Rating the toughest countries for batsmen in ODIs since 2000
In an era where the contest between bat and ball is actively declining, with the bat ruling the roost in almost every game, making bowlers look like minions, I set out on a hunt to find lands that can provide bowlers some respite. It was a hunt from a bowler’s perspective, where I go in search of an iota of greenery in the middle of a long-stretching, never ending desert. I want to find a place where life is easy and breathing is tranquil. As a result of a little research, I have listed down the countries where dreary bowlers can retire and sip fresh king coconut juice under a coconut tree while sprawling in a hammock, ogling at an aqua coloured ocean.I considered the following criteria to come up with the ranking: Number of scores in excess of 300Number of successful chases in excess of 300The highest ODI score in each countryThe hishest run chases in each countryThe average runs per wicketThe average runs per overThe numbers and stats relative to the above criteria for each country was listed in the ascending order. The first in the list was given 11 points and the points would sequentially reduce until the last item which would gain 1 point. For instance, number of scores in excess of 300 for each country is as follows.Host CountryMatchesPointsU.A.E.511Bangladesh1410Zimbabwe219England228Pakistan227New Zealand236Sri Lanka235West Indies304Australia343South Africa452India611The list was sorted in the ascending order according to the number of 300 plus scores with the top most item gaining 11 and the last getting 1.Then the aggregate of points for all the above criteria was found and thus the countries were positioned according to the level of difficulty the batsmen will have to endure against the bowlers. The higher the points, the tougher it is for the batsmen.
#11 India
With minuscule grounds and flat tracks, it is no wonder that India is the toughest place for bowlers. Batting in India has notoriously become a task of shooting a fish in a barrel with bowlers made to look like laboratory rats.
Needless to say, India has the highest number of 300 plus scores since 2000. 61 scores in excess of 300 have been scored which is 16 more than the second highest number of 300 plus scores in a country. India also leads the pack in the highest number of successful 300 plus chases, with teams batting second being able to emerge victorious on 15 occasions. South Africa, who sit second have witnessed only 6 such incidents.
418 is the highest ever ODI score recorded in India, which is the second most in the list. Chasing scores have always been a walk in the park, with the highest chase being 362.
India also possesses the highest average runs per wicket, 34.32. Flow of runs has had little restraints. An average run rate of 5.42 vouches for the above statement.
| Criteria | Stats | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Number of 300+ scores | 61 | 1 |
| Number of 300+ chases | 15 | 1 |
| Highest ODI score | 418 | 2 |
| Highest run chase | 362 | 2 |
| Runs per wicket | 34.32 | 1 |
| Run rate per over | 5.42 | 1 |
| Total Points | 8 |