Thursday, August 25, 2005

Trent bridge - Vital Stats

Bat first or second?

While most teams prefer to bat first after winning the toss, here are some interesting statistics worth considering; In the last ten Tests, the team batting first has Won 2, Lost 4 and Drawn 4. Looks like the pitch eases after the first day and is a beauty to bat on day 2 & 3.

This should throw up an intresting dilemma for the captains after winning the Toss. Will Ponting repeat what he did at Edgebaston? Or will Vaughan want to change a 'winning habit'? I recon not. I think it will be a 'we will bat first' decision...

What's a good First innings score?

Average first innings score on this ground is 326 but for the last 10 Tests it is 408. England's first innings average score is 325, (overall), 344 (last 1o0 and 271 (against Australia).

Interestingly, England have never lost to Australia after scoring more then 200 in first innings of a match. And the only time a team has lost after scoring 400 in the first innings was England against South Africa in 1951 when they made 419/5dec.

I recon anywhere between 400 and 450 is a winning score. Ok, 420 so the Aussies know they have history against then if they want to beat England :-)

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