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 40th-42nd 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!
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