Batting order (cricket)
The batting order (also called batting line-up ) in cricket is the order of the batsman in an innings . Due to the high degree of specialization of the individual players, the positions of the eleven batsmen are usually firmly assigned.
General
Basically, the captain determines the order of the batsmen. This is not determined in advance, so any player who has not yet lost his wicket in that innings can step on the field as the next batsman after each batsman is eliminated . However, in a first class game that consists of two innings, it is common for the players to occupy the same position in both innings. Most of the time, players also have their fixed position in the batting order. However, changes between the different categories of batsman are rare.
Positions
In general, a distinction is made in cricket between the following positions in the order of the batsmen:
- 1st and 2nd position: Opening Batsman
- 3rd - 5th position: Top / Upper or Batsman (upper row batsman)
- 6th - 8th position: Middle order Batsman (middle row batsman)
- Position 9-11: Lower / Tail or Batsman
It is common for those who specialize in batsmen to be placed in the lower positions and the weaker batsmans, mostly the bowlers , at the end. With the exception of the opening batsman, it is common to classify the batsman according to their hit quality, i.e. to let the better batsman come into play earlier. It is also common practice to demote a batsman after poor performance in the batting order.
Opening batsman
The two opening batsmen are distinguished by the fact that at the beginning of the inning they are confronted with a new ball , rested bowlers and mostly an intact pitch . The bowling team's usual strategy to start with fast bowlers therefore requires good defensive skills .
Top / Upper or Batsman
The task of the top order is to get a big run count after opening the previous batsman. Often the best batsman on a team can be found here.
Middle or batsman
The middle order batsman are mostly the better bowlers, all-rounders and wicket-keepers . You will usually find a softer pitch and often also a ball. Furthermore, they either meet slower bowlers or bowlers who have bowled several over. One reason for the wicket keeper to play in these positions despite better batting qualities can be to recover after their own fielding innings.
Lower / Tail or Batsman
Bowlers are usually used as so-called tailenders , and they usually only act insufficiently as batsman. It follows that a common strategy is to keep a possibly better batsman in play. The better player tries to bring the tailender to the stroke position by avoiding individual runs. With an odd number of runs in an over (for example, a single run on the last ball of the over), this strategy can result in the better batsman starting the new over as batsman. Ideally, the tailender faces only a few bowed balls in such a position.
Deviations
Night watchman
The night watchman is used in situations where a good batsman is eliminated with a few remaining overs in one day. Since the captain is not bound to a predetermined order, he can use one of his worse batsman, usually a bowler with good defensive skills, in such a situation. The aim is to avoid the loss of other good batsman in the often difficult conditions in the evening and to have them play the next morning under better conditions.
Pinch hitter
Should it be necessary to increase the run rate , especially in an ODI, the captain can appoint a batsman who would otherwise only be used later in the ranking. This can then take a higher risk and thus increase the run rate without endangering the specialized batsman.
Records
The following batsman scored the most runs in a test for the individual positions.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Partab Ramchand: Don't juggle with the batting order ( English ) Cricinfo. June 17, 2000. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ JM Norman, SR Clarke: Optimal batting orders in cricket . In: Journal of the Operational Research Society . 61, No. 6, December 2017, pp. 980–986. doi : 10.1057 / jors.2009.54 .
- ^ Ian Chappel: The power of three ( English ) Cricinfo. August 25, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ What is a night watchman? ( English ) BBC. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ↑ Martin Williamson: A glossary of cricket terms ( English ) Cricinfo. January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ↑ Records / Test Matches / Batting Records / Most Runs in an Innings (by batting position) ( English ) Cricinfo. Retrieved January 12, 2019.