawn - 1-1
Afghanistan v/s India in India - India won - 1-0
Bangladesh v/s West Indies in West Indies - West Indies won - 2-0
Sri Lanka v/s South Africa in Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka won - 2-0
England v/s India in England - England won - 4-1
India v/s West Indies in India - India won - 2-0
Pakistan v/s Australia in UAE - Pakistan won - 1-0
Zimbabwe v/s Bangladesh in Bangladesh - Series Drawn - 1-1
England v/s Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka - England won - 3-0
New Zealand v/s Pakistan in UAE - New Zealand won - 2-1
Bangladesh v/s West Indies in Bangladesh - Bangladesh won - 2-0
India v/s Australia in Australia - India leads - 2-1
Sri Lanka v/s New Zealand in New Zealand - New Zealand won - 1-0
Pakistan v/s South Africa in South Africa - South Africa leads - 1-0
Team Performances.
Note: SENAI Countries are countries that have a strong team and/or tough conditions for visitors. This is the short form of South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia, India. While compiling the statistics, I have considered region as Home if the SENAI countries are hosting (eg. Australia hosting would mean that the country is not SENAI for Australia, it will be Home)
Afghanistan
Afghanistan made their debut in Test Cricket, playing its first test against India. However, their entry wasn't very easy, as they were thrashed by India by an Innings.
Tests-1, Won-0, Lost-1, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Ireland
Like Afghanistan, Ireland too made their entry by gaining test status. They played a home game against Pakistan. On conceding a first innings lead of 180 runs, Ireland followed on (since the first day was washed out, the follow-on criteria was 150 runs), and made a great fight scoring 339 runs, an innings held by Kevin O'Brien. Eventually, they lost the match by 5 wickets.
Tests-1, Won-0, Lost-1, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Australia
Australia made a good start to 2018, winning the final test in the Ashes series. They started well in South Africa, winning the first test, but after losing the second test, the third was marred by the ball tampering controversy. They finally ended up losing the series 1-3. They also lost the 2 test series in the UAE to Pakistan 0-1 and are currently trailing India 1-2 in the four test series.
Tests-10, Won-3, Lost-6, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(30.0%), Win v/s Loss%(33.3%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-4, Won-1, Lost-3, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(25.0%), Win v/s Loss%(25.0%)
Home - Tests-4, Won-2, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(50.0%), Win v/s Loss%(50.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-1, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh played 4 series this year, winning one and losing two. In the home series to Sri Lanka, though they drew the first test on the back of heavy first innings score, they lost the second by 215 runs and the series 0-1. They lost both the tests in the West Indies, drew the series against Zimbabwe 1-1 and then beat West Indies in a home series 2-0.
Tests-8, Won-3, Lost-4, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(37.5%), Win v/s Loss%(42.9%)
Home - Tests-6, Won-3, Lost-2, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(50.0%), Win v/s Loss%(60.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
England
England started the year losing the final test of the Ashes series to Australia. Pakistan held them to a 1-1 drawn home series, then they beat India 4-1. England had a successful Sri Lanka tour where they thrashed the home team 3-0.
Tests-13, Won-8, Lost-4, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(61.5%), Win v/s Loss%(66.7%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-3, Won-0, Lost-2, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Home - Tests-7, Won-5, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(71.4%), Win v/s Loss%(71.4%)
Other Countries - Tests-3, Won-3, Lost-0, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(100.0%), Win v/s Loss%(100.0%)
India
Most of India's test matches this year was in away tours. In between a tight schedule of tours to South Africa, England and Australia, they played a one-off test against Afghanistan (won), and two test series against West Indies (won 2-0). They lost the series in South Africa (1-2) and England (1-4). They currently lead the 4 test series in Australia 2-1. Interestingly, there was not a single drawn match featuring India in 2018.
Tests-14, Won-7, Lost-7, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(50.0%), Win v/s Loss%(50.0%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-11, Won-4, Lost-7, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(36.4%), Win v/s Loss%(36.4%)
Home - Tests-3, Won-3, Lost-0, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(100.0%), Win v/s Loss%(100.0%)
New Zealand
New Zealand was involved in a thrilling 4 run victory over Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, and a fighting draw against England at Christchurch. They won all the series they played this year, against England and Sri Lanka at home and against Pakistan and UAE.
Tests-7, Won-4, Lost-1, Drawn-2, Win-to-Tests%(57.1%), Win v/s Loss%(80.0%)
Home - Tests-4, Won-2, Lost-0, Drawn-2, Win-to-Tests%(50.0%), Win v/s Loss%(100.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-3, Won-2, Lost-1, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(66.7%), Win v/s Loss%(66.7%)
Pakistan
Pakistan started off with the debut test for Ireland, which they won. They drew the series in England 1-1 and beat Australia 1-0 in UAE. But they lost to New Zealand 1-2 at UAE and is currently trailing 0-1 against South Africa in South Africa.
Tests-9, Won-4, Lost-4, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(44.4%), Win v/s Loss%(50.0%)
Home (UAE) - Tests-5, Won-2, Lost-2, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(40.0%), Win v/s Loss%(66.6%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-3, Won-1, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(33.3%), Win v/s Loss%(33.3%)
South Africa
South Africa beat India 2-1 and Australia 3-1, but weren't too good in Sri Lanka, which they lost 0-2, to the spinners in particular, Parera, Herath and Dananjaya. Currently they lead Pakistan 1-0 in their home series.
Tests-10, Won-6, Lost-4, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(60.0%), Win v/s Loss%(60.0%)
Home - Tests-8, Won-6, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(75.0%), Win v/s Loss%(75.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka didn't have a good year, in my view. They did win the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa, but drew 1-1 to a not-so-mighty West Indies. Then they were blanked by England at home and are currently trailing New Zealand 0-1 in New Zealand.
Tests-12, Won-4, Lost-5, Drawn-3, Win-to-Tests%(33.3%), Win v/s Loss%(44.4%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-1, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Home - Tests-5, Won-2, Lost-3, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(40.0%), Win v/s Loss%(40.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-5, Won-2, Lost-1, Drawn-2, Win-to-Tests%(40.0%), Win v/s Loss%(66.7%)
West Indies
Though their good-old-days are just a memory, there were a few sparks between the mess in the West Indies. Jason Holder proved to be a good all rounder, Shannon Gabriel had some impressive bursts, Dowrich and Hope, though not consistent, occasionally impress.... but those continue to be rare sights.
West Indies drew the series against Sri Lanka and won against Bangladesh, both at home. The tour to India was a disaster, and later lost to Bangladesh 0-2.
Tests-9, Won-3, Lost-5, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(33.3%), Win v/s Loss%(37.5%)
SENAI Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Home - Tests-5, Won-3, Lost-1, Drawn-1, Win-to-Tests%(60.0%), Win v/s Loss%(75.0%)
Other Countries - Tests-2, Won-0, Lost-2, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(0.0%), Win v/s Loss%(0.0%)
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe played just two tests this year, in Bangladesh. They won the first test, but lost the second to draw the series 1-1. The win in the first test was their first away win after 17 years.
Tests-2, Won-1, Lost-1, Drawn-0, Win-to-Tests%(50.0%), Win v/s Loss%(50.0%)
Top Players.
Two batsmen scored more than 1000 runs this year, Virat Kohli and Kusal Mendis. Two bowlers took 50 or more wickets this year, Kagiso Rabada and Dilruwan Perera.
Most Runs
V Kohli- Tests-13, Runs-1322, Average-50.85, Hundreds-5, Fifties-5, Highest Score-153
BKG Mendis- Tests-12, Runs-1110, Average-48.26, Hundreds-3, Fifties-5, Highest Score-196
JE Root- Tests-13, Runs-948, Average-37.92, Hundreds-2, Fifties-6, Highest Score-125
CA Pujara- Tests-13, Runs-837, Average-33.48, Hundreds-3, Fifties-4, Highest Score-132
FDM Karunaratne- Tests-9, Runs-743, Average-43.71, Hundreds-1, Fifties-7, Highest Score-158
Most Wkts
K Rabada- Tests-10, Wkts-52, Average-20.08, SR-38.21, 5WI-2, 10WM-1, BBI-6-54, BBM-11-150
MDK Perera- Tests-11, Wkts-50, Average-29.32, SR-56.4, 5WI-3, 10WM-1, BBI-6-32, BBM-10-78
NM Lyon- Tests-10, Wkts-49, Average-34.02, SR-75.37, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-122, BBM-8-106
JJ Bumrah- Tests-9, Wkts-48, Average-21.02, SR-47.46, 5WI-3, 10WM-0, BBI-6-33, BBM-9-86
Mohammed Shami- Tests-12, Wkts-47, Average-26.98, SR-49, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-56, BBM-6-74
Best Batting Average (Min 3 Tests)
AB de Villiers- Tests-7, Runs-638, Average-53.17, Hundreds-1, Fifties-6, Highest Score-126
Babar Azam- Tests-8, Runs-616, Average-51.33, Hundreds-1, Fifties-6, Highest Score-127
V Kohli- Tests-13, Runs-1322, Average-50.85, Hundreds-5, Fifties-5, Highest Score-153
TWM Latham- Tests-7, Runs-658, Average-50.62, Hundreds-2, Fifties-2, Highest Score-264
BJ Watling- Tests-7, Runs-552, Average-50.18, Hundreds-1, Fifties-4, Highest Score-126
Best Bowling Average (Min 3 Tests)
JO Holder- Tests-6, Wkts-33, Average-12.39, SR-27.3, 5WI-4, 10WM-1, BBI-6-59, BBM-11-103
Mohammad Abbas- Tests-7, Wkts-38, Average-13.76, SR-36.34, 5WI-3, 10WM-1, BBI-5-33, BBM-10-95
VD Philander- Tests-8, Wkts-32, Average-17.03, SR-44.31, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-21, BBM-9-51
TG Southee- Tests-5, Wkts-29, Average-19.03, SR-43.86, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-62, BBM-8-120
Mohammad Amir- Tests-4, Wkts-16, Average-19.19, SR-47.44, 5WI-0, 10WM-0, BBI-4-36, BBM-5-72
Best Bowling Strike Rate (Min 3 Tests)
JO Holder- Tests-6, Wkts-33, Average-12.39, SR-27.3, 5WI-4, 10WM-1, BBI-6-59, BBM-11-103
ST Gabriel- Tests-8, Wkts-37, Average-19.54, SR-30.7, 5WI-3, 10WM-1, BBI-8-62, BBM-13-121
Mohammad Abbas- Tests-7, Wkts-38, Average-13.76, SR-36.34, 5WI-3, 10WM-1, BBI-5-33, BBM-10-95
A Dananjaya- Tests-5, Wkts-27, Average-24.26, SR-37.52, 5WI-3, 10WM-0, BBI-6-115, BBM-8-44
UT Yadav- Tests-5, Wkts-20, Average-21.4, SR-38.05, 5WI-1, 10WM-1, BBI-6-88, BBM-10-133
It also makes sense to see who performed better in the SENAI countries, but since India played most of their tests this year in SENA countries, it's not surprising that most of the names are Indians.
Most Runs
V Kohli- Tests-11, Runs-1138, Average-51.73, Hundreds-4, Fifties-5, Highest Score-153
CA Pujara- Tests-10, Runs-706, Average-37.16, Hundreds-3, Fifties-3, Highest Score-132
AM Rahane- Tests-9, Runs-513, Average-28.5, Hundreds-0, Fifties-4, Highest Score-81
KL Rahul- Tests-9, Runs-377, Average-20.94, Hundreds-1, Fifties-0, Highest Score-149
RR Pant- Tests-6, Runs-353, Average-29.42, Hundreds-1, Fifties-0, Highest Score-114
Most Wkts
JJ Bumrah- Tests-9, Wkts-48, Average-21.02, SR-47.46, 5WI-3, 10WM-0, BBI-6-33, BBM-9-86
Mohammed Shami- Tests-11, Wkts-45, Average-27.44, SR-49.58, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-56, BBM-6-74
I Sharma- Tests-10, Wkts-37, Average-22.95, SR-52.38, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-51, BBM-6-97
R Ashwin- Tests-7, Wkts-24, Average-30.17, SR-75.75, 5WI-0, 10WM-0, BBI-4-62, BBM-7-121
PJ Cummins- Tests-4, Wkts-22, Average-21.45, SR-42.45, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-83, BBM-9-141
Best Batting Average (Min 3 Tests)
JE Root- Tests-3, Runs-283, Average-56.6, Hundreds-0, Fifties-4, Highest Score-83
V Kohli- Tests-11, Runs-1138, Average-51.73, Hundreds-4, Fifties-5, Highest Score-153
TD Paine- Tests-4, Runs-215, Average-43, Hundreds-0, Fifties-1, Highest Score-62
CT Bancroft- Tests-3, Runs-223, Average-37.17, Hundreds-0, Fifties-2, Highest Score-77
CA Pujara- Tests-10, Runs-706, Average-37.16, Hundreds-3, Fifties-3, Highest Score-132
Best Bowling Average (Min 3 Tests)
JJ Bumrah- Tests-9, Wkts-48, Average-21.02, SR-47.46, 5WI-3, 10WM-0, BBI-6-33, BBM-9-86
Mohammad Amir- Tests-3, Wkts-11, Average-21.36, SR-47.55, 5WI-0, 10WM-0, BBI-4-36, BBM-5-77
PJ Cummins- Tests-4, Wkts-22, Average-21.45, SR-42.45, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-83, BBM-9-141
I Sharma- Tests-10, Wkts-37, Average-22.95, SR-52.38, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-51, BBM-6-97
GH Vihari- Tests-3, Wkts-5, Average-26, SR-53.4, 5WI-0, 10WM-0, BBI-3-37, BBM-3-38
Best Bowling Strike Rate (Min 3 Tests)
PJ Cummins- Tests-4, Wkts-22, Average-21.45, SR-42.45, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-83, BBM-9-141
JJ Bumrah- Tests-9, Wkts-48, Average-21.02, SR-47.46, 5WI-3, 10WM-0, BBI-6-33, BBM-9-86
Mohammad Amir- Tests-3, Wkts-11, Average-21.36, SR-47.55, 5WI-0, 10WM-0, BBI-4-36, BBM-5-77
Mohammed Shami- Tests-11, Wkts-45, Average-27.44, SR-49.58, 5WI-2, 10WM-0, BBI-6-56, BBM-6-74
I Sharma- Tests-10, Wkts-37, Average-22.95, SR-52.38, 5WI-1, 10WM-0, BBI-5-51, BBM-6-97
Best Individual Performances of the year.
Highest Scores
264* - TWM Latham(New Zealand) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Wellington
219* - Mushfiqur Rahim(Bangladesh) - Opponent-Zimbabwe, Venue-Dhaka
196 - BKG Mendis(Sri Lanka) - Opponent-Bangladesh, Venue-Chittagong
176 - Mominul Haque(Bangladesh) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Chittagong
176 - TWM Latham(New Zealand) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Christchurch
Best Bowling in an Innings
9-129 - KA Maharaj(South Africa) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Colombo (SSC)
8-41 - Yasir Shah(Pakistan) - Opponent-New Zealand, Venue-Dubai (DSC)
8-62 - ST Gabriel(West Indies) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Gros Islet
7-58 - Mehidy Hasan Miraz(Bangladesh) - Opponent-West Indies, Venue-Dhaka
6-21 - VD Philander(South Africa) - Opponent-Australia, Venue-Johannesburg
Best Bowling in a Match
14-184 - Yasir Shah(Pakistan) - Opponent-New Zealand, Venue-Dubai (DSC)
13-121 - ST Gabriel(West Indies) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Gros Islet
12-117 - Mehidy Hasan Miraz(Bangladesh) - Opponent-West Indies, Venue-Dhaka
12-283 - KA Maharaj(South Africa) - Opponent-Sri Lanka, Venue-Colombo (SSC)
11-96 - D Olivier(South Africa) - Opponent-Pakistan, Venue-Centurion
Stats XI of the year.
My logic in selecting a Stats-based XI is simple, the initial cut is on who scored more or who took more wickets. We also need specialists to do the job, so my team then follows the structure below.
Two Opening batsmen (not makeshift openers, but players who have played at positions 1-2 in at least 3 tests)
3 Middle Order batsmen (no hard rules on the batting position here)
One batting all rounder (players who have scored at least 300 runs and have taken 10 or more wickets)
Wicket Keeper (not just catches and stumpings, a bit of batting will certainly be a bonus)
One bowling all rounder (players who have taken more than 25 wickets and have scored at least 200 runs)
3 bowlers (no specifications on spin-pace)
Once we have this set, I look for some consistency. I don't want a player who scored a daddy hundred and a string of low scores or a 5+ wicket haul and many innings with 1 or 2 wickets to get into my team. So, I give weightages. The first step to this is to break their performance in terms of instances where they have scored runs in a particular block or took wickets in a particular block. I give them some arbitrary weightage (not very scientific, mind you), to get a sum product of scores. Then I multiply this sum product with the relevant statistic, runs for batsmen, wickets for bowlers, catches and runs for wicket keeper and runs and wickets for all rounders.
As an example, Kohli has 5 scores under 10 (weightage 0), 4 between 10-30 (weightage 0.5), 8 between 30-60 (weightage 1), 0 between 60-80 (weightage 2.5), 2 between 80-100 (weightage 3.5) and 5 above 100 (weightage 4). That will give the percentage of score within each range (eg. 33.3% between 30-60). These percentages are multiplied by the corresponding weightage to get a weightage factor (1.54 for Kohli). This is then multiplied by the runs scored by Kohli (1322) to get the weighted score (2038.1). Various such scores of other batsmen are calculated using the same logic and then ranked to see who makes the cut. - Sorry for such cryptic calculation, but it's fun, really.
So, now to my team (given in the order of rank).
Openers
Karunaratne had scored loads of runs through the year, and 7 fifties show some consistency. Hence he is the first choice Opener. Tom Latham scored two big hundreds towards the end of the year to push his case. Others in contention were the South Africa pair, Markram and Dean Elgar. Markram had scored more runs than Latham, but had more innings to play, plus had too many low scores, so the percentage of innings in the low scores area caused Markram to lose out.
TWM Latham (New Zealand)- Runs-658, Average-50.62, Hundreds-2, Fifties-2
Middle Order
No questions on the first two spots, really. Kohli and Mendis had scored far more runs than others, so there was no real challenge. Again, a New Zealander comes in the third spot because he had scored runs in fewer innings and was more consistent throughout. One third of his scores were more than 30, compared to 54% for Root and 39% for Pujara. In the weighted scoring, Butler scored better than Pujara, though Pujara had more runs to show.
BKG Mendis (Sri Lanka)- Runs-1110, Average-48.26, Hundreds-3, Fifties-5
KS Williamson (New Zealand)- Runs-651, Average-50.08, Hundreds-2, Fifties-3
Allrounders
Ben Stokes was way ahead as the batting all rounder, scoring 263 runs and taking 22 wickets. Jason Holder with 336 runs and 33 wickets (bowling average of 12.39) was in the second spot. As for bowling all rounder, Cummins grabbed the spot thanks to the robust innings played towards the end of the year, but the Sri Lankan spinner Dilruwan Parera (50 wickets and 278 runs), gave some fight. Ashwin too was not far behind, but the fact that he had gone wicketless in more innings caused him problems.
Bowling - PJ Cummins (Australia)- Runs-251, Average-16.73, Wickets-44, Bowling Avg-19.98
Wicket Keeper
The three names considered were Quinton de Kock, Tim Paine and Rishabh Pant. Pant took more catches per match, largely in the series in Australia, and had more runs than the other two, thus giving him the spot.
Bowlers
As for bowlers, the 5 wickets hauls, consistency in taking wickets (lesser innings going wicketless) and the number of wickets helped Taijul Islam, Rabada and Bumrah to grab the spots. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nathan Lyon also come close. Interestingly, both Cummins and Dilruwan Parera feature in the list of bowlers also, for the number of wickets they took during the year.
K Rabada (South Africa)- Wickets-52, Bowling Avg-20.08, 5WI-2, 10WM-1
JJ Bumrah (India)- Wickets-48, Bowling Avg-21.02, 5WI-3, 10WM-0
Unfortunately, no spin bowler feature in this, but I'm helpless.
Following players were left out because the slots were filled!! They may come in if any of the current team member is injured or has any ball tampering problem.
Openers
AK Markram (South Africa)- Runs-722, Average-36.1, Hundreds-2, Fifties-3
Middle Order
JE Root (England)- Runs-948, Average-37.92, Hundreds-2, Fifties-6
JC Buttler (England)- Runs-726, Average-38.21, Hundreds-1, Fifties-6
Allrounders
JO Holder (West Indies)- Runs-336, Average-33.6, Wickets-33, Bowling Avg-12.39
MDK Perera (Sri Lanka)- Runs-278, Average-17.38, Wickets-50, Bowling Avg-29.32
Wicket Keeper
BJ Watling (New Zealand)- Runs-552, Average-50.18, Hundreds-1, Dismissals-30
Bowlers
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)- Wickets-41, Bowling Avg-22.12, 5WI-4, 10WM-1
NM Lyon (Australia)- Wickets-49, Bowling Avg-34.02, 5WI-2, 10WM-0
Finally......
Rengana Herath
Morne Morkel
Alister Cook
AB de Villers
Some big players retired in 2018. Thanks, gentlemen, for all the joy you gave us.
Good one. Many interesting stats 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks, buddy
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