The Perplexity Of Batting Powerplays!

A 92-run resurrection stand in a final between number 3 & 4, last 15 overs of the innings coming up; wickets in hand, bowling pressure subsided, momentum & foundation. On an ideal day and/or on a flat deck the batting team would be projecting at least 110-130 in that span, subject to the batting powerplay (if unused) not going the bowling team’s way! 8 years and over a 1000 ODI’s since the introduction of ‘batting’ powerplays, the effective usage of those 5 overs still remains far from perfection; and Sri Lanka was the latest victim of the counter-effects of the batting powerplay!

It wasn’t all that bad to start with. In fact 30 runs came in the first 2.4 overs of the 30 delivery installment, 6 runs and 3 wickets followed in the succeeding 2.2 overs. Set batsmen removed, momentum busted and suddenly the last ten became too many for survival! Sudden momentum change in cricket is not a new thing, what is surprising is the frequency at which the ‘batting’ powerplays are shifting the momentum in the direction least expected.

ODI outcomes are backing the thought of modifying the powerplay rules - to stir up excitement in the cumbersome middle overs. Experts and analysts have been suggesting patterns or possible methodologies to deal with the 5 overs, but teams have found that it isn't as straightforward as it appears! With the current set of rules permitting the execution of field restrictions between over number 16 and 40 it becomes imperative for the batting teams to perturb with the old-school format of a set pair batting till the 40^th-42^nd over and leaving it to madness thereafter.

The dilemma is greater for teams with a couple of sheet anchor players in the top order; can’t allow them to be dismissed prematurely, neither allow the advantage to go waste! A popular illustration in memory is of India in World Cup 2011. The team struggled with the timing of this powerplay, in process conceded decisive momentum to the opposition while batting first on a couple of occasions. Those examples demonstrated precisely why batting units with a set routine dislike the abrupt push for scoring quickly.

The tendency of skippers (by taking the powerplay between over 36 and 40) is to look at the timing of the batting powerplay as an extension of the last 10 overs. Wickets in hand, flat deck, men inside circle augur well and the expectations inflate. By this presumption there is very little room for failure or a back-up plan, as the stakes of scoring in the final overs are very high! On the contrary the field restrictions in overs 16-30, which is rarely chosen, with a modest yield can be a better risk option. The argument/rationale behind not taking the batting powerplay between overs 16 and 30 is generally ascribed to avoiding possible perturbation to the schematic that has been followed over the years.

Stats always have a story to tell, but sometimes it is perception and mental preparation which drives instinct. The perception about batting powerplays not aiding the batting side in terms of momentum is growing at the moment. Consequently certain teams are looking at these 5 overs with humble desires; rather ensuring that the wickets column post this period doesn’t surge. Fielding captains are apprehensive about the number of fielders inside the circle, but last few years have illustrated that blocking singles in the powerplay phase can induce false shots. Bowlers and fielding units wouldn’t mind this growing outlook, and can back themselves to become better death bowlers.

Surely the cricket committee’s idea of introducing sets of fielding restriction was not to create a maze for the batting teams, if anything it was contrary to that! As it has turned out batting teams are more confused about the timing and utilization rather than being happy about its presence. Opening and finishing business in ODI cricket was very different in the 80s & early 90s than it is today, no reason why somebody with some ‘out-of-the-box’ thought shouldn’t pop up revolutionizing the middle overs passage by utilizing the batting powerplay as a tool!