Play by Play Data

[Isura]

Been thinking about new cricket stats. One difficulty in obtaining good stats is lack of match data. Looking through the cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary, it doesn't lend itself well to analyzing with a computer. Are there other sources (free or paid) of match data? I was considering going through some old cricinfo commentary and converting it to a short-hand format. Something like

Batsmen/Bowler/runs scored//where ball is hit/type of shot/fielder

This could be used to calculate things like

- Success rate and average runs for different shot types
- Averages and strike rates when chasing various run rates (eg. 100 SR is more valuable when chasing 6rpo than 4rpo)
- How many runs do fielders save with good throws, diving saves

 

[Precambrian]

Been thinking about new cricket stats. One difficulty in obtaining good stats is lack of match data. Looking through the cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary, it doesn't lend itself well to analyzing with a computer. Are there other sources (free or paid) of match data? I was considering going through some old cricinfo commentary and converting it to a short-hand format. Something like

Batsmen/Bowler/runs scored//where ball is hit/type of shot/fielder

This could be used to calculate things like

- Success rate and average runs for different shot types
- Averages and strike rates when chasing various run rates (eg. 100 SR is more valuable when chasing 6rpo than 4rpo)
- How many runs do fielders save with good throws, diving saves

Ball by ball commentary is fairly new concept, and I think Cricinfo is the best resource for it. Can;t get better than it despite the usual gaffes like "Elliot and Warner led NZ to a good win over Aus" etc.

 

[chasingthedon]

Been thinking about new cricket stats. One difficulty in obtaining good stats is lack of match data. Looking through the cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary, it doesn't lend itself well to analyzing with a computer. Are there other sources (free or paid) of match data? I was considering going through some old cricinfo commentary and converting it to a short-hand format. Something like

Batsmen/Bowler/runs scored//where ball is hit/type of shot/fielder

This could be used to calculate things like

- Success rate and average runs for different shot types
- Averages and strike rates when chasing various run rates (eg. 100 SR is more valuable when chasing 6rpo than 4rpo)
- How many runs do fielders save with good throws, diving saves

I contacted Durham CCC (the team, not the CW forum member) to ask if I could get copies of their play-by-play data, and was told this:-

"These are strictly copyright of PA/ECB and
only they can supply this. I had to sign a copyright agreement which
David Harker dealt with from Press Association/ECB to stop us giving
this out this info as it all comes directly from the laptops which we
all use on match days and goes directly to their database to their
database."

I contacted the ECB and was told that other than the scorecards on their website, nothing any more detsailed is available to the public. I honestly don't know why, if you ask for them, you couldn't acquire copies, even if you have to pay. I presume they would never let the info go for free, as there are many, like Bill Frindall, who sell play-by-plays and scoring wheels.

 

[Richard]

Yeah there was a big push at the ECB a few years ago to keep this stuff under copyright and in strict confidence, so as to maximise revenue gained by English cricket as a whole, rather than private parties. Wisden, for example, had to undertake an action that substantially upped their costs in order to fall in line. Naturally, there was some trepidation at the book about this, but due to their wish to help maximise profit at the ECB, they agreed.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Been thinking about new cricket stats. One difficulty in obtaining good stats is lack of match data. Looking through the cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary, it doesn't lend itself well to analyzing with a computer. Are there other sources (free or paid) of match data? I was considering going through some old cricinfo commentary and converting it to a short-hand format. Something like

Batsmen/Bowler/runs scored//where ball is hit/type of shot/fielder

This could be used to calculate things like

- Success rate and average runs for different shot types
- Averages and strike rates when chasing various run rates (eg. 100 SR is more valuable when chasing 6rpo than 4rpo)
- How many runs do fielders save with good throws, diving saves

Go and chase some skirt instead.