Quantifying individual performance in Cricket $-$ A network analysis of Batsmen and Bowlers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a network analysis approach to quantify the quality of individual cricket performances, considering the strength of opponents and contextual factors, beyond traditional averages.

Contribution

It presents a novel method using social network analysis to evaluate cricket players' performance based on player-vs-player interactions and dismissal records.

Findings

M Muralitharan identified as the most successful bowler in cricket history.

Network-based metrics provide a more nuanced performance assessment.

Method can be applied to domestic matches for better team selection.

Abstract

Quantifying individual performance in the game of Cricket is critical for team selection in International matches. The number runs scored by batsmen and wickets taken by bowlers serves as a natural way of quantifying the performance of a cricketer. Traditionally the batsmen and bowlers are rated on their batting or bowling average respectively. However in a game like Cricket it is always important the manner in which one scores the runs or claims a wicket. Scoring runs against a strong bowling line-up or delivering a brilliant performance against a team with strong batting line-up deserves more credit. A player's average is not able to capture this aspect of the game. In this paper we present a refined method to quantify the `quality' of runs scored by a batsman or wickets taken by a bowler. We explore the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) to rate the players in a team performance. We generate directed and weighted network of batsmen-bowlers using the player-vs-player information available for Test cricket and ODI cricket. Additionally we generate network of batsmen and bowlers based on the dismissal record of batsmen in the history of cricket - Test (1877-2011) and ODI (1971-2011). Our results show that {\it M Muralitharan} is the most successful bowler in history of Cricket. Our approach could potentially be applied in domestic matches to judge a player's performance which in turn pave the way for a balanced team selection for International matches.