Options for calculating DLS targets?
5 December 2024
In the 2024/25 season, Rounds 9 and 10 of Queensland Premier Cricket were severely impacted by weather. In Round 10, many games were washed out in Week 1, resulting in a week2 “Unscheduled One Day” fixture. For a variety of reasons, PlayHQ fixtures were not able to be altered to a one-day format. As a result, there was no DLS calculation available on the e-scoring platform. What to do?
The ICC DLS Calculator
Where possible DLS targets should be calculated using the official version of the ICC DLS Calculator available on the Queensland Cricket web site Resources page.
Note that the link on this page downloads a “.jar” file which does not readily open on iPad or other mobile devices. The “.jar” file runs on some laptops/PCs where Java has been installed, however, in some cases, intervention is required to run the file and the calculator. A Youtube video entitled “How to open Java files in Windows - Run .JAR Files by Techhut provides instruction on running the ‘jar” file.
The following outlines the steps for use of the calculator using the 2024/25 Round 10 Wynnum Manly v Toombul 1st grade game as an example.
Match was reduced to 36 overs per side. Start time 1:00pm
First innings of Toombul was interrupted for 15 minutes at 29.2 overs; Score 3/209;
Overs reduced to 34 per side. Toombul 6/253.
Wynnum Manly Target calculated at 262 from 34 overs.
Wynnum Manly innings ended for Bad Light at 5:09pm; 16.1 overs bowled; score 6/98
Par Score 173; Toombul won by 75 runs DLS Method
Steps:
Run the Calculator
Click on “other match types”
Drop down to “Custom (user-chosen overs/innings and min. overs/side values)”. OK
Input scheduled overs per side (eg., 50 for grades 1 and 2). OK
input minimum overs for a game (eg., 15 for grades 1 and 2). OK
The calculator opens…
input the No of overs at start of play (ie., 36)
Input Team 1’s interruptions. (ie., 29.2 overs, 3/209, 2 additional vers lost)
Target calculates
Click on Create Par Score tables (ball-by-ball)
input Team 2 interruptions (ie., 16.1 overs, 6/98, “a” for abandon)
DLS Calculators for mobile devices
An alternative to the ICC calculator can be found on the National Cricket Association sites for countries such as Singapore and Norway. These Calculators will work on mobile devices.
Input is similar to the ICC DLS calculator and target calculations are consistent with DLS version 5.0.
Other calculators
NV Play scoring software contains a very robust DLS calculation in line with approved ICC version 5.0.
nxCricket HD displays a DLS par, but the calculation is currently not in line with ICC version 5.0
MyCricket Still Works (sort of)
The previous MyCricket scoring platform also has a DLS calculation embedded. Currently (as at Dec 2024), it appears to be running an old DLS version (possibly v 4.0). This app calculates a par score (simulated over several examples) one run less than that calculated using v 5.0. Although - with the one run adjustment - this may be reasonably reliable now, it is out of date.
Note: The opinions and representations expressed herein are solely that of the writer and do not represent the opinions of any club/association with which the writer is affiliated.