How data analytics can help India get back on track versus Australia

Head inflicted pain on the visitors in the 2nd Test; numbers show the short ball on a channel could stop the left-hander

- ASHISH MAGOTRA IN AUSTRALIA

BRISBANE: There is a misconception doing the rounds that India did not bowl enough short deliveries at Travis Head during the Adelaide Test. According to data supplied by CricViz, 24% of the deliveries bowled at the left-hander as he stroked a match-winning 140 (off 141 balls) at the Oval were short.

Now, 24% is almost 34 deliveries, and that is a fair amount. But with Head, the key isn't just bowling short; rather, the key is where you are bowling them.

Head's average while facing up to short deliveries in Tests is telling. When the short ball is wide outside off, he averages 173.0. When it is in the channel, he averages 83.5. When it is on the stumps, he averages 60.7. But here is the kicker: when it is down leg (into the body), that average drops to 20.6.

And the number of deliveries India bowled into Head's body? Five. To be fair, there is no guarantee that a ball in that direction would have got his wicket. But there is a higher chance—that is what the data was telling us, and isn't cricket at the end of the day about taking your chances?