ODIs during 2011: an alternate look

This follows the review of the 2011 Tests. This will mostly be on Teams and important measures during the year, the 5-years before 2011 and the 40 years before. I will not do any individual innings listings since people immediately come out with objections and we lose the thread. All of us get side-tracked.

First a single paragraph each on the batting, bowling and team performances of 2011.

The historic innings of the year was Virender Sehwag's 219. After all, a world record score was overtaken. If Sehwag had played on till the end of innings, maybe 250 would have been crossed. The most powerful batting display was by Shane Watson during his 185 (in 96 balls) against Bangladesh. 150 runs in boundaries tells the story. If Bangladesh had scored another 30 runs he would have been the batsman to overtake Sachin Tendulkar. The most significant innings of the year was Gautam Gambhir's 97. Without that there was no win for India. MS Dhoni played an equally important innings but Gambhir's was more significant. 31 for 2 was a potentially losing situation while 114 for 3 was at least on an even keel. The poignant innings of the year were the two centuries by two great batsmen in their last World Cup matches. That they both lost the battle to India's fighting skills adds to the poignancy. I refer to Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardene.

This was not a great year for bowling performances. Probably the most significant was Wahab Riaz's five wicket haul in the WC semi-final. Four of these were those of top order batsmen. He did his task admirably but his batsmen let him down. An equally good performance was that of Woakes who captured 6 wickets against Australia. The only Indian bowler to capture 5 wickets was Yuvraj Singh, remembering to say our prayers for his speedy recovery and to wear the blue jersey again, against Ireland: an important effort in a tight match. However the bowler of the year was Shahid Afridi who had four 5-wicket hauls, followed by Lasith Malinga, with three.

In my anxiety to do as little of individual performances as possible, I missed, inarguably, the individual performance of the year. It required Boll, an Australian, to point out this lapse. My apologies to Yuvraj and all his supporters. I had referred to him only in passing re the 5-wkt haul against Ireland. Yuvraj's 350+ runs and 15 wickets during the World Cup was the most outstabding individual performance of the year and couple of years before and possibly after. Thanks, Boll.

The above are partly subjective and the readers are welcome to come out with their significant performances.

India were the deserving WC winners. They were the most resilient and balanced of all teams. In all three knock-out matches there were many moments when they looked like slipping but the hour cometh and the men cometh. Almost all the players contributed. That week in spring, India was the team and held their nerve to win a deserved WC. The rest of the year was not so great but the WC win was very well-earned. India had done this on-the-brink performances three times during 2011, chronicled elsewhere. As readers are aware of, I am the last person to blindly support India, but deserved credit must be given whole-heartedly where it is due, for the very significant performances during those six weeks in 2011.

As single matches go, the Sri Lankan demolition of England by 10 wickets in the WC quarter-final and Australia's blitz, led by Watson, at 8-plus runs per over against Bangladesh were the most devastating of the year. As far as the match of the year is concerned there were a few 300s chased comfortably, 200s chased with difficulty, sub-200 totals defended and so on. However the match of the year has to be Ireland's brave and successful chase of England's 300-plus total. Thinking of this match, looks like the collective brains of the IPL franchisees were left behind outside the hotel. How else can anyone explain no one picking up Kevin O'Brien for 50000 dollars?

1. A look at performance of teams during 2011 (with and without weight for WC)

Team	ODIs	Won	NR	Lost	MaxPts	Team Pts	Performance %	WCPts	Perf % (incl WC)
Pakistan	32	24	1	7	64	52.0	81.3%	2	84.4%
India	34	21	3	10	68	43.2	63.5%	10	78.2%
Australia	25	18	1	6	50	37.4	74.8%	1	76.8%
South Africa	15	9	0	6	30	17.6	58.7%	1	62.0%
New Zealand	17	9	1	7	34	19.0	55.9%	2	61.8%
Sri Lanka	28	14	2	12	56	28.8	51.4%	5	60.4%
England	30	11	3	16	60	24.2	40.3%	1	42.0%
West Indies	28	10	1	17	56	21.0	37.5%	1	39.3%
Zimbabwe	17	6	0	11	34	11.2	32.9%	0	32.9%
Ireland	12	4	0	8	24	7.6	31.7%	0	31.7%
Scotland	4	3	0	1	20	5.8	29.0%	0	29.0%
Bangladesh	20	6	0	14	40	11.6	29.0%	0	29.0%
Afghanistan	2	2	0	0	20	4.4	22.0%	0	22.0%
Netherlands	10	2	0	8	20	3.6	18.0%	0	18.0%
Canada	10	1	0	9	20	2.0	10.0%	0	10.0%
Kenya	8	0	0	8	20	0.0	0.0%	0	0.0%

This is the traditional 2-1-0 method of evaluating team performance. I have done this to provide a complete analysis. There is no weight for WC matches in the first analysis segment. I have used the 2-1-0 values for the neutral matches and weighed the home matches down by 10% and the away matches upwards by 10%. The relative strengths of the teams is not taken into account since the complexity is not worth it. If I were to do a complete Team Ratings work then the team strengths will come into the equation.

Pakistan were the best team by a mile, with a performance measure of 81.3%. They had a great year despite playing ALL their matches away from home. They compiled an excellent record of 75% wins. Australia were nearly as good, winning 18 of their 25 matches. Their performance measure was a very creditable 74.8%. India were just about average, clocking in at 63.5%. A quixotic scheduling meant that India played their last 20 matches against West Indies and England compiling a not-so-great 12-2-6 record. South Africa was below average with 58.7%. New Zealand and Sri Lanka got a 50-plus value. England and West Indies were below-par, clocking at below 50%.

The additional evaluation is the more relevant table in that the World Cup results are incorporated. After all the World Cup is a quadrennial event and is the most important event in cricketing calendar. World Cup wins have to be recognized. I have used a simple methodology. I have added 10/5/2/1 points respectively to the winner/runner-up/losing semi-finalists/losing quarter-finalists. This seems very fair and recognizes the importance of World Cup performances. May be subjective, but no one should have any complaints. Anyhow if a reader wants, he can put in his own weight for the World Cup and re-do the tables. India's win, and the 10 points they secured, pushed them into the second place, ahead of Australia. Pakistan's overall performance was so good that they managed to retain their top place. On balance, I would place Pakistan and India as the teams of the year. Pakistan had a great year and India won the World Cup. How I wish these two teams revive their wonderful rivalry: if required, on the desert grounds, hopefully with an aura of brotherhood than acrimony (Sriram's words).

Now for a series of tables analysing key figures for the teams. This would give us a good insight into why certain teams performed very well. Remember that Pakistan, India and Australia are the top three teams. Sri Lanka, despite their WC Final, had a very indifferent year. First a composite table looking at RpO (Runs per Over), RpW (Runs per Wicket) and BpW (Balls per Wicket) values.

2. Comparisons of own and other teams' RpO, RpW and BpW

Team	RpO			RpW			BpW
	For	Vs	Diff	For	Vs	Diff	For	Vs	Diff
Australia	5.47	4.91	0.56	37.7	28.1	9.6	34.3	41.4	7.0
New Zealand	5.46	4.99	0.47	38.1	27.1	11.0	32.6	41.8	9.3
Pakistan	4.87	4.50	0.37	31.6	24.2	7.3	32.3	38.9	6.6
India	5.51	5.17	0.34	35.9	29.6	6.3	34.3	39.0	4.7
Sri Lanka	5.04	4.83	0.21	31.4	27.3	4.2	33.8	37.4	3.6
Ireland	5.32	5.11	0.21	28.0	31.3	-3.3	36.7	31.5	-5.2
England	5.41	5.52	-0.11	30.3	36.0	-5.7	39.1	33.6	-5.5
West Indies	4.84	4.98	-0.14	28.7	30.9	-2.2	37.2	35.5	-1.7
Zimbabwe	4.78	5.02	-0.24	28.5	38.7	-10.2	46.2	35.8	-10.4
Bangladesh	4.39	5.06	-0.66	24.3	31.9	-7.6	37.8	33.1	-4.7
Netherlands	4.46	5.29	-0.83	22.3	42.2	-19.9	47.9	30.0	-17.9
Canada	4.27	5.76	-1.50	19.4	33.2	-13.8	34.5	27.3	-7.2
Below 10 ODIs
Afghanistan	6.08	5.60	0.48	20.2	19.1	1.1	20.5	19.9	-0.6
Scotland	4.94	5.15	-0.21	31.1	30.1	1.0	35.1	37.9	2.7
Kenya	3.93	5.66	-1.73	18.4	44.9	-26.5	47.6	28.1	-19.5

First the RpO values. I have considered this as more important than the RpW and BpW figures since this is what ultimately leads to an ODI win. The table is ordered on the RpO differential. Australia leads the table with a healthy RpO differential of 0.56. This has led to their excellent 75% performance. New Zealand were next with 0.47. Their overall numbers are quite good and it is surprising that they do not have better results. Pakistan has a slightly lower RpO differential of 0.37. However it must be noted that this figure is on somewhat lower RpO values, they having played many matches with lower average scores. Their differential is 7.6% as against New Zealand's 8.6%. India has a RpO differential of 0.34. Sri Lanka and Ireland have the same RpO differential of 0.21, indicating the great year Ireland had. As expected England and West Indies have negative RpO differentials.

The other comparison I have made is between own RpW and RpW. The RpW differentials show similar weights as the RpO differentials. New Zealand leads with a differential of 11.6 and Australia and Pakistan follow with 9.6 and 7.3 respectively. This is repeated in the BpW figures. New Zealand again leads with 9.3 and Australia and Pakistan follow with 7.0 and 6.6.

3. Analysis of boundaries hit

Team	ODIs	Team Runs	4s hit	4s/match	6s hit	6s/match	4s6s %
Ireland	12	2741	253	21.1	49	4.1	47.60%
Zimbabwe	17	3792	350	20.6	53	3.1	45.30%
West Indies	28	6017	441	15.8	147	5.2	44.00%
New Zealand	17	3691	298	17.5	72	4.2	44.00%
Canada	10	1805	155	15.5	28	2.8	43.70%
Australia	25	5774	484	19.4	91	3.6	43.00%
India	34	8462	737	21.7	113	3.3	42.90%
Netherlands	10	1987	157	15.7	32	3.2	41.30%
Pakistan	32	6533	552	17.2	75	2.3	40.70%
Sri Lanka	28	6096	538	19.2	52	1.9	40.40%
England	30	6977	567	18.9	69	2.3	38.40%
Bangladesh	20	3760	306	15.3	29	1.4	37.20%
South Africa	15	3634	280	18.7	37	2.5	36.90%
Below 10 ODIs
Afghanistan	2	363	29	14.5	13	6.5	53.40%
Scotland	4	841	60	15	14	3.5	38.50%
Kenya	8	1324	103	12.9	15	1.9	37.90%

This is an analysis of the boundaries hit by teams during 2011. At the end I have compared all these key measures for the year 2011, the previous decade and the 40-year period. Those values can be compare to these. This table is ordered by boundaries as % of team runs.

We are again in for a surprise. Ireland leads the table having hit 47.6% of their team runs in boundaries. The second is another surprise. Zimbabwe clocks with 45.3%. The surprises continue with West Indies and New Zealand at 44.0% and Canada with 43.7%. Then come the big guns. Australia has cored 43.7% and India and Pakistan have both got above 40%. What is South Africa doing at the lower reaches of the table at 36.9%.

There are two other minor measures. The fours per match and sixes per match. India leads the fours measure with 21.7 and Ireland closely follows with 21.1 and Zimbabwe with 20.6. These are the only teams clocking above 20. West Indies lead the sixes column with 5.7 per match. They, led by Gayle, Pollard and Russell crossed the ropes a huge 147 times. New Zealand and Ireland follow next with 4.2 and 4.1. Sri Lanka's lack of heavy hitters is shown by the relatively low 1.9 per match.

4. Analysis of Extras conceded and Maidens bowled

Team	ODIs	VsRuns	Extras	Extras/300balls	Overs	Maidens	Maidens %
India	34	7953	225	8.5	1537.4	67	4.36%
Canada	10	2522	73	8.7	437.3	16	3.66%
Netherlands	10	2450	73	8.9	463.2	20	4.32%
Bangladesh	20	4237	130	9.2	838.0	46	5.49%
Ireland	12	2846	90	9.5	557.1	19	3.41%
Zimbabwe	17	3828	134	10.5	762.0	33	4.33%
New Zealand	17	3601	127	10.6	721.5	32	4.43%
South Africa	15	2825	104	11.0	619.0	31	5.01%
West Indies	28	5713	212	11.1	1148.2	44	3.83%
England	30	7522	279	11.1	1361.4	54	3.97%
Sri Lanka	28	5532	217	11.8	1145.1	58	5.06%
Australia	25	5599	256	13.7	1139.1	36	3.16%
Pakistan	32	6031	313	15.6	1340.1	88	6.57%
Below 10 ODIs
Afghanistan	2	363	11	9.1	64.5	2	3.08%
Scotland	4	1024	23	6.7	199.0	8	4.02%
Kenya	8	1751	118	20.2	309.1	16	5.18%

This is an analysis of the teams' performances on field. Two measures have been analyzed. The first is a look at the extras conceded by the team. To be consistent with the overall summary analysis, I have determined the number of Extras conceded by the team per 300 balls, the expected innings size. India has shown that they are the most disciplined bowling attack and wicket-keeping competency with a low Extras per 300 balls of 8.5. Then come a series of lower-tiered teams with Extras per 300 balls values of 10 or less. The lower half of the teams has the more fancied teams. The last two places are occupied by Australia and Pakistan, with 13.7 and 15.6 extras per 300 balls. Pakistan's lack of discipline might very well be intentional. Readers would remember the instructions Imran gave to Wasim Akram in 1992. Go for the wickets: don't bother about the extras.

On the right hand side of the table I have the maidens bowled and what % these comprise out of the overs bowled by the team. Pakistan is the leader with 6.57% of their overs as maidens: worked out an average of more than 3 maidens per match. Bangladesh, with their accurate spinners, come in next with 5.5%. Sri Lanka, with a similar bowling combination, is next with around 5.1%. South Africa has a maidens % above 5. Amongst the top teams, Australia has the lowest maidens % of 3.16%. Maybe their attacking field placements or the pace-dominant attacks.

5. An analysis of wins achieved by Teams during 2011

Team	Wins in 2011	VeryClose	Close wins	Easy wins	Huge wins		Batting first	Chasing
Pakistan	24	2	5	14	1		11	13
India	21	3	2	14	2		8	13
Australia	18	1	2	14	0		8	10
Sri Lanka	14	0	1	7	4		8	6
England	11	1	5	3	1		6	5
West Indies	10	1	1	4	2		5	5
South Africa	9	0	1	4	4		7	2
New Zealand	9	0	1	3	1		4	5
Zimbabwe	6	2	1	1	2		3	3
Bangladesh	6	2	0	4	0		2	4
Ireland	4	0	1	2	1		2	2
Netherlands	2	1	1	0	0		0	2
Canada	1	0	0	1	0		0	1
Below 10 ODIs
Kenya	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Scotland	2	0	1	2	0		1	2
Afghanistan	2	1	1	0	0		1	1

This table analyses the wins achieved by the teams. The table is ordered by the number of wins. First the split between wins batting first and chasing. Both Pakistan and India have chased 13 times successfully, although this is higher proportion of India's 21 wins, as against Pakistan's 24. South Africa, probably with their excellent bowling attack, have successfully defended nearly 80% of the times. Australia have been equally successful whether they were defending or chasing.

The last section is an analysis of the wins by the type of wins. There are four classifications: Very Close, Close, Easy and Thumping. India has had 3 very close wins. The one-run win over South Africa, two-wicket win over South Africa and one-wicket win over West Indies. Sri Lanka and South Africa have won four of their matches by a mile.

6. A few important measures compared

Measure	2011	2006-10	All-ODIs
Matches	146	769	3234
Runs per over	4.75	4.65	4.37
Runs per wicket	28.2	27.9	27.4
Balls per wicket	35.6	36.0	37.6
4s per match	36.4	37.3	35.4
6s per match	6.09	5.86	4.95
Boundary runs as %	43.0	45.6	43.0
% Inns >= 300	5.4	10.2	6.7
% Inns <= 100	2.8	3.4	3.8
Opening Ptshp Avge	35.0	36.9	35.0
% OP >= 100	8.7	7.0	7.2
% OP <= 10	31.1	31.6	28.8
Extras/300 balls	14.9	16.5	16.9

Now for a look at various measures for 2011, the preceding five years and the 41 year period.

The Runs per Over values for 2011 are almost the same as the previous five years and slightly above the historic levels. With the way the laws are formed against the bowlers it is a miracle that the average RpO has reached 5.0.

The three Runs per Wicket numbers are almost comparable. The differences are very minimal.

The Balls per Wicket are the same as for the previous five years and are slightly lower than the historic figure.

The 4s per match and 6s per match both showed a marginal decrease/increase from the previous half-decade. Similarly the Boundary % of runs showed a slight decline. It looks as if the trend set during the later half of the 2000s decade will be maintained.

There is a slight increase in 300-plus innings, just above 11%, to previous half-decade and significant increase to the overall figure. I get the feeling we have now settled into a once in 9/10 innings situation. Also 6 of these 300-plus innings were chased down and one equalled (India-England). Surprisingly there is a significant increase in the sub-100 innings. And let me also say that not all these have been the so called minnows. Experienced teams are caught in situations, out of the blue and get dismissed for below 100.

The Opening partnerships in Tests showed a 20% drop from the previous decade and overall figures. Surprisingly the opening partnerships in ODIs seems to have maintained an upward trend: 36.9 against 34.3 for 2006-2010. I guess the runs keep coming because of the attacking fields. The sub-10 opening partnerships are almost at static levels. There has also been a steady increase in the 100-plus opening partnerships. A strong reason could be the Powerplay rule changes.

There was a continuing drop in the Extras per 300 balls from 16.9 to 14.9. As I have already mentioned this must be due to the severe handling of No balls. The No-balls incidence has gone down from 1.9 to 0.9. The other three forms of extras are very slightly down.

Over the next month or so I intend to compile all the reader ideas submitted and come out with a blueprint for the ODI game. Let me see if I can persuade ESPNcricinfo to forward the same to ICC. Surely the ODI game cannot survive in this bloated format.

Anand has pointed to a gem. India were at the receiving end of four 5-wkt hauls during the World Cup 2011. I have checked this out, but this could very well be a record in a WC. The bowlers were Wahab Riaz, Rampaul, Steyn and Bresnan. He has also suggested Steyn's 5-wkt haul as a memorable bowling performance.