Investigating the Determinants of Success in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 Cricket

• Activity Number: 329 - Prediction and Performance: Applications of Statistics in Sports
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 : 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistics in Sports
• Author(s): Rudrunath Singh* and Isaac Dialsingh
• Companies: The University of the West Indies and The University of the West Indies
• Keywords: Twenty20; Performance Indicators; Factor Analysis; Machine Learning; Batting; Bowling

Abstract

Twenty20 (T20) cricket has rapidly become the most lucrative and desirable format of the game, with performance analysis pivotal in shaping successful tactics and strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of success in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 cricket. All matches were analysed from the CPL 2019 season within the Caribbean. Indicators of success were grouped according to, and included, power-play performances, number of wickets lost in the first 10 overs, partnerships of over 50 runs, innings run rate, number of boundaries scored, number of dot balls bowled, whether games were played at home or away, length of deliveries, and other bowling and fielding performances. Using a combination of factor analysis and machine learning, on a match by match basis, this paper also identified more balanced strategies to be utilized by the winning team.