Cricketers' tales

Cricket captains have to make calculations all the time. 'How many runs do we need?' 'How should I schedule my bowlers in a one-day match so they all bowl ten overs?' 'When should I declare?' 'What is a good fourth innings target to set?' 'What is a good run rate on this pitch?' 'How should we pace a run chase?' We asked some current and past players for their own tricks of the trade and rules of thumb. And we also asked if they had ever made any calculating blunders!

Well, we asked them but, as it was the height of the season, they were all too busy at the crease, in the nets or on the field.

Replies awaited – watch this space.