AB de Villiers is a genius. At the age of 37, he is proving that he still has a lot to give to cricket.
The more time you spend on the Chennai pitch, the harder the game becomes. Spinners get extra turns and bounces if the dew doesn’t have much effect.
Some 53.93 per cent of the wickets fell in the last five overs. At that time, Mumbai’s run rate was the highest last year.
This time their run rate is only 7.87. Apart from Bangalore, Hyderabad has the highest run rate of 8.59 among the other three teams playing in Chennai.
With the help of AB de Villiers, Bangalore’s run rate was 11.33 in that phase of the match.
Kolkata’s strike rate during the last five overs was 107.69. Mumbai is also close, with a strike rate of 118.68. Except for Bangalore, Hyderabad is the highest among the other three teams at 136.36.
Why is Bangalore different? Because there is De Villiers. That is why they are far beyond the other teams.
At that time, the strike rate of Bangalore was 181.11. Well, statistics show that De Villiers is above all teams.
In death overs, only ‘Mr 360 degrees’ has a strike rate above two hundred, 247.5.
Those last overs are only death overs for those who have to bowl in front of De Villiers.
(Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The way the game is taking shape day by day, the batsmen do not seem to have much trouble hitting the boundaries. But the opposite happened at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It has become very difficult to cross the rope here. That’s for the rest, not for De Villiers.
De Villiers hits one boundary every 3.7 balls. De Villiers, who scored 125 off 64 balls, came up with 65.6 per cent of his runs from sixes and fours. He hit one boundary off every 2.5 balls between the 16th and the 20th over.
In the last five overs, Hyderabad and Kolkata have 11 boundaries, while Mumbai has three more. De Villiers has two more than Mumbai.
Sixteen of Bangalore’s 24 boundaries came from the bat of their savior AB de Villiers. The man is getting bigger than the team again. The statistics say so.
In terms of sixes, he is a little behind Hyderabad. De Villiers hits five sixes in the death overs. Hyderabad hits six. However, Kolkata and Mumbai are behind him with four and three sixes respectively.
Where the rest are struggling to hit sixes and fours, he is hitting them effortlessly. In Chennai, the wickets that fall in the second half of the innings are almost three times as many as in the first half.
Except for Bangalore, the difference between the first-half run rate of the other three teams and the run rate in the second half is very small. About 71 per cent of the wickets have been lost in the last ten overs. It seems batting has become very difficult towards the end.
In the last five overs, among batsmen who have faced ten or more balls, only three out of them have crossed the strike rate of 150. De Villiers has a strike rate 77.5 more than Rashid Khan, who is in second place on that list with 17 runs off ten balls.
De Villiers has almost twice the runs and strike rate of both Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard. Pollard, the second highest scorer in that phase, scored 45 runs with a strike rate of 128.57. Andre Russell made 44 off 40 balls. Shakib Al Hasan has the lowest strike rate on the list, 53.85. His only partner with a strike rate below 100 is Ishan Kishan from Mumbai.
De Villiers’ 125 off 64 balls was all in the last ten overs, and 79 per cent of it was in the last five overs. That means De Villiers flew in the most difficult time.
Now he is in Mumbai. Wankhede’s pitch will not be as difficult for batsmen as Chennai’s. The storm has not started yet.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think in terms of limited overs cricket, he's the most revolutionary batter since Dean Jones. Absolute superstar of the short form game, one of the most incredible talents its been our privilege to witness. That 33 ball 100 or whatever it was he smoked off the Windies in that ODI a few years back was just beyond belief.
Bobbo7
Guest
ABD is a superstar. I've seen a few games where Kohli plays second fiddle to his brilliance. He handles pressure so well and when on, can hit everything. Would be a big player for SA if he plays the WC
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
That I cannot answer Bernie.. But The ICC Constitutionally have no option but to suspend SA.. Politically already the SA Govt trying to avoid suspension, probably by recruiting support from the Indian Cricket Board.politically the two countries are closely aligned. . It's as much a Test for the ICC as well. I know that Fifa has a zero tolerance approach to govt meddling in its members administration and in fact a few years ago facing suspension from World Soccer when they stuck their noses in where it doesn't belong the SA Govt were forced to backed down.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Oh ok ... how long would it likely be for though?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
My response disappeared again.. Let's just say I want SA to get suspended.. A wake up call.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It literally boggles the mind.. The last board all resigned enmasse amid accusations of fraud, corruption, etc.. But wait for it... SA Cricket has 2 boards.. The administrative board comprising the Presidents of the 13 Unions wields real power and refuses to budge or relinquish their very high salaries for attending a few meetings a year.. That's where the govt said resign or we will eboke section whatever of the Sports act and remove you.. Actually govt is doing the right thing but the ICC forbids govt involvement in its member states. For my money bring this to a head and provoke public outrage by kicking us out of World Cricket... Again... South Africans have simply become so conditioned to corruption it may take an extraordinary action to ignite public outrage.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Why would the government be so stupid?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It's not looking good at all.. 2 weeks ago our 3 cricket captains, Ladies, Men's ODI and T20.. Pleading for Cricket SA to get their act together as well as asking the govt not to intervene to avoid suspension.. All to deaf ears.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
That's terrible JN. Fingers crossed common sense wins out in the end hey.
Rifat Jamal
Roar Rookie
I am very much amazed seeing the way he batted in a pitch where everyone struggling to bat on. If he plays for South Africa, no doubt, it will be a great plus point for South Africa. In a press conference, he says that he will talk with Mark Boucher after the tournament ends. By the way, thanks for your comment, Paul.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Sure, once I’m done watching the soap opera that SA Cricket currently has become.. I posted a few minutes ago reviewing the current episode but my comment just disappeared.. its a conspiracy I tell you…but more seriously The Proteas may not even be at The World Cup but if so as a non ICC member.. On Friday the govt dissolved the Board.. The ICC have previously threatened to suspend SA Cricket if govt interferes.. I watch next week’s episode with interest.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Send me a copy.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I can't wait for his book..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Even when he did retire from other formats but made himself available for T20s he got bashed by social media users ... Why? I don't know.. But are those keyboard experts especially on SA Cricket mags page representative of real public opinion.. I doubt it....genuine cricket supporters in SA gave generally turned their backs on SA Cricket and given it up as a lost cause.. For now at least.. Bad things going on in SA Cricket as we talk.. The main board has resigned.. Corruption, fraud, all contributed handsomely. But SA Cricket has 2 boards.. The administrative board comprising the Presidents of the 12 Unions where power really resides refuse to resign and of course relinquish their R450 000 annual salaries for attending a few meetings.. The SA Govt yesterday intervened and dissolved the board under section whatever.. It will be gazzetted Monday.. The ICC has threatened previously if this happens SA Cricket to be suspended.. Will we even be at the World Cup?
Jak
Guest
Watching Maxi and ABD smoke the opposition the other night in the IPL was a cricketing joy. The guy is phenomenal.
Paul
Roar Guru
Certainly hope so, Ruairidh. I wonder if we'll ever know the truth of it though? He says it was to spend more time with family, which is fair enough, but plenty believe it had a lot to do with the politics of SA cricket.
Ruairidh MacDonald
Roar Rookie
If he helps take them to the final or even win it, do you think he’d be forgiven by all the SA followers for the way he left the national team?
Paul
Roar Guru
Nice first piece Rifat. It shows just how good AB is when, at 37, he has to rate as one of the best 2 or 3 batsmen in world cricket, in this form of the game. I hope he does play for South Africa in the upcoming World Cup. With him, they look a chance of being competitive and could be a real outsiders chance to win it. Without him, I reckon they'll struggle
Rifat Jamal
Roar Rookie
The first six matches played in Chennai are included in the statistics.