Stats

Why not let captains decide what batting or bowling first is worth and use runs to buy the advantage?

Maybe it really is a new dawn for their batting. Or is it?

The batting Powerplay might be history, but it's worth reviewing how those restrictions loaded the odds in favour of batsmen batting late in the first innings of ODIs

Traditionally, batsmen have found the best way to score runs is to take time to settle in and minimise risks early on. The New Zealand captain does otherwise

Their batsmen are well seasoned going into the Ashes - like on other recent visits to England. It is a trend that has worked in terms of run-scoring, if not overall results

A look at the one-day numbers of the Sri Lankan duo and their impact

The worst ten-Test periods for batsmen and bowlers

Does a points system that takes into account the margin of victory involve too much math?

A look at the best of the come-from-behind wins in Tests, and a letter to Don Bradman

Replace knockouts with Qualifiers and Eliminators and change the points system to one that takes into account the margin of victory

Uncommon yet relevant numbers from the 2015 World Cup, and another Bradman memorabilia

A look at how the scoring rates have seen a significant increase in this World Cup

They are lagging behind in ODIs because their habit of taking refuge in stats to explain defeat has lost its relevance

Tidbits from the 2015 World Cup

The two sides' records against each other have had very little to do with their form against the other top teams

A look at how teams have done in previous World Cups - their records and their win margins. Also their recent form

In his piece for the Guardian's Spin, Andy Bull analyses how Twenty20 cricket and rule changes have made traditional ODI strategies redundant, and remarks that mind-boggling batting feats have become so common, it's bewildering for fans

Why it is a myth that left-right batting combinations have an advantage over other batting pairs in ODIs

A look at the closest matches in Test history, and a Bradman surprise