An explainer on the parameters used to devise the ratings for best ODI batting performances of all time
Pitch quality, bowling quality, importance of match and more are taken into consideration

Against India in Antigua in 2011, Andre Russell took West Indies from 96 for 7 to 225, smashing an unbeaten 62-ball 92 • Associated Press
This is the base parameter. The batsman has to score runs to be of any use to the team. However, care has been taken to ensure that this does not become too significant and result in a bunch of big scores dominating the top of the rankings table. This is ensured by limiting the value to a maximum of 20 points - for a score of 200-plus runs. The runs scored provide the linear base for this parameter. A factor based on the relative strengths of the teams is also applied to reduce or increase the base points. It is clear that Gary Kirsten's 188 against UAE has to be devalued relative to Kevin O'Brien's 113 against England.
This is one of the purest parameters, in that the absolute value of the strike rate is used with no adjustments whatsoever. Also, there is no relative measure of computation.
Inarguably this is the most important parameter since it encompasses three important elements related to the innings. These are the "support received", the "relative scoring rate" and the "percentage of team score". The weights are assigned in the order of mention.
This reflects the quality of bowlers who took the field for that particular match. The CTD (Career-to-date) values are used to determine the Bowling Quality. Thus, this parameter is a true reflection of the quality of bowling faced by the batsman. This also means that the rating values stay firm as new matches are played.
This is based on the RpW (Runs per Wicket) of the particular match. There is no use going into any history since the RpW values move like yo-yos in this regard across time.
This measure determines the status of the game at the time of the batsman's entry by using the target, the percentage of target remaining to win, and the resources still available. For the first innings, the target is fixed based on the period concerned. The target is the Batting Par Score for the period. This value ranges from 260 to 280. This is the score which gives the batting team a 66.7% chance of success. For more details on this, please refer to my recent article on redefining par scores in ODIs. However, for the second innings, the targets range from 36 to 482 and the measure takes into account the target ahead, so the target is straightforward.
This is a very important measure. It is not too difficult to score runs while in the company of top-order batsmen. However, many matches are won because the set batsman adds invaluable runs with late-order batsmen, from the fall of the sixth wicket onwards.
The ability to put together partnerships is an important aspect of a batsman's game. A partnership means that a quick fall of another wicket has been avoided. A complex formula is used for this by computing a minimum value based on the team score and the partnerships the batsman was part of. A maximum of four partnerships are considered.
This measure is a combination of three factors: the relative team strengths, the location and the result. In addition, very close results, such as one- or two-wicket wins are considered and the concerned batsmen get additional credit. Close results like under ten-run losses are also rewarded a little bit. Ties carry a lot more credit than no-result matches, since a tie is considered to be a result.
Multiplying factor in the range 95% to 125%. The 11 World Cup finals carry the maximum index value.
The overall weights for innings of 50 runs and higher (10417 in total) are given below.
ScRt: 4.9%
IVI: 10.6%
BowQ: 20.5%
PQI: 12.0%
POE: 8.7%
RLO: 0.7% ***
PSI: 5.5%
T/L/R: 17.3%
Anantha Narayanan has written for ESPNcricinfo and CastrolCricket and worked with a number of companies on their cricket performance ratings-related systems