Duckworth-Lewis method explained

As we all know the Duckworth-lewis method or system is used to set the target for the team batting second in a weather affected match and is used in both One day matches and T 20.

Before I tell you the method to calculate the target let me dig into its history for a short while.

• D/L method is named after its inventors Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis, both British statisticians.
• It was first implemented in international cricket in the second one-day international between Zimbabwe and England in 1996/97 season. Interestingly, that match was won by Zimbabwe.
• The D/L method has not been used in a T20 match till now.

This method can only yield a result only if both the teams bat for a minimum of 20 overs in a one-day international and a minimum of 5 overs in a T 20 match.

Now coming to the D/L method of calculating a target score, it is based on what is called as ‘resources’. There are two types of resources available to both the teams. The number of overs left and the number of wickets lost. At any point in the innings the D/L target depends on the both of those resources, wickets and overs.

See the graph which represents the relation between the two resources, number of overs and wickets in hand. 

It needs a pre-published table which gives these resources combined (in percentage), and which can be adjusted up or down depending upon the availability of Resources.

D/L method is split into two types, one being called syandard edition and other Professional.

While the standard method is easy to interpret and can be assessed using pen and a paper, a professional edition requires a computer to calculate the target.

ICC has adopted the Professional edition since 2004.

Download the 2002 standard edition D/L table to see how the scores are adjusted according to the availability of resources. 

Since One-day internationals these days are seeing bigger scores, the D/L method has also been updated lately, the latest update being only in 2004.

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