Just
like any other game governing bodies the International Cricket Council (ICC)
has been proactive to increase the viewership of cricket, which is yet to have
double digit test playing nations. The game of cricket has evolved all the way
from 5 days game to One Day Internationals to 4 hour T20s. The first phase of
transmission from Test format to ODI has been effective. The ODIs demand far
more viewership than Test cricket. The experts of field believe that T20s would
replace ODIs from its number one position.
One
of the reasons of popularity of shorter period formats is the spike in the run
rates. People seem to enjoy high scoring run chases than low scoring thrillers.
Hence a game, which was played equally b/w bowlers, has shifted a lot in favor
of batsmen. Watching Sachin thrashing the fast blowers is far more engaging
than watching Batsmen struggling against Dale Styen. For a fact, batsmen
command far more advertising than bowler across the countries.
Unfortunately,
the ICC has made this market trend (that viewers like high scoring matches) as
base for its adjustment in the rules. Over past few years ICC has tweaked many
rules in favor of batsmen. Only four players outside the circle, a free hit for
every no ball (Over-stepping), Playing with two new balls (which reduces the effectiveness
of reverse swing and spins). The ICC is not only enemy of bowlers here- even
the respective cricket boards of countries have joined the party. The boards regularly
favor batting friendly wickets resulting in high scoring matches, which in turn
result in higher viewership.
The
new rules and favorable playing conditions has shifted the battle between a bat
and a ball to a battle b/w the batsmen of two teams. The economy rate (number
of runs per 6 bowls) has been on an uptrend in the last five years. To put
things into perspective the average economy rate for the period July 2014 –
June 2015 has been 5.50, almost 11% higher than the average economy rate of
4.92 for period July 2011- June 2012. Bowling average (runs per wicket) figures
have also increased by 13% from 28.92 to 32.89 during the same observation
periods. A similar trend can be observed in the last two world cups. The economy rate of bowlers surged by 12%
from 5.03 per over in World Cup 2011 to 5.65 per over in World Cup 2015 despite
the fact that World Cup 15 was played in Australia, historically known for lower
bowling economy rates. Bowling average in WC 2015 has spiked to just below 33
from a touch above 29 in WC 2011.
Though
everybody loved it when AB de Villiers struck a phenomenal 162 off just 66
against West Indies at a strike rate of 245, the ICC has realized that an ever
rising run rate can be fatal for cricket. The ICC has now scraped the batting
power plays and allowed five fielders in outfield in the last ten overs. These new rules would be a major relief for
the bowling units, which, hitherto, were just playing to get thrashed.
