Historical head-to-head anomalies in ODIs

[Zinzan]

The thread could arguably be in the main CC section, but feel it's kind of relevant with the quarter finals approaching, especially the SL/SA match.

Was just looking through head-to-head historical results summary (by opposition) in ODIs & was quite surprised with some almost illogical results across different teams in terms of overall winning records.

Records | One-Day Internationals | Team records | Results summary (by opposition) | ESPN Cricinfo

Almost like rock, paper, scissors, in which Team 1 has the wood on Team 2, Team 2 has the wood on Team 3, but Team 3 has the wood on team 1.

Couple of notable examples;

1) Both NZ and SL have overall winning records against England (around 55% each) ,England have a strong winning record against Pakistan (60%), yet Pakistan have strong winnings records against both SL and NZ (59% & 55 respectfully).

So for whatever reason, England seem to punch above their weight vs. Pakistan


2) SA have very strong winning records against both NZ & Pakistan (64% & 66% respectfully), NZ & Pakistan have winning records against SL (51 & 59% respectfully) , yet in spite of this SL have the wood on SA with a one game advantage in their history.

The fact SA started playing around '92 & didn't play SL in their weaker earlier days is no doubt a factor here, however in spite of that, SL seem to punch above their weight vs. SA.


3) Not such a telling one this but, India have the edge on England with a 57% historical winning record, however have just a 46% record vs. the WI. In spite of the England and the WI share a 50/50 historical record.


There's no doubt some logical explanations to some of these records, such as ratio of home/away games, the era most games were played etc. However it does show some teams do seem to have the wood on others.

So SA need to be extremely wary of their old foe SL come that (expected) quarter final clash.

Thoughts?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Also India's record against Pakistan is poor despite never losing to them in WCs

 

[Jimbo the giant]

The thread could arguably be in the main CC section, but feel it's kind of relevant with the quarter finals approaching, especially the SL/SA match.

Was just looking through head-to-head historical results summary (by opposition) in ODIs & was quite surprised with some almost illogical results across different teams in terms of overall winning records.

Records | One-Day Internationals | Team records | Results summary (by opposition) | ESPN Cricinfo

Almost like rock, paper, scissors, in which Team 1 has the wood on Team 2, Team 2 has the wood on Team 3, but Team 3 has the wood on team 1.

Couple of notable examples;

1) Both NZ and SL have overall winning records against England (around 55% each) ,England have a strong winning record against Pakistan (60%), yet Pakistan have strong winnings records against both SL and NZ (59% & 55 respectfully).

So for whatever reason, England seem to punch above their weight vs. Pakistan


2) SA have very strong winning records against both NZ & Pakistan (64% & 66% respectfully), NZ & Pakistan have winning records against SL (51 & 59% respectfully) , yet in spite of this SL have the wood on SA with a one game advantage in their history.

The fact SA started playing around '92 & didn't play SL in their weaker earlier days is no doubt a factor here, however in spite of that, SL seem to punch above their weight vs. SA.


3) Not such a telling one this but, India have the edge on England with a 57% historical winning record, however have just a 46% record vs. the WI. In spite of the England and the WI share a 50/50 historical record.


There's no doubt some logical explanations to some of these records, such as ratio of home/away games, the era most games were played etc. However it does show some teams do seem to have the wood on others.

So SA need to be extremely wary of their old foe SL come that (expected) quarter final clash.

Thoughts?

Sri Lanka has the batting to make the game very difficult for SA. They also have the most experienced team at the world cup. South Africa will have to be at their best no doubt about it.

 

[fredfertang]

What are the England Pakistan stats if you disregard games in which Salim Malik or Salman Butt were playing?

 

[Zinzan]

What are the England Pakistan stats if you disregard games in which Salim Malik or Salman Butt were playing?

Lol, fair point Fred, although why would possible dodgy antics only be against England?

 

[fredfertang]

'cos we always get picked on

 

[Xuhaib]

Woolmer's SA won 14 in a row vs Pakistan back in the 90's when Pakistan was quite strong. Pakistan has arguably done much better vs SA since 2003 when they have been a weaker team then to what they were in the 90's Woolmer really understood the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistan way of playing and his template was copied by Australia in the 99 WC final as mentioned by Steve Waugh in a tv interview.

 

[hendrix]

This is all about matchups which is one of the reasons I don't think the WC should have such a format where teams can be knocked out in the 8 team phase.

England are ****ing awful at the moment but I could actually see them beating Pakistan in a medium-scoring match. Their batsmen could get them to 280-300 and Pakistan aren't chasing that against anyone.

 

[Furball]

Anyone with less than a 100% win record against England.