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CricInfo Shell Cup survey shows cause for alarm Lynn McConnell - 31 January 2001
As New Zealand's CLEAR Black Caps search for a winning formula in the One-Day International programme they can take little comfort from the happenings in the Shell Cup. Statistical evidence measured over the last eight years by CricInfo, the period in which two full rounds of Shell Cup matches have been played, shows an alarming downturn in player performances, especially batsmen, in recent years. Based on what the statistics show, New Zealand's batsmen are diminished in basic run scoring ability, they lack the ability to build significant partnerships and they are not building innings toward 250-plus which has become the norm in the world game. Put simply, the summer of 2000/01 has seen the worst Shell Cup tournament since the first year two rounds of Shell Cup play was introduced in 1993/94. And it was largely because players were not used to playing 10 games in succession that such poor results were achieved in that first summer. What the first CricInfo annual survey of Shell Cup cricket shows, is a serious deterioration in batting standards, both individually and by teams. These figures are the first for what is intended to be an annual review of the Shell Cup series. The finals series between Canterbury and eventual winners Central Districts typified the rest of the season, giving it a lowly comparison with previous seasons. The figures, based upon 262 matches over the eight seasons, listed below show batsmen have forgotten the requirements of one-day play. As the director of cricket for NZC, John Reid said in recent weeks, if batsmen are not learning to score totals of more than 260, and to know how to chase totals like that in domestic cricket, they are less likely to be able to chase totals like that consistently. Initially it seemed the incumbent members of the CLEAR Black Caps were not so much the concern because at full strength they had shown the capacity to score and chase big totals. But events in the Zimbabwe and the first Sri Lankan game, suggest there is a correlation between the domestic and international performances. What is a significant worry, is the players below the international level. Those players trying to win international selection who are playing an entirely different type of game of one-day cricket, who are then elevated to international status with no preparation for the job required of them. Clearly, performances are determined by the availability of international players for much of the series and generally, when they have played there have been improved performances. Clearly, Canterbury is the dominant force in the one-day game in New Zealand. Before losing the finals 2-1, they had a dominance in the positive in all measures. However the finals knocked their figures back a little. Canterbury still have a 69.7% win ratio, 11.7% better than nearest rival Northern Districts who were 4.3% ahead of Wellington. Auckland has only won 41.5% of its games in the last eight seasons while Otago is the cellar dweller on a lamentable 27.5%. Win/loss records in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 262
One of the more glaring facts revealed in the survey is the lack of scores over 200 this year. Even taking out the fact that CD had four games rained out, which denied the chance for eight more scores over 200, the figure would still be below the six previous summers.
Ironically, this year has resulted in the first occasion in which two scores of more than 300 have been scored, but it also resulted in two scores of 67 and 73.
Innings score ranges in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 249 275 97 69 40 8
An indicator of a reasonable season or otherwise can best be seen from the number of centuries scored. With only five in 29 completed matches it is obvious the batsmen have not been to the fore. That, coupled with the previous table of scores in excess of 200, has implications beyond the lack of performance by players.
The need for players to concentrate has to be learned at this level and with only five centuries this year, it is clearly not happening.
Possibly of more importance in the long-term appeal of limited overs cricket is the fact the public finds it very hard to be interested in games where high scoring is not occurring. While low scoring games on poor pitches can produce tight finishes, it is not for the reasons most people appreciate - from high run scoring. As part of the sight of team's posting high totals, there is also the satisfaction to be had from seeing batsmen score centuries. The five this season are a long way from the delightful summer of 1997/98 when 14 centuries were posted.
Total individual centuries in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 262 68
Central to success in the modern one-day game is getting a start. With teams looking to make the most of fieldsmen having to be inside the circle during the 15 overs, it is a bonus to be able to take advantage of fielding placings advantageous to the batsmen.
But an analysis of opening partnerships continues the alarming downward trend in games.
This year, the average opening partnership of sides was 22.3, the lowest since the sides have been playing two rounds of games. The next lowest year was 5.5 runs higher.
Highlighting this factor, is the fact there have only been two century opening stands in the entire Shell Cup programme this year. The only worse year was in 1997/98 when there was only one century opening stand. But the interesting thing about this year's two century opening stands is that they occurred in the same game.
Alarmingly, of the 58 opening stands in Cup games this year, 20 were between 0 and nine runs and 19 were between 10 and 19.
As disappointing as the number of century opening stands may be, even more disappointing are the number of 50-run opening partnerships. There were only seven this year, which is inclusive of the two century opening stands.
Is it any wonder the national team struggles for a start when these are the statistics?
Opening partnerships in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 262 31 109
And if century partnerships are a great asset, then century stands further down the batting order are just as valuable. But in the last few seasons this has been in continued decline. While 1996/97 was a notable peak with 22 century partnerships the figure has dropped as low as 13 this summer.
Century partnerships for all wickets in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 262 127
If there is one statistic that is clearly sub-standard this year it has to be the average teams scores for the year. To have 188.5 as the average is little short of appalling. It is the second lowest figure in eight years, again only one better than the worst in that first summer of two rounds.
And there has been a significant decline over the last three summers!
It is again ironic that the team with the lowest average, Central Districts on 169.0 contested and won the finals. However, the fact that it dismissed Auckland for 73 and Otago for 67 and then had to chase to score those figures has considerably affected its reading.
But obviously the overall averages for the eight years show just how consistent Canterbury has been. Its average of 204.8 is clearly superior with Wellington on 203.0 the only other team to register above 200.
Canterbury also has the highest average season score of all teams with a best of 238.5 in 1995/96.
Auckland is the only team never to have managed an average season score over 200. Its average is also the worst of all teams at 184.3.
Average team scores in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Average 184.3 204.8 191.6 198.5 192.4 203.0 196.2
The average value of wickets has been one of the more consistent features of the eight seasons of two rounds of play. There have been wild fluctuations within a season such as the 39.20 Canterbury managed in 1995/95 to the 17.49 for Central Districts in the same year.
That Central Districts effort remains the only occasion a team has not managed to do better than 20 runs per wicket.
This is an important area of consideration in such an assessment because it recognises partnership building, one of the key elements in all forms of cricket and if there was one thing that sets Canterbury apart in its approach to the game it is reflected here.
It is the only team that averages more than 30 for its wickets and only Wellington with an average score over the eight seasons of 26.60 is above the combined average of all teams of 25.73.
That is a severe indictment on the approach of the other teams in the competition.
Average value of wickets in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Average 24.33 31.56 24.67 25.32 22.27 26.60 25.73
The partnership building factor in the previous table is borne out again in the wickets lost over the years. Canterbury is absolutely dominant again with the fewest wickets lost. It has lost just 623 wickets despite having played the most number of games (96) of all six teams. They have also played significantly more matches than their two closest rivals, Auckland (83) and Central Districts (82). Northern Districts has lost 729 wickets by comparison.
CD's figures are affected this year by the fact they had four games affected by the weather.
Total wickets lost in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Total 629 623 637 729 691 687 3996
The runs per over figure has followed a similar pattern as the other statistics. An average of 4.25 for the year is the worst since the earlier seasons of the double round-robin competition. This is slightly below the overall average of 4.26 per over during the past eight seasons.
The decline over the last few seasons is not encouraging given the trend in international cricket is heading in the opposite direction over the same period.
It should be pointed out here that the figures are actual runs per over, which is different to the net run rate calculation, even if teams are bowled out in less than 50 overs.
Again the figures are revealing. It will be several seasons before Canterbury's average of 4.54 is headed by any side, and at the moment it is only Wellington that is even in the hunt.
And it is Auckland with an average of 4.00 that is dragging the chain.
Runs per over in Shell Cups (1993/94-2000/01):
Average 4.00 4.54 4.19 4.30 4.10 4.38 4.26
© CricInfo
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