Points system (cricket)

In cricket, a points system is a method for determining the winner of a cricket series involving multiple formats of cricket matches. The method awards teams points for winning Test, One Day International and T20I matches, with the winner being determined by the team with the highest total score. The system was first introduced in women's cricket for the 2013 Women's Ashes series, and continues to be in use for the Women's Ashes. A multi-format points system was also used in men's cricket in 2016.

Headshot of a blonde-haired woman in a blue blouse.
Charlotte Edwards, who captained the England women's cricket team in the 2013 Women's Ashes series, the first time a muliformat points system was used.

Women's cricket

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A multi-format points system was first introduced for the 2013 Women's Ashes series in England; the series consisted of one Test match, three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals. Six points were awarded for winning the Test match, with two points each if drawn, and two points for winning a limited overs match, and one point each if the match was drawn.[1][2] Talking about the points system, then England captain Charlotte Edwards said " It preserves Test cricket, which is the most important thing, but equally we get to play the more popular formats which are one day and Twenty20 which the media and the public has a huge demand for."[2] England won the series 12–4 after the test match was drawn, Australia won one ODI and England won two ODIs and all three T20Is.[3] The system was used again in the 2013–14 women's Ashes in Australia, with England winning 10–8, despite winning fewer matches; England won the test match, one ODI and one T20I, while Australia won two ODIs and two T20Is.[4][5]

For the 2015 Women's Ashes series, the points system was changed, so that four points were awarded for a test match win, rather than six.[4][5] Australian coach Matthew Mott described this updated system as fairer, as "Whether you win or lose the Test match, it doesn't really disadvantage or advantage you."[5] Australia won the series 10–6.[6] The 2017–18 Women's Ashes was tied 8–8.[7] Australia also won the 2019 Women's Ashes series 12–4.[8]

In 2021, the points system was used for India's tour of England, the first time that it had been used in women's cricket outside of the Ashes.[9] The points system was the same as the Women's Ashes, with four points for winning the Test match, two points if the Test is drawn, and two points for each win in the limited overs matches.[10] England beat India 10–6 in the multi-format series.[11] The same system was used for India's tour of Australia later in 2021;[12] Australia won the series 11–5.[13] The Test match was drawn, Australia won the WODI series 2–1.[14] and the T20 series 2–0,[15] The first WT20I finished with no result due to rain.[16] The same points system was used in the 2022 series between England and South Africa. England won the series 14–2, after winning all the limited-overs matches; the Test match between the sides was drawn.[17]

Men's cricket

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Andrew Strauss, who announced the first use of the points system in men's cricket

In May 2016, it was confirmed that a multiformat points system would be used for England's summer series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The points system would be the same as the system used in the 2015 Women's Ashes series, with four points being awarded for winning a Test match, and two points being awarded for winning a One Day International or Twenty20 International. The winning team under the points system will be awarded £25,000.[18][19] Director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss, who announced the new points system, said that "We're trying to create more context to every game that's played."[18][20][21] Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews was opposed to the points system, saying "I don’t like to move away from the traditional game but whatever the administrators decide we’ll have to go with and move on",[22] whilst former England captain Michael Vaughan called the new system "nonsense".[23] Former Australian bowler Jason Gillespie said that the points system was worth a trial, as it had been successful in The Women's Ashes.[23] England won on points in both tours, 20–4 and 16–12. The points system has not been used again in men's international cricket.

References

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  1. ^ "2013 Women's Ashes Series – Format". England and Wales Cricket Board. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b Hooper, Lynsey (21 August 2013). "Women's Ashes format could transform men's and women's cricket globally". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Women's Ashes: England end series with T20 win over Australia". BBC Sport. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Women's Ashes points system revamped". Cricket Australia. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Women's Ashes: Matthew Mott says revised points system 'fairer'". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  6. ^ Mehta, Kalika (31 August 2015). "Women's Ashes: England beat Australia in final T20 at Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  7. ^ Skelton, Jack (21 November 2017). "Women's Ashes: England draw series after Wyatt century beats Australia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Women's Ashes: England beat Australia by 17 runs in third T20". The Guardian. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  9. ^ "India series is going to be a real test for us, says England skipper Heather Knight". Women's CricZone. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Emily Arlott's England call-up just the start - Heather Knight". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Danielle Wyatt, Natalie Sciver power England to victory in series decider". Women's CricZone. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  12. ^ "England v India: Why are there so few women's Tests and how do the players prepare?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Mooney, McGrath seal the T20I series for Australia". ESPNcricinfo. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Australia hold points edge on return to T20 familiarity but India pushing hard". ESPNcricinfo. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  15. ^ "3rd T20I: Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath Star As Australia Women Beat India Women By 14 Runs To Win Series 2-0". NDTV. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Rain washes out first T20I after Jemimah Rodrigues' 49* on return". ESPNcricinfo. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  17. ^ "England v South Africa: Sophie Ecclestone stars in comfortable T20 win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  18. ^ a b "England v Sri Lanka: 'Super Series' to see multi-format points awarded". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  19. ^ Crellin, Mark (20 May 2016). "England will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan under a new format". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Strauss Brings In Super Series Format". Sky News. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  21. ^ Ravi, Sruthi (19 May 2016). "ECB announces new points system for series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  22. ^ "Angelo Mathews questions new points system for Sri Lanka tour of England 2016". CricketCountry. Agence France-Presse. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Michael Vaughan calls points system 'nonsense' for England's series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan". CricketCountry. Agence France-Presse. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.