Winning one-day international cricket matches: a cross-team perspective

ABSTRACT The study analyses the predictors of a win for four international cricket teams in the one-day international cricket format. A binary logistic regression is used to determine the relationship between the independent variables, i.e., fours and sixes scored, bowling economy, extras conceded, fielding dismissals, the number of debutants from each side, umpire’s nationality, pitch condition, and season of play vis-à-vis odds of a win. The study found that the number of fielding dismissals and bowler economy significantly influence the odds of winning for all four teams. Further, the nationality of the umpire did not affect any team, while other variables influenced the fortunes of different teams differently. Proposed models in the paper can be used by team management and coaches in devising match strategy and player selection for higher win outcomes based on a combination of historical trend data for specific variables and actual data for the others.