Help an American understand cricket

February 2, 2012 2:58 PM

Twenty20 cricket question. Is the match over when the second team batting is mathematically eliminated? Can you even be mathematically eliminated?

In Twenty20 cricket, each team bats for 20 overs, which is six balls (not counting wides or no balls). A coin toss determines who bats first. Let's look at this box score.

Australia batted first, scoring 171 runs. India batted second, scoring 140 runs.

Which means after the first bowled ball on the last over, there was no way for the batsman to reach 171 runs. He could have parked five sixes in a row for 30 runs and still come up short.

Isn't the game just over at that point? Why did they keep going for all 20 overs?

posted by Cool Papa Bell to sports, hobbies, & recreation (6 answers total)

In theory, the bowler could keep bowling wides or noballs which much be bowled again so the mathematical possibility of victory is still alive.
posted by vizsla at 3:00 PM on February 2 [2 favorites]

Can you even be mathematically eliminated?

No. Even if Australia scored 720 runs in their 20 overs, and India were 0 for 9 after 19.5 overs, the Aussie bowling the final over could bowl 103 consecutive no-balls, each of which is hit for 6. The no-balls don't count towards the number of balls bowled (as you mention), so an innings is potentially infinite. Well, the first innings is potentially infinite - if it's the second innings, that goes on for as long as either enough runs are scored or the team are all out.
posted by The Discredited Ape at 3:07 PM on February 2

Which means after the first bowled ball on the last over, there was no way for the batsman to reach 171 runs.

No balls and byes.
posted by pompomtom at 3:31 PM on February 2

They also keep going to the bitter end for TV ratings. 20/20 is above all a TV-friendly format, designed to fit into a specified programme window. If the game ends early, they have to show reruns of M*A*S*H to fill the gap. Plus, there can be a lot of fun batting to watch, when there's less at stake & the batsmen can slash around with relative impunity - it gives the losing fans a silver lining.

Second, the points differentials can be important for international rankings, or to determine who goes on to the finals in a series with multiple teams.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:55 PM on February 2

Thanks!

Bonus question: Do you guys know where I can watch a Twenty20 cricket match online that is not edited? I kinda just want to see the whole thing, with all the commentary and the between-the-ball goings on.

I figure if I can enjoy baseball with all of its hooha, I would enjoy this version of cricket, which seems to actually play faster, if you can believe it.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:31 PM on February 2

"Bonus question: Do you guys know where I can watch a Twenty20 cricket match online that is not edited?"

Let's just say that if you're after Twenty20 cricket (also a favourite in Bollywood), then googling the right terms will unlease a torrent of options, including full matches.
posted by Pinback at 6:10 PM on February 2