DUNEDIN, Feb 25: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has called for a review of the Duckworth/Lewis system on the eve of his side’s one-day series decider with England in Dunedin.
Fleming believes the recent introduction of one bouncer per over in one-day cricket has made it harder to score runs, and that the Duckworth/Lewis system should reflect that change.
“Scores on the whole are lower and that must be taken into account,” he said.
“I would like to see the system reviewed every now and then. When the game evolves every rule around it evolves so we should keep looking at it.
“The one-day game asks for a more complete batsman, and the days when you could stride forward and swing from the hip have gone.”
Fleming has seen his side squander a 2-0 advantage against an England side gaining a reputation for comebacks following their 3-3 draw in India after going 3-1 down.
The Duckworth/Lewis system was invented by two statisticians, Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis in an attempt to solve the perennial problem of creating a fair target for the side batting second in a limited-overs match shortened by the weather.—AFP