Innovations in the Davis Test Match Database
The database represents a quantum
leap in the published information of Test cricket, especially for matches prior
to 1999. Major aims include bringing knowledge
of older matches up
to modern standards, and presenting the extended match data in the most user-friendly
format possible.
An innovative Test match scorecard
has been designed (well, some years ago) with the aim to convey detailed match
information in a format that is easier to read.
Innings are presented in sequence with each
innings spread across the page with batting, partnerships, and bowling
side-by-side. The Fall of Wicket section, in particular,
is extended, with each partnership
specified and the batsmen involved named.
Each Test is introduced with a
day-by-day table that lays out daily events in a readable format.
The format recognises that most
computer screens are wider than they are tall, by presenting each innings
across the page.
The files also include extra pages
· Covering page for each series, with
new data such as playing hours
· Averages
· Session-by-session scores for all
Tests
· Extra detail on all individual scores
of 50 or more
It is intended to post ball-by-ball
files for about two-thirds of pre-1999 Tests, once a suitable format is
established.
The following is a selected list of
data in the Davis database that is either not available or only partially
available in other sources.
|
Individual Innings |
·
Batting times
for over 99% of all innings ·
Balls faced for
over 88% of all innings ·
Boundary counts
for over 96% of Test innings ·
Batting times
and/or balls faced for all innings over 50 (more than 12,000 innings) ·
Times/BF to 100
for over 99% of all centuries ·
Times/BF to 50
for over 90% of all fifties. ·
Run out credits
to fieldsmen for over 91% of run outs. ·
Batting order
for opening batsmen corrected for many innings. |
|
Bowlers |
·
No balls and
wides for individual bowlers for many hundreds of Tests ·
Six-hits
conceded ·
Full bowler
names ·
Second innings
bowling order corrected for nearly all Tests ·
Overs with 20
or more runs described. |
|
Partnership |
·
All
partnerships given specifically, not just Fall of Wicket. ·
Times and/or balls for over 95% of partnerships
including all century partnerships ·
Batsmen
identified for each Fall of Wicket, with numerous corrections to ‘official’
data. ·
Score of not
out batsmen at FoW for 80% of Tests. |
|
Series |
·
Playing hours
specified ·
Balls per over ·
New ball
availability ·
Match
Performance Summary: a single table giving Test-by-Test performance by every
player at a glance. |
|
Team Innings |
·
Times for over
99% of all team innings ·
Scoring rate
and over rate for nearly all innings. ·
Close match
finishes specified. |
|
Daily play |
·
Number of runs
and wickets for all Test match days. ·
Number of overs
for over 95% of all Test match days ·
Day of week
identified for all Test days. ·
Session-by-session
scores for vast majority of Test days. ·
Attendance
figures for over 3,000 Test days or whole matches. ·
Stumps scores
include some corrections to ‘official’ data |
|
Averages |
·
Individual batsman
scoring rates on a series-by-series basis, where known. ·
Handedness of
players noted, and bowling style ·
Extensive Test
numbering table (number of Home Tests, Away Tests, Head-to-Head etc) |
|
Scorecards |
·
Number of Tests
for each player noted. ·
Last Test for
players noted. ·
12th man named
where known (thousands identified) ·
Batsman hitting
winning run. |
Charles
Davis 2012