A successful operational research intervention in one-day cricket

After its introduction to one-day cricket in 1997, the Duckworth/Lewis method has spread to become the standard rule throughout senior levels of the game for resetting the target in matches shortened after their start due to rain or other causes. This paper reviews how the method is working following its application to more than 400 known cases. A comparison of the Duckworth/Lewis model with several years of data from international matches is made that confirms the suitability of the underpinning model, but the data indicate that there is a need to update the model's parameters. An upgrading of the model is suggested to cope with high-scoring matches when the basic model's assumptions begin to break down. Although the price of the enhanced model is loss of simplicity and complete reliance on software, cricketing authorities have begun to believe the price to be worth paying. Data from actual matches are used throughout to illustrate the implementation of this successful use of Operational Research principles to the solution of a practical problem in one-day cricket.