ANALYSIS OF TEAM PERFORMANCE AT THE FRIENDS LIFE TWENTY20 CUP 2011

Abstract

Important decisions regarding team selection, strategies and tactics can often be highly influenced by knowledge and understanding of performance indicators of team performance. The current study analysed batting, bowling and fielding performances during the 2011 Friends Life Twenty20 Cup by comparing magnitudes of differences (Cohen’s effect size) in key performance indicators between winning and losing teams. Several moderate differences were established between the winning and losing teams, and they were separated into general batting, bowling and fielding variables. The main performance indicators for success other than the obvious scoring more runs (ES = 0.85) were scoring more boundaries in the last 6 overs (ES = 1.14), bowling more dot balls (ES = -1.01), bowling more dot balls in the powerplay (ES = -1.01), achieving more 25+ partnerships (ES = 0.87) and scoring more runs from boundaries (ES = 0.78). New variables regarding type of stroke play that were included in the study also highlight that there are significant differences between where successful and unsuccessful teams hit the ball and the type of strokes that they play most frequently. It can therefore be concluded that for success in Twenty20 cricket, teams should focus on bowling dot balls to restrict run rate, aim to score more boundaries and rotate the strike by scoring singles, and build partnerships throughout the innings. It would also be advisable to try and utilise the entire area of the pitch when scoring runs to try and spread the fielders.