Historically, the World Cup has been the stage where nail-biting finishes, last-ball dramas, and underdog triumphs have kept fans on the edge of their seats. These thrilling encounters have not only defined the spirit of the game but have also etched unforgettable memories in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. However, a discernible shift seems to emerge in the current World Cup edition.
Unlike its predecessors, which were replete with close games and unexpected turnarounds, this tournament appears to be missing those adrenaline-pumping thrillers. The question that beckons is, what has changed?
Seam and Swing during a Downturn
Based on visual recall, during the Indian ODI cricket match earlier this year, the new balls produced a noticeable amount of seam and swing, especially when played under lights.
However, it doesn’t appear that the new ball is contributing nearly as much at the World Cup. Mohammed Siraj and Shaheen Shah Afridi, two bowlers whose speciality is the harm they inflict with the new ball, have had to slightly retract their lengths. A popular theory is that the batch of balls being used is just not swinging.
However, compared to what was available during the ODIs in India earlier this year, the average seam and average swing during this World Cup have decreased by just 0.1 degree. The average swing and seam have decreased from 0.8 to 0.7 degrees and 0.6 to 0.5 degrees, respectively.
For this reason, it’s critical to divide these figures up into locations. Lucknow, Dharamsala, and Delhi have raised the average amount of seam and swing that is available. For quick bowlers, the other sites have been rather level.
Death-over-batting is less deadly
This World Cup has the third-slowest run rate in the final overs at 7.33. In comparable conditions, the 2011 version wasn’t much faster either, clocking in at 7.43 mph. But given that we have two different balls in play (which means they are less worn out by the time of the death overs) and that the game has generally progressed towards heavier hitting since 2011, it is noteworthy that this should occur in 2023.
A competition for the highest ranking
After 30 overs, this World Cup has been the best for batsmen. This World Cup had the best average of 46.84 for this time period and the best scoring rate in the first 30 overs among World Cups since 1999, at 5.46 an over. The opening 30 overs also had the greatest run share (63.84%), albeit it is only slightly higher than in 2019. Similarly, for runs scored in overs 11 through 30: During that time, 42.6% of the runs have been scored, which is the most since 1999.
Rather than going all out, sides are trying to get ahead early, and those who fall behind early find it difficult to catch up. Even if the 2023 World Cup offered insightful information about the constantly changing world of one-day international cricket, players and fans are looking forward to what the 2024 World Cup may bring in terms of fresh trends and challenges for the game.
Nothing flashy to see
Rewind to Shadab Khan’s dismissal by Jasprit Bumrah. We couldn’t be certain the ball was reversing until Bumrah himself verified it. The ball had become so filthy that it was nearly impossible to distinguish which side was glossy, even when watching slow-motion replays. Throughout this World Cup, the balls have often been getting raggedy and scratched up.
Once more, some perceive it as the ball, while others as the squares. Regardless of the reason, even when the average turn has increased by just 0.2 degrees in the first and 0.1 in the second innings, run-scoring needs to be done early.
The benefit of IPL knowledge
Only eight of the fast bowlers currently bowling in this World Cup have averaged more than two overs per game while playing 18 or more matches in the last three IPLs. Furthermore, these eleven have considerably higher averages than the players without IPL experience (35.1 and 6.4 versus 29.6 at 5.3 an over).
Scarce close finishes
After 20 matches, the 2018 World Cup has seen more one-sided matchups than any other since 1999. Teams batting first and chasing have shared the results in the first 20 games played here. When teams have batted first and won, the average margin of victory has been 110 runs.
The winning margin for chasing teams is an average of 6.7 wickets with 63.5 balls remaining. The 2011 World Cup was the only one to surpass this on the three metrics of average margin of runs, wickets to spare, and balls left. After 20 matches that year, the average winning margin was 130 runs, 7.6 wickets, and 115 balls remaining.
Using spin to the very end
Before the 40th over, teams are bringing back their fast bowlers, and they are content to have spin remaining in the final overs. The ball getting scratched up and having an additional outfielder available for the final 10 overs are to blame. Consequently, spin has been used to bowl 32.6% of the balls in the death overs, an increase from 21.6% and 19.75% in the World Cups of 2015 and 2019. At the very end, only the 2011 and 2003 used more spin.
Is the left-arm advantage over?
Though they are still early in the competition, left-arm quicks—generally seen as an essential component of any attack—have not had a strong World Cup. They have given up runs at a rate of 6.03 per over while averaging 33 per wicket. Only three World Cups have seen their wickets cost more; their overs have never been more expensive.
Teams use left-arm quicks in part because of their effectiveness against right-hand hitters while using the new ball. As a result of the ball not moving as much as it has this time, they are averaging 45.16 and making 5.17 per over in the first ten overs, which is the second-worst average and the worst economy rate for this type of bowler in the first overs of any World Cup since 1999.
Conclusion
The 2023 World Cup of cricket has showed a complex and varied game environment. Although it was anticipated that the new ball would generate significant seam and swing, as it did in a recent Indian ODI series, the first few games of the competition have told a somewhat different story.