BRISBANE: There is a misconception doing the rounds that India did not bowl enough short deliveries at Travis Head during the Adelaide Test. According to data supplied by CricViz, 24% of the deliveries bowled at the left-hander as he stroked a match-winning 140 (off 141 balls) at the Oval were short.
Now, 24% is almost 34 deliveries, and that is a fair amount. But with Head, the key isn't just bowling short; rather, the key is where you are bowling them.
Head's average while facing up to short deliveries in Tests is telling. When the short ball is wide outside off, he averages 173.0. When it is in the channel, he averages 83.5. When it is on the stumps, he averages 60.7. But here is the kicker: when it is down leg (into the body), that average drops to 20.6.
And the number of deliveries India bowled into Head's body? Five. To be fair, there is no guarantee that a ball in that direction would have got his wicket. But there is a higher chance—that is what the data was telling us, and isn't cricket at the end of the day about taking your chances?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ashwin: Player who never believed in playing it safe
The off-spinner decided to retire from international cricket at the end of the third Test against Australia
Rain plays spoilsport as Test ends in draw
India escaped with a crucial draw in the weather-hit third Test against Australia after intermittent rain wiped out the majority of play on Day 5, leaving the five-match series tantalisingly locked at 1-1.
INDIA TO FACE PAK IN INAUGURAL KHO KHO WORLD CUP OPENER ON JAN 13
Hosts India will face arch rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup on January 13, the organisers announced on Wednesday.
With T20I series on line, India look to make amends vs WI
India will look to make amends in all areas and counter the West Indies' power game when the two teams face off in the decider of the women's T20I series on Thursday, with regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's participation still shrouded in uncertainty.
Will go to MCG with confidence: Rohit lauds late order fightback
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma hailed the resilience of the lower-order batters after his team managed to salvage a crucial draw in the rain-hit third Test against Australia here on Wednesday, saying it has given the side renewed confidence for the remaining series.
NET DIRECT TAX COLLECTION GROWS 16.45% TILL DECEMBER 17
Net direct tax collection grew 16.45% year-on-year (y-o-y) to over ₹15.82 lakh crore till December 17 this fiscal, buoyed by higher advance tax mop-up, government data showed.
Trump threatens to impose reciprocal tax on India
INDIA'S EXPORTS STOOD AT $77.51 BN, WHILE IMPORTS AGGREGATED AT $42.2 BN IN THE LAST FISCAL
Institutional investments in Indian RE hit peak at $8.87 bn
Institutional investment in Indian real estate (RE) rose 51% to a record $8.87 billion during 2024 as investors look to encash strong demand for housing, office and warehousing properties, according to JLL.
Markets extend losses into third session on foreign fund outflows
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty stayed on the back foot for the third straight session on Wednesday as investors offloaded utility, capital goods and metal stocks amid foreign fund outflows.
Nissan and Honda consider merger
Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are exploring a merger, according to people familiar with the matter, that would create a singular rival to Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan and better position the combined company to face competitive challenges around the world.
