That is one method, I prefer the remove the highest score method, but both are valid.

Yes I more agree with this. What cricket and individuals do is up to themselves, but a valid statistical approach would be to strip out the outliers, so the top two and the bottom two most likely. It's distorting in itself just to remove the highest score.

LeicesterExile wrote:

Isn't the best way to get to a true average batting average is to remove the highest and lowest score and work on what is left.

Our batters have certainly used the 'remove the highest score' method for this game............

In the case of our batsmen, in most cases the lowest score is zero.

Just looking at the table and going purely on batting & bowling points, we have the worst bowling points total in the division and are currently 4th for batting (although that will likely fall to 6th by the time the games are finished).

I am convinced that those batting points mainly came in the first 4 games though.

We should be safe on the basis that others are running out of games and that the good old British summer seems to be back to normal

I'm not so sure Measham.

If we lose this game, clearly Worcester catch us up. Essex look like they're on course for a win. Yorkshire and Hampshire look set for draws.

Of course the above is assuming we can't salvage a draw here, but if we do lose we will be within one win of both the bottom two!!

This business of taking batters averages but removing the highest and/or lowest scores, then revising the average and then judging the player accordingly is pretty mad, no?!

compared to some of the criteria used in baseball stats it is very basic. There amount of analysis done of specific performance aspects in baseball is mindblowing. The book, and film, "Moneyball" is based on how the use of data was used by a low budget side to become winners.

Andy, who said I was having a go at the batting, I actually pointed out that it doesn't look weak even though stats do distort things and I did point out that the bowling is the problem. Maybe I should paint a phoney picture of things like the club website often does.

Oh I get all that, I prefer to look at a players actual performances and who they make their runs against and game situations. For example Kai Smith has made just 3 half centuries this year and not else, but those 3 half centuries all came in high pressure situations etc. But looking at season averages then removing highest scores or lowest scores is weird as it's no longer a season average, just some of the season.

meashambear wrote:

Just looking at the table and going purely on batting & bowling points, we have the worst bowling points total in the division and are currently 4th for batting (although that will likely fall to 6th by the time the games are finished).

I am convinced that those batting points mainly came in the first 4 games though.

We should be safe on the basis that others are running out of games and that the good old British summer seems to be back to normal

Not sure on that about the first 4 games? Don't think we gathered many, if any, batting points v Notts at home and Yorks away? Could be wrong.

paulbear wrote:

Andy, who said I was having a go at the batting, I actually pointed out that it doesn't look weak even though stats do distort things and I did point out that the bowling is the problem. Maybe I should paint a phoney picture of things like the club website often does.

No didn't mean it like that mate, was talking about supporters generally, not you. I replied quoting you as I agreed with you.

OK own up who's been doing the rain dance over lunch?

Whoever did it, can they do one to last all tomorrow as it might at least mean we can get more draw points than bonus points and keep our unbeaten CC record v Worcestershire, going for another year.

It may have been an unpleasent short person from Lancashire :-)

6 down...is the door ajar?!

They want less cricket..they might be having day off tomorrow at this rate !

Andy wrote:

6 down...is the door ajar?!

7 down now. Not certain this is a good thing. They were batting so slowly I think they would have found a declaration difficult.

Ideally we'd want to bowl them out in next 5 overs and then stay off for the rest of the day with bad light. Weather forecast is showing brighter weather from 5pm.

These are not good batting conditions at all

I'd like to think the batting conditions are perfect - it's the bowling that's brilliant!!!!!