The Teesra

Who’s winning? Duckworth-Lewis-Stern has the answer!

I have been lucky enough to play in a couple of matches recently where we had two competent (and socially distanced) scorers, using the Play-Cricket scoring software, and at grounds with modern digital scoreboards.

It was fascinating to watch the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern “par score” throughout the 2nd innings, on both occasions as we successfully defended our own 1st innings scores.

It was noticeable how closely the DLS par scores matched the players’ perceptions of which team held the “advantage” as the game progressed. A good partnership saw the scoreboard approach the par; a couple of maidens, or (especially) a wicket or two saw the par score race ahead of the batting sides total.

For us (Seniors, over 60s, many having played the game for 50 years or more — perhaps 1,000 years combined playing experience between us), the DLS par only served to confirm what playing the game for many years had taught us.

But might the DLS par provide an answer to the perennial question from the cricketing newbie — “who’s winning?”

Simple net game

Here is a simple game to play in the nets, to encourage batters to do more than “just have a hit”.

Each batter faces a round of bowling, one ball from each bowler.

First round — “have a look” — batter is challenged to leave as many deliveries as possible (1 run) or, if he plays the ball, to play it with soft hands so the ball does not hit the net (also 1 run).

Second round — acceleration — score 1 run for every ball that hits the net after bouncing.

Third round — “get on with it” — 4 runs for hitting the ball back out of the net.

Bowlers score 5 for every time they hit the stumps — if this unbalances the game too much in favour of bowlers, score 3 or 4 per wicket — the intention is to encourage bowlers to bowl as straight as possible, at all times, but the points are an added incentive to bowl properly.

If the batters are padded up, face all 3 rounds, then have remainder of batting time; compare scores at the end of the net session.

If using a soft ball and batters not padding up, rotate after each round and compare scores at the end of each phase.

Inspired by “Going through the gears” by @ImSporticus, and conversations with @DavidHinchliffe about net practice.

What are we doing when we coach? — What is coaching? (3)

I posted a couple of pieces last week about the process of coaching — how coaching is, perhaps, a bit like gardening. But I didn’t consider the “product” of sports coaching — for all of the tilling and watering (and weeding), what actually comes out the other end?

Or what it is that coaches actually do when they coach.

If I write “I am a cricket coach”, what am I claiming?

Professional status? That I am qualified to coach?

I have several certificates that say I am.

Or that I belong to a body of professional cricket coaches?

I pay my subs, at least.

That I enjoy coaching?

I do…maybe not as much as I used to, but it was great to get back into school in June.

But what do (cricket) coaches actually do? What is coaching?