Summary
The mathematical formula used to recalculate targets in rain-affected limited-overs matches. Originally the D/L method (1997), renamed DLS after Steven Stern's revisions in 2014.
Full Explanation
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method is used to reset targets when rain interrupts limited-overs matches. It replaced older, deeply flawed methods.
History of rain rules: - Average Run Rate: Simply divided the target by the remaining overs. Deeply unfair. - Most Productive Overs: Used in the 1992 World Cup, leading to the infamous South Africa needing 22 off 1 ball situation. - D/L Method (1997): Created by statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis. Based on 'resources' — a combination of overs and wickets remaining. - DLS Method (2014): Updated by Professor Steven Stern with modern scoring rates and T20 data.
How it works: - Each team starts with 100% resources (all 50 overs, 10 wickets) - Resources are consumed as overs are bowled and wickets fall - If rain reduces overs, the target is recalculated based on the resources available to each team - The method uses resource tables that assign a value to each combination of overs and wickets remaining
The method is considered fair in most situations but is sometimes criticized in T20 cricket where scoring patterns differ significantly from ODIs.
The 1992 World Cup disaster (South Africa needing 22 off 1 ball after rain) was the direct catalyst for developing the D/L method.
Key Points
- •Created by Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis in 1997
- •Updated by Steven Stern in 2014 (became DLS)
- •Based on 'resources' — combination of overs and wickets
- •Each team starts with 100% resources
- •Target recalculated based on resources available to each team
- •Replaced flawed Average Run Rate and Most Productive Overs methods
Notable Controversies
- •1992 WC semi-final: South Africa needed 22 off 1 ball under old rain rule
- •DLS sometimes produces seemingly unfair targets in T20s
- •V. Jayadevan proposed an alternative (VJD method) that India's BCCI supported but ICC rejected
- •Several matches have had controversial DLS outcomes