T20 Internationals: All you wanted to know

Twenty20 action may have taken a backseat for now, but not for long. We look at some interesting analysis of data from cricket’s shortest format.

There has been a hiatus in the T20 space. Over the past few weeks, the emphasis has been on Tests and ODIs. The T20 Internationals will re-start soon and then there is the Champions League 2010. In this article I have presented whatever summarized numbers the readers might have wanted to know, and more. These numbers would let the readers have their own evaluation of future matches as they are played.

First, let me say that a total of 182 matches have been played. The match numbering runs until 185, however 3 matches have been completely rained off, after the toss,

Match level analysis (both innings considered):

Won by team batting first:     88 (48.4%)
Won by chasing team:     94 (51.6%)

A slight edge to the team batting second, possibly because the team is clear of the target in front of it and can pace the innings suitably.

Overs: 6769, Runs: 50637, RpO: 7.48
Wickets: 2406.  Wkts/Match: 13.2

An overall average RpO of 7.48. However, this figure is slightly higher for the first innings for obvious reasons, the first batting team having to set the target. Also, the match ends if and when the second batting team reaches the target.

An overall average Wickets/match value of 13.2. However, this figure is slightly higher for the first innings for reasons already stated. These differentials will be clear when we see the innings analysis.

Wides: 1624.   Wides/match: 8.9
Noballs: 254.   Noballs/match: 1.4

9 wides per match and just under 1.5 noballs per match are the summary of bowling infractions. Obviously some teams are more disciplined than the others and these are summary figures across teams.

Now for analysis by innings.

Analysis of First innings Overs/Runs/Wkts:

Overs: 3559.  Runs: 27075.  RpO: 7.61 (slightly higher than the match RpO of 7.48) 

Runs/match: 148.8.  Wkts/match: 7.2

Analysis of Second innings Overs/Runs/Wkts:

Overs: 3210.  Runs: 23562.  RpO: 7.34 (slightly lower than the match RpO of 7.48) 

Runs/match: 129.5.  Wkts/match: 6.0

The above can be seen together.

The First innings RpO is at 7.61 and the Second innings RpO is at 7.34, either side of the match average for reasons already explained. Same thing applies for the Wickets/match figures. The First innings values are higher since they have played more overs per match and the Second innings could be paced in a better manner.

The Runs/match figures vary significantly for clear reasons. The First batting team needs to bat on for the full 20 overs and set winnable targets. Hence the average Runs/match value for the First innings is nearly 149, about 20 runs higher than the figures for the Second innings. In the second innings, the match finishes when the target is reached. Hence the significantly lower value.

Now a slightly more detailed look at the First batting team scores.

Analysis of First innings wins:

First a simple analysis based on the average First innings score. This is 148.9. I have done an analysis of all matches in which the first batting team reached the mark of 149 runs. Out of the 182 matches, this score was reached in 91 matches, exactly half the number of matches. Out of these 91 matches, the first batting team defended successfully and won 67 matches, which works to 73.6%. In other words, if a team reaches the par score of 149, there is nearly a 3 in 4 chance of a win.

Now, I have done an additional analysis. I have raised the bar slightly and tried to work out an above-average par score which will give a much higher chance of winning. This is set at 165 runs. 57 teams reached this mark and out of these, 48 teams went on to win, which works out to 84.2%. In other words, if a team scores 165 or above, there is a better than 5 in 6 chance of winning the match.