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IS THE DECLINE IN THE FREQUENCY OF DRAWS IN TEST MATCH CRICKET DETRIMENTAL TO THE LONG FORM OF THE GAME?
Author(s) -
LENTEN LIAM J. A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
economic papers: a journal of applied economics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.245
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1759-3441
pISSN - 0812-0439
DOI - 10.1111/j.1759-3441.2008.tb01050.x
Subject(s) - cricket , test (biology) , argument (complex analysis) , explanatory power , power (physics) , style (visual arts) , economics , positive economics , history , epistemology , ecology , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , biology
The frequency of draws in test cricket has declined noticeably in the last fifteen years. This has been brought about by changes in the style of the 5‐day game, coupled with several rule changes designed to extend time played. While many believe this to be good for the game, a contrary argument advanced here suggests that too many Tests are finishing excessively early, and hence are more predictable. Regression results indicate that rising run rates and rising average wickets per Test have some explanatory power over the frequency of draws, but the rule changes have also played a big part. This is one issue (of several) that administrators must address to ensure that the oldest and purest form of the game is able to continue to compete for consumer interest with shorter forms of the game in the future.