Cricketing dilemma
A well set middle order batsman and a number 11 need 6 to win from the final over, middle order batsman facing on 50 not out. The number 11 has 4 runs to his name. 5 players around the boundary. First ball hit to deep midwicket and the batsmen scamper 2, getting home easily in the end as the throw is off target but it would have been tight with a better throw. The second ball is blocked into the covers and one is on offer as the in-field is deep.
Should the batsmen take the single on offer?
8 comments:
I would say as there are still 4 more balls remaining I would refuse the single. If the same happened the following ball then its a closer call.
If the batsmen have taken 2 to the boundary fielders then they should wait until they hit the ball out to the boundary again and push the fielder hoping to make it another two. Or of course just hit a boundary despite the boundary fielders.
An awful lot of variables spring to mind: how good is the no. 11? How well is he playing this bowler? To give two examples.
Based on the information given though, I'd agree with Winks, there are 4 balls left, wait and see. Don't do anything silly, like Klusener and Donald did in '99.
Yes, far too many variables admittedly!
To try and answer the 2 you mentioned, the number 11 in question has opened the batting earlier in the season (scoring stodgy 20s at best) and is better than your average number 11.
To get to needing 6 off the last over, the batsmen had previously turned down one or two singles off the last balls of overs etc, but the number 11 had been in for about 6 overs and faced maybe 12 balls. The pair had put on 31.
The bowler was medium pace but bowled more slowers balls in an over balls than normal pace balls.
Probably time to say that tbe batsman was me (as if you hadn't realised aleady!) and I made the wrong decision! Took the single and the number 11 was bowled off the 3rd ball of the over.
Fortunately it didn't make any difference to our league position....
I would have taken the single too. With the field that spread you would need to start hitting boundaries or hard run 2s. When you need such a small amount, take every run!
Its a tough call, and a case can be made for either option. I think its important though to make your mind up before the ball is bowled, and make sure both batsmen know what the plan is because its all academic if there's a mix up and a run out results.
If the number 11 in question resembles Harry Potter then definitely don't take the single !!!
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