When we look at the game of cricket from a statistical point of view, it gives a different outlook and provides us with a different perspective on how the game can be analyzed and how players can be compared. In a similar way to how we approached our rankings for the best batsman in our previous blog, we will rank the best bowler across all three phases of play. In today’s case, the choices are the different bowlers and the indicators are (Wickets, Strike Rate, Economy Rate and Dots Percentage).
We will be assigning certain weights to each indicator based on their respective importance to the overall score.
Powerplay Scores
An immediate glance at the chart gives us a clear glimpse of the number of associate nation players who appear in the list, a clear sign of the challenging nature of this year’s World Cup. Blessing Muzarabani has been a sensation for Zimbabwe and ever since he picked up a hat trick and a 5-for against Pakistan, he has been the backbone of his team’s pace attack.
Taskin Ahmed on the other hand has been a sensational pacer for Bangladesh who always clocks with a high pace and hits the deck hard. His ability to take wickets and bowl-tight spells earned him a high score. Shaheen Afridi had a quiet start to his World Cup but picked up the pace and performed really well for his team. Van Meekeren too was excellent for the Netherlands in the powerplay and possessed an economy rate of 5.9 in the 13 overs he bowled.
Middle Overs Scores
The chart initially provides us with an outlook that the best bowlers of the tournament in this phase edge each other out by just a negligible amount, another clear indication of the quality possessed by each player. Shadab Khan is a leggie, has a knack for picking wickets and has the ability to break partnerships. He not only picked 11 wickets but maintained an economy of around 6.4 which is simply phenomenal.
Ben Stokes might come in as a surprise, but his tight spells in the middle overs along with his crucial wicket-taking ability make him occupy the second rank. His economy rate of 7.4 is impressive for a pace bowler in the middle overs. Mitchell Santner has been NZ’s best spinner for quite some time in T20 cricket and this world cup was nothing short of impressive. Sikander Raza might be a sensation with the bat, but his contribution with the ball has been effective in the middle overs. He has picked up 9 wickets at an economy of 6.05 which is simply brilliant.
Death Overs Scores
Bas de Leede has been very impressive for the Netherlands in this world cup and he has been at his best in the toughest phase of this format. He has picked up 11 wickets at a stunning economy rate of 6.56 and his spell in the death overs against South Africa was venerated. The young lad from Northampton, Sam Curran, the death over specialist of the tournament. His umpteen variations, ranging from wide yorkers to smart off cutters confused even the most experienced of the batters.
The experienced Trent Boult and Shaheen Afridi too make their entrance in this list and this definitely doesn’t come as a surprise, owing to their experience and excellence in this phase.
Conclusion
Using such Statistical techniques gives us a clear vindication that there are bowlers apart from our mainstay who end up performing well or even outperforming the most experienced of the bowlers. Inducing a flavour of math in sports do give us a different elucidation on how the game can be approached and also helps us form tactics to counter the opposition.
