Days of Grace
International Captain
Been working a lot on standardizing averages for test batsmen and bowlers. But I am always getting stuck on one point:
For example, Bowler A bowls in two innings.
One is against a strong batting lineup with let's say a team average of 40 (I also take into account match conditions). Against the overall RPW average of 32 across the entire history of test cricket, any runs conceded against this batting lineup will be multiplied by 0.80 (32/40).
Let's say the bowler takes 3/120 against the strong batting lineup. Thus, his runs conceded would drop to 96 (120*0.80).
In another innings, the same bowler plays against a weak batting lineup and/or in conditions good for bowling. The batting lineup/conditions have an average of 26.67. That's 32/26.67 = 1.20.
The bowler takes 3/60, thus getting his runs conceded adjusted up to 72 (60*1.20).
Without adjusting, the bowler across the two innings took 6/180. Adjusted, he takes 6/168.
Now, here's the problem. When a bowler plays a tough opposition or in tough conditions, he normally concedes more runs. Thus, his bowling average is adjusted downwards. However, as in the case above, if he plays an equal number of matches against strong and weak opposition, then his average will still be adjusted downwards because the more runs you concede, the greater the affect of the adjustment.
In the above example, the bowler should have an adjusted average equal to his original average.
Likewise, for batsmen, they would also see their averages drop since they would typically score more runs against weak opposition/in benign conditions.
Thus, bowlers are rewarded but batsmen are punished. This does not seem fair. Is there a way to factor something into this equation?
I can upload some spreadsheets if anyone is interested.
Hope I explained my conundrum well enough.
For example, Bowler A bowls in two innings.
One is against a strong batting lineup with let's say a team average of 40 (I also take into account match conditions). Against the overall RPW average of 32 across the entire history of test cricket, any runs conceded against this batting lineup will be multiplied by 0.80 (32/40).
Let's say the bowler takes 3/120 against the strong batting lineup. Thus, his runs conceded would drop to 96 (120*0.80).
In another innings, the same bowler plays against a weak batting lineup and/or in conditions good for bowling. The batting lineup/conditions have an average of 26.67. That's 32/26.67 = 1.20.
The bowler takes 3/60, thus getting his runs conceded adjusted up to 72 (60*1.20).
Without adjusting, the bowler across the two innings took 6/180. Adjusted, he takes 6/168.
Now, here's the problem. When a bowler plays a tough opposition or in tough conditions, he normally concedes more runs. Thus, his bowling average is adjusted downwards. However, as in the case above, if he plays an equal number of matches against strong and weak opposition, then his average will still be adjusted downwards because the more runs you concede, the greater the affect of the adjustment.
In the above example, the bowler should have an adjusted average equal to his original average.
Likewise, for batsmen, they would also see their averages drop since they would typically score more runs against weak opposition/in benign conditions.
Thus, bowlers are rewarded but batsmen are punished. This does not seem fair. Is there a way to factor something into this equation?
I can upload some spreadsheets if anyone is interested.
Hope I explained my conundrum well enough.