Who is the Best T20 Player in the World? A New Ratings System Uses Forensic Analysis to Find Out
Updated - 22 Feb 2018, 09:18 PM
A new Player Ratings has been introduced to give an accurate insight into performances in the World of T20 cricket. It has been unveiled by the Cricketing Publishing Ltd and the Federation of International Cricketers Associations.
The Player Performance Index of T20 cricket was launched on Thursday. It finally happened after an exhaustive process. The process, involved leading cricket statesmen and data scientists, which were conducted in consultation with the player’s representatives and the players themselves.
The developers state that the new system is a more “meaningful, evidence-based approach to determine a world standing for every player representing their club, franchise or country.”
An algorithm now identifies the top 500 cricketers all around the globe. It has also been analyzing data from three years of appearances in T20 cricket. It is incorporating all three elements of cricket simultaneously.
It is not only about batting and bowling averages, economy rates and strike rates. It goes together to produce the overall points scores for each player.
This is how the index is calculated
BATTING
Batting strike rate: Runs scored divided by balls faced, adjusted to ensure incremental gain for the highest strike rates
Batting aggregate: Based on batting average across all innings
Percentage of total team runs scored: Runs scored by the batter as a percentage of the total runs scored in all games in which he played; contributes to normalizing the effect of the pitch or conditions.
Boundary strike rate: The percentage of balls faced hit for 4 or 6
Activity rate: The percentage of balls faced where at least one run is scored
BOWLING
Economy rate: Runs conceded divided by overs bowled. This is also split by the stage of the innings (powerplay, middle overs, and death overs) to allow for varied expected values.
Indexed economy rate: Measures a player’s economy rate vs. the average economy rate in matches played (again dependent on the stages of the match in which the overs are bowled). A better economy rate than average scores positive points, a worse economy rate than average will score negative points. Contributes to normalizing the effect of the conditions.
Bowling aggregate: Based on wickets taken vs. balls bowled and runs conceded
Wickets as a percentage of possible maximum: Wickets taken as a percentage of the total possible in all matches bowled (i.e., matches bowled x 10 wickets)
Percentage of sixes conceded: The percentage of balls bowled which are hit for six
Dot ball percentage: The percentage of balls bowled where no run is scored
FIELDING
Fielding dismissals per match: Successful catches, run outs and stumpings all contribute to a player’s points
Byes conceded: Wicketkeepers only; measured vs. the overall average
After the base metrics are analyzed, the Index algorithm takes into account other weighting factors – such as match context, opposition strength, and tournament-caliber – are thrown into the mix before final scores are attributed.
The executive chairman of FICA Tony Irish said:
“The unrelenting growth of T20 has seen players delivering outstanding performances for teams in all corners of the cricketing world.
“Players and fans want to know who the best player in the world is at any one time and our new Player Performance Index does exactly that. We have drawn inspiration from other global player performance indices, such as those in golf and tennis, and by involving players in every step of the design of our Index we have created what we believe will be the definitive judge of complete player performance across the global T20 landscape.”
Aussie all-rounder Dan Christian has been part of the FICA player vetting process. He said:
“The game is continuing to change and the Index is spot on as a measure of who the best player across the world is,” he said.
Here’s the Newsfeed:
