Collapses in the first innings, Leggies' redemption, and more trends

The first ten games of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India saw massive scores. Out of the 20 innings played, seven innings witnessed a 300+ total. However, it has come down to three in 22 innings in the last eleven games. Interestingly, these three came on a new surface (Wankhede & Bengaluru - both innings). These are clear signs of the surface wearing out. 

In any case, the 11-match stint from 13 October to 22 October has been exceptional for the leg spinners. There are a few other trends as well, and here is a look at a few prominent ones. 

Leg spinners are back in action

The right-arm wrist spinners had a horror time in the first ten games of the 2023 WC. They had picked up only seven wickets and were averaging close to 65 while conceding above six runs an over, with a strike-rate of 63.4. That was the worst for any bowling type in that time period of the tournament. 

Also Read: Adam Zampa and Australia's intertwined World Cup fortunes

But the last eleven matches have all been about the leggies. They have picked up 19 wickets at a staggering average of 24.8 and bagged them every 27.9 balls, the best among all bowling types. 

Adam Zampa, who was averaging 123 in his first two games, now averages 12.5 with eight wickets in two matches (from 13 October). Adil has bagged five at an average of 20.6 and the Afghan maestro, Rashid Khan has four while averaging 20. All these three bowlers averaged above 50 in the first ten games.

A lot of first innings collapses

Another trend often witnessed in these last eleven games is the number of collapses in the first innings. It started with Bangladesh against New Zealand in Match 11 and ended in Match 21 with New Zealand suffering a collapse against India. 

The biggest of all came from Pakistan against India. From 155/2, Pakistan succumbed to 191, losing eight wickets for just 36 runs. In eight of the eleven matches, there were collapses. Though New Zealand suffered a mini one, they were able to recover. On the other hand, Australia against Pakistan had a slump at the fag end but had already mounted a massive total. 

In their game against Australia in Lucknow, Sri Lanka lost all their ten wickets for just 84 runs after a 125-run opening partnership. 

High pace hasn't been as effective

With a bit of freshness in the wicket, the high-pace deliveries (140+ kmph) were much more effective in the first ten games. According to our data where ball speed was recorded, the 140+ deliveries fetched 11 wickets at an average of 26 in the first ten games while conceding at 4.7. 

Haris Rauf, who had bowled the most deliveries over 140 kmph (59), had an economy of 3.6. Mark Wood, at second, conceded at 5.6 in 55 balls. 

The tale has had a twist in the last eleven games. Overall, the 140+ deliveries have fetched only seven wickets, averaging 54.1. The economy went up to 5.9 from 4.7. In this period, Wood has conceded at 8.0 in his 48 balls, and Rauf has gone for 7.6 runs per over in his 46 balls. 

Increase in drop catches and its aftermath

This World Cup has seen a lot of catches being dropped. It has been increasingly more in the last eleven games. So far, 69 catches have been dropped, and the tournament has seen a catch efficiency of 73.9%. 

In the first ten games, it was better. Only 28 catches were dropped; cumulatively, fielders had an efficiency of 77%. But, in the last eleven, the drops have risen to 41, and the efficiency has stooped to 71.1%. 

The exciting part is that the batters have cashed on those drops heavily. The perfect example of that was David Warner against Pakistan. Usama Mir shelled a sitter at mid-on in the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the fifth over when Warner was on 10. The left-hander went on to score another 153 runs. That was not the only drop; he was dropped by Abdullah Shafique, a rather tough one when he was on 105. 

There were two costly drops in the India and New Zealand game. The safest Indian fielder, Ravindra Jadeja, handed Rachin Ravindra a life courtesy of a sitter. He went on to add another 63 runs. Daryl Mitchell also was given a gift of life by Jasprit Bumrah when he was on 69. 

Overall, the 41 drops in the last eleven games have cost 1005 runs for the bowling team. In comparison, the 28 catches in the first ten had cost only 525 runs. 

Opening partnerships on the rise

Apart from a few here and there, the opening pairs did not have a great outing in the first ten games. Overall, in 20 innings, the opening partnership averaged 36.9 with three centuries and a half-century stand. They scored at a run rate of 5.7. 

However, the average has risen to 52.6 in the last eleven games with four hundred-run and three half-century partnerships. The run rate also has seen a hike to 6.1 from 5.7. 

Increase in lower-middle-order contribution

The lower-middle-order (6-8) have stepped up in the last eleven games of the WC. While the batters from 6-8 were averaging just 19.8 in the first ten games, the average has gone up to 27.1 in the last eleven. 

The lower-middle-order batters have hit seven 50+ scores in the last eleven compared to two in the first ten. Almost every batters has contributed equally. Mushfiqur Rahim with 104 runs leads the list. The Dutch skipper Scott Edwards, is joint-second in the list alongside Glenn Phillips with 94 runs. Seven different batters have hit registered a 50+ score. 

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Because of their contributions, the partnership from wicket-order 5-7 has been exceptional. Neither the average of these three wickets nor the 50+ scores have seen a massive spike. In the first ten, these three wickets averaged 26.95 with six 50+ scores (all half-century). But, in the last eleven, there have been three century-run partnerships, averaging 30.3. 

Toss continues to be irrelevant

Like the first ten games, where teams had won only 20% of the games after winning the toss, it also remains peripheral in the last eleven. 

In the eleven games, teams winning the toss have chosen to bat first on three occasions and lost all. In the other eight times teams have opted to chase, only thrice have their decision resulted in a win. Out of those, twice are India and once New Zealand. Overall, teams have won only 30% of the games when they have won the toss.