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Why is the frequent implementation of the DLS method a threat to World Cup 2023?
The upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be hosted by India in its entirety and 10 different teams are geared up to clinch the trophy. As the tournament is set to kickstart on 5th October 2023, this is the most commonly asked query among many cricket fans ” Is the DLS method a threat to World Cup 2023 Matches”?
Basically, the Duckworth-Lewis Stern (DLS) Method, is implemented to decide the outcome of the match by reducing the overs according to the mathematical formulation of the calculated score. This target score is set for the teams batting second and to ensure that the teams chase the match without any interruption during extreme rains.
The main purpose of implementing the DLS method is to provide fair opportunity to both teams playing under unfavorable weather conditions.
Recently, the warm-up games of England vs Bangladesh ( 6th Warm-Up Match) and New Zealand vs South Africa (7th Warm-Up Match) were concluded by using the DLS Method which will be discussed in detail…
New Zealand vs South Africa Warm-Up Match Outcome: DLS method a threat to World Cup 2023 matches?
The 7th Warm-up match between New Zealand and South Africa played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram was concluded without a fair result using the DLS Method.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson determined to bat first after winning the toss, which was a smart decision taken according to the varying weather conditions.
Initially, New Zealand was not set off to a great start by losing their opening batsman Will Young ( 12 runs from 17 balls- including 2 fours). South Africa had the hopes to control the match by taking early wickets after the early departure of Will Young at 24-1 in 4.4 Overs.
The controlled performance of Devon Convay ( 78 runs from 73 balls- including 11 fours and 1 six), Tom Latham (52 runs from 56 balls- 4 fours and 1 six), and Glenn Philips ( 43 runs from 40 balls- 4 Fours and 1 six) ensured to make their team reach a total of 321-6 in 50 overs and prevented the quick fall of wickets under the tricky situations.
However, New Zealand was fortunate to bat completely till the 50 overs despite the unstable weather conditions, and South African Bowlers Lungi Ngidi- 33/3 in 7 overs ( including 1 maiden over) and Marco Jansen – 45/3 in 8 overs were in their most satisfactory form by maintaining excellent bowling figures
South Africa’s poor start with the early dismissal of Reeza Hendricks (0 from 1 ball ) made an unconfident feeling among the South African Batsmen with a score of 2-1 in 0.3 Overs.
But, Rassie van der Dussen’s steady knock of 51 runs from 56 balls ( including 9 fours) helped South African opening batsman Quinton De Kock take his own time to gain form.
Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed by Mitchell Santner at 74-2 in 14.3 overs. Regardless, of the quick fall wickets of the South African Batsmen, Quinton De Kock was looking in his best form with his blistering knock of 84 runs from 89 balls- including 12 fours and 1 six and ensured to bat till the end while chasing the huge target.
Quinton De Kock’s crucial knock guided his team to a score of 211- 4 in 37 overs until the commencement of severe rains in Kerela.
The match could have been continued if there had been a slight chance of a reduction in rainfall so that the ground staff could have made the necessary arrangements. In contrast, it was heartbreaking for South Africa to not bat till the 50th over of the match as heavy rains started to occur and seemed to be unstoppable for a long while.
New Zealand won the match by 7 runs using the DLS Method. It would be disappointing for South Africa not to experience a fair outcome with a full-fledged match by losing against their opposition by a short margin and the implementation of the DLS Method due to extreme rains.
With 13 overs remaining and 6 wickets in hand, South Africa could have easily pulled off victory against New Zealand with their Top performing batsmen Quinton De Kock ( 84 runs from 89 balls) and David Miller (18 runs from 26 balls) remained not out and were settled on the crease with their finest performance.
South Africa had a higher chance of chasing 111 runs in 13 overs if the severe rains hadn’t interfered during the match.
New Zealand has won 2 out of 2 warm-up matches – A win against Pakistan by 5 wickets and against South Africa by 7 runs using the DLS method. The victories for New Zealand cricketers in both warm-up games boost their confidence level to play against other teams in the ICC World Cup 2023 Tournament. As a result, New Zealand has become used to the pitch conditions in India and proved to be one of the strongest teams in this tournament.
On the other hand, South Africa played 1 out of 2 warm-up matches – A DLS result of loss by just 7 runs against New Zealand ( by using the DLS Method) and an abandoned match against Afghanistan. It would be a challenging task for South Africa to rehearse with the different pitch conditions in India and perform well against their opposition.
Overall, the DLS Method implemented to determine the outcome was not satisfying for the New Zealand vs South Africa warm-match. Since it was a warm-up match it was acceptable by the audience which does not reflect continuing with the same anticipations during the league matches of this tournament.
England vs Bangladesh Warm-Up Match Outcome: DLS method a threat to World Cup 2023 matches?
In contrast to the warm-up match between New Zealand and South Africa, the DLS method implemented in the England vs Bangladesh Warm Up game seemed to be a fair chance for both teams.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto decided to bat first after winning the toss despite the tricky pitch conditions that tend to change according to hard-luck weather situations at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (Assam)
Vatting first, Bangladesh was not able to face the fierce bowling attack of England by losing early wickets. A decent performance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz ( 74 from 89 balls- including 10 fours) and Tanzid Hasan ( 45 runs from 44 balls – 7 fours and 1 six) recovered Bangladesh from a collapsing start, but could not succeed in posting a high total against their opposition.
At the 30th Over, the match was interrupted due to heavy rains with a score of 153-5, and the match was reduced to 37 overs per side.
Bangladesh batsmen under pressure, managed to score only 35-4 in the completing 7 overs of the 1st innings thereby posting a low total of 188-9 in 37 overs.
According to the DLS method, England had to chase 197 runs in 37 overs under the revised playing conditions.
England Batsmen ensured to wrap up the show instantly by successfully chasing the target under 25 overs with a 4-wicket win against Bangladesh. Moeen Ali’s quickfire 56 runs from 39 balls – including 2 fours and 6 sixes, steered his team to a comfortable victory of 197-6 in 24.1 overs.
England has won 1 out of 2 warm-up matches – A dominating win against Bangladesh and an abandoned match against India due to heavy rains.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has won 1 out of 2 warm-up matches despite the unfavorable weather conditions- A win against Sri Lanka by 7 wickets and a loss against England.
The results of the warm-up match on 2nd October 2023( Monday), built excitement among fans with New Zealand and England winning against their opposition.
The ICC World Cup 2023 commences on 5th October 2023 ( Thursday) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad(Gujarat) and it would be exhilarating to watch the gripping battle of New Zealand vs England – The runner-up of ICC World Cup 2019 vs The Defending Champions of ICC World Cup 2019.
The audience would be expecting a fair result in the New Zealand vs England match unlike the ICC World Cup 2019 finals – The winner of the tournament was declared by considering the team hitting the most number of sixes and fours after the super over was concluded with the draw match.
This time, there have been certain changes in the rules for ICC World Cup 2023 such as the inclusion of the 2nd Super-over in the semi-finals and finals if a tie-match occurs in the 1st super-over.
Concluding Facts: DLS method a threat to World Cup 2023 matches?
Overall, implementation of the DLS Method in rare circumstances would be acceptable and enjoyable for fans and cricket players as well as frustrating when implemented frequently due to unavoidable circumstances.
Conducting a reserve day in league matches allows both teams to deliver their complete performance for a 50-over game without playing under pressure by implementing the DLS method.
The upcoming match of India vs Netherlands on 3rd October 2023, is scheduled at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerela) – The same venue as the New Zealand vs South Africa Warm Up Match.
Though the result is predicted in advance that India has the maximum chance of winning against the Netherlands. At the same time, there is an uncertainty of having a canceled match or reduced overs match by implementing the DLS method.
Also, Virat Kohli’s absence in the warm-up match against the Netherlands due to personal reasons creates an opportunity as well as a challenge for young talented players to perform well in adverse weather conditions.
The Indian Cricket Team would be hoping to play a complete 50-over warm-up match against the Netherlands without any interruptions of rain and implementations of the DLS Method.
The weather conditions at Kerela and Assam are unfavorable and cause inconvenience to teams playing at that venue.
Due to the late monsoons, teams playing in India may not have a perfect rehearsal with the warm-up matches in order to perform well in the upcoming tournament.
It is predicted that the weather conditions may change after 5th October 2023 which can provide a fair opportunity and a conclusive result for both teams to play against each other with a complete 50-over match rather than the DLS method coming into action.
Overall, the DLS method can either prove to be a threat or favorable for the teams playing ICC World Cup 2023, depending upon the match situations and weather conditions.