Clan-Members » e possession of third place and clinch a spo

On July 5, 2015, ICCs new ODI rules kicked in. The changes were largely to brought in to offer some succor to the bowlers, who, in the words of Dave Richardson, the ICC chief executive, had been on a hiding to nothing with the earlier rules, which allowed only four fielders outside the circle in the last ten, and also had a batting Powerplay which was usually taken between the 36th and the 40th. Under the new rules, the batting Powerplay was done away with, while an extra fielder was allowed outside the circle in the last ten. Also, there was no compulsion to have two catching fielders within the first ten.Since those rules kicked in, 113 ODIs have been played, which is a reasonable number to check whether those new rules have had the desired effect on the scoring rates and helped bowlers a little bit. The most recent evidence would suggest not, given that England made the highest ODI total a couple of days back at Trent Bridge against Pakistan, but a longer term view suggests little difference in the overall numbers.In its latest avatar, the average ODI has witnessed a run rate of 5.33, which is almost exactly the same as the rate when the earlier rules were in force between October 30, 2012 and July 4, 2015. The scoring rate increased dramatically in the first six months of 2015, rising to 5.67 from 5.29 in 2014. Those six months included the 2015 World Cup, where the scoring rate was 5.65, and the New Zealand tour to England, where the rate across five matches was an astronomical 7.15. Between October 30, 2012 and December 2014, the overall run rate was only 5.25. When splitting the numbers by teams batting first and second, the distribution is very even over the last 14 months. The teams batting first and chasing have won exactly 54 games each, while the run rates arent very different either. The numbers are quite similar to those between January 2014 and July 4, 2015. The bigger difference, as expected, has been in the last 15 overs. With teams usually opting for the batting Powerplay between the 36th and the 40th, and only four fielders allowed outside the circle in the last ten, the last 15 overs had earlier given the batting teams the licence to hit out freely, knowing that there was minimal risk of being caught at the boundary. However, with the batting Powerplay being scrapped and an extra fielder allowed on the boundary in the last ten, the run rates and the boundary-hitting frequency has dropped significantly.Since July 2015, the run rate for teams batting first in the last 15 overs has dropped to 6.95 from 7.81 in the earlier period. The balls per boundary has gone up from 6.7 to 8.7, a change of nearly 30%. With more fielders on the boundary, batsmen have had a few more opportunities to take twos, but overall the run rates and boundaries have reduced in the slog overs and bowlers have had more opportunities to have some control on the game.The difference in the second innings isnt so significant, though. With a specific target to chase, teams werent so aggressive in the last 15 even when the field restrictions were in place. The earlier fielding restrictions were tough on bowlers when opposition teams had wickets in hand. When teams batting first had gone into the last ten overs with five or more wickets in hand, they scored at 9.62 per over and averaged 56.81 runs per dismissal. In the last 14 months, those numbers have dropped to 8.78 and 43.58. In the first 35, the rate has gone up marginally - from 4.72 to 4.83 - but it is in the last 15 that bowling captains will feel they have more protection and a better chance to somewhat control proceedings, thanks to the extra fielder available in the outfield. When England go the way they did at Trent Bridge, though, even that extra fielder makes absolutely no difference.****Englands resurgence in ODIs over the last year has been written about before in much detail, but they have been so good recently that it deserves another mention. The 444 at Trent Bridge further underscores their transformation from the team that was such a dismal failure in the 2015 World Cup. Since that tournament, they have scored 350 or more six times in 28 innings (including two washouts), and have six other scores between 300 and 349. In 644 previous ODIs, they only had only two scores in excess of 350.A comparison between their numbers over the last year, and those between January 2014 and March 2015, shows outstanding improvements in all aspects, but especially in terms of power-hitting. In the period between January 2014 and March 2015, England scored a boundary (four or a six) every 12 balls and scored 40% of their runs in boundaries. They averaged 75 balls per six, which works out to four per 50 overs.Since the World Cup debacle, the batting line-up has transformed, and so has the boundary-hitting ability. Their balls per boundary has dropped to eight, percentage of runs in boundaries has risen to 49, and the balls per six has dropped to 46. All of those factors have contributed towards a run rate of 6.39, and a win-loss of 16-9, from a miserable 13-23 in the earlier period. With the batting firepower that they command at the moment, they would have to be favourites for the Champions Trophy that they will be hosting next year.* Percentage of total runs in boundaries^ Balls per boundary (4 or 6) Cheap Shoes Online Australia . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Cheap Shoes Websites . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. http://www.wholesalesneakersaustralia.com/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Wholesale Sneakers Online . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Cheap Sneakers Online Australia . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. AKRON, Ohio -- Only four players have finished in the top 30 at each of the PGA Tours five biggest tournaments so far this calendar year.One of them is Dustin Johnson, the recently crowned U.S. Open champion, who is playing arguably the most consistent golf of any elite player in the game. Another is Louis Oosthuizen, the past Open Championship winner, who tends to play his best golf at the most opportune times. Then theres Jason Day, the worlds No. 1-ranked golfer, who seemingly plays his best golf all the time.The fourth member of this quartet? Well, his image might not spring to mind right away when considering the best players at the best tournaments, but Scott Piercy is starting to make that kind of name for himself.For some reason, I thought I should be there now, Piercy said in trying to explain these performances. I always feel like I should be there. Its a matter of doing it.So far, he has been doing it.There was a T-17 finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship; a T-18 at the WGC-Dell Match Play; a T-29 at the Masters; a T-23 at the Players Championship; and the best result of his career at a big-time tourney, a share of second place at the U.S. Open two weeks ago.All of which should make Piercys position entering the final round of this weeks WGC-Bridgestone Invitational all-too-familiar territory.Following rounds of 69-69-67, Piercy is tied for the lead with Day, searching for a breakthrough victory that would serve as the biggest of his lengthy PGA Tour career.His first win came at the Reno-Tahoe Open -- opposite this weeks Bridgestone event -- five years ago. He tacked on a Canadian Open title the next year and a win at the Barbasol Championship last year -- another opposite-field tourney.A triumph here at Firestone Country Club on Sunday, though, would clearly trump the others, as far as status.After I won in Canada, he explained, I kind of felt like the next step was to win a WGC or a major, then I got hurt (with an elbow injury) after that, so I kind of regressed. Then I came back and I won an opposite field. So hopefully the next step is kind of getting back. I feel like a better player now than I was when I got hurt. Any time you can win a WGC event, I think it takes things to a new level.He has alreaddy started to reach that level.dddddddddddd Piercy was ranked 114th in the world at this time last year, but is currently 43rd -- and will take another major leap with another strong finish.If theres some irony to his consistent play at the biggest events this season, its that he has yet to seriously contend anywhere, other than that U.S. Open runner-up. He finished 3 strokes behind Johnson that week, leaving Oakmont with more positive vibes than negative ones.I was really excited about the finish, and the fact that the second major in a row Ive been in the top five going into the weekend and held up under the pressure of it, he said. Overall, it was all good. We can always make things a little bit better it seems like, but overall I was really excited.That would offer some confidence in being paired with the games top-ranked player in the final round.Much of that stems from last years BMW Championship, when Piercy was also paired with Day in the final round. Although his playing partner ran away with the title that day, Piercy birdied his final four holes to finish in sole possession of third place and clinch a spot in the Tour Championship.Has really good length off the tee; hes a good ball striker; and then when he gets hot on the putting green, thats when he wins tournaments, Day said in his scouting report. Hes not scared to shoot a low one. Hes not scared to go up against the best and play well. I cant worry about him. Ive got to worry about myself and try to hit fairways and greens tomorrow, so thats the biggest thing for me is to really find something there and hopefully be there by the end of the day.Day might not be worried about Piercy, but Piercy wont be worried about Day, either. Hes experienced enough in these situations, playing alongside world-class players, that he knows he belongs.Ive won three times, Piercy said. I know I can do it. Its just doing it on a consistent basis like a Jordan [Spieth] or a Jason and those guys. Can I do it? Yeah. Its just, consistently, can I do it more often?During Sundays final round, he might start finding out the answer to his own question. ' ' '