KOCHI: Interrupted matches in cricket will invariably lead to a discussion on how the target scores are reset and ultimately the efficiency of the Duckworth-Lewis method, which is the accepted practice in all official matches.
On Monday night, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming felt his team had lost the plot midway through the innings after the rain interruption and could not run up a total that they would have liked. And he was not convinced that the revised score - four runs for three overs reduced - did any justice to his team.
"At one point, we were almost 70 for two and getting into a good position," Fleming said. "When we came back we could not keep the momentum going and we were at least 20 runs short," he lamented.
Kochi captain Mahela Jayawardene agreed with Fleming to an extent but the Sri Lankan looked at the situation not just from the CSK match. "Over the years, captains and teams have been complaining that the system (D-L target scores) has not been fair," he said. Especially, in T20 the method needs to incorporate practical solutions to teams defending the score. "The system that was put in place for 50-50 may not be effective for T20 as it works backwards for the least productive overs," he explained. "It is time to review the system."
Fleming's grouse stemmed mainly from the fact that he had been done in by the conditions and not by the performance on the field. "We were not tired (after playing two matches in three days) and our fielding never wilted," he insisted.
The Chennai coach had a few other reasons that spoiled his party. The toss, the lively pitch that offered assistance to fast bowlers early on amidst overcast conditions and finally the rain that dealt his team a body blow. Obviously, Mahela Jayawardene had won half the match in the first minute when they went out for the toss.
The toss was crucial as chasing in those conditions was a better option and McCullum's knock at the top was equally helpful," said the Kochi captain. But the interesting part is that while the captains and teams have been hitting out at D/L method, an Indian may be smiling because he has waited long enough to convince the authorities and so far met with only partial success.
toi
On Monday night, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming felt his team had lost the plot midway through the innings after the rain interruption and could not run up a total that they would have liked. And he was not convinced that the revised score - four runs for three overs reduced - did any justice to his team.
"At one point, we were almost 70 for two and getting into a good position," Fleming said. "When we came back we could not keep the momentum going and we were at least 20 runs short," he lamented.
Kochi captain Mahela Jayawardene agreed with Fleming to an extent but the Sri Lankan looked at the situation not just from the CSK match. "Over the years, captains and teams have been complaining that the system (D-L target scores) has not been fair," he said. Especially, in T20 the method needs to incorporate practical solutions to teams defending the score. "The system that was put in place for 50-50 may not be effective for T20 as it works backwards for the least productive overs," he explained. "It is time to review the system."
Fleming's grouse stemmed mainly from the fact that he had been done in by the conditions and not by the performance on the field. "We were not tired (after playing two matches in three days) and our fielding never wilted," he insisted.
The Chennai coach had a few other reasons that spoiled his party. The toss, the lively pitch that offered assistance to fast bowlers early on amidst overcast conditions and finally the rain that dealt his team a body blow. Obviously, Mahela Jayawardene had won half the match in the first minute when they went out for the toss.
The toss was crucial as chasing in those conditions was a better option and McCullum's knock at the top was equally helpful," said the Kochi captain. But the interesting part is that while the captains and teams have been hitting out at D/L method, an Indian may be smiling because he has waited long enough to convince the authorities and so far met with only partial success.
toi
