Visualizing bowling performance in cricket using contour plot

Abstract

Batting and bowling are widely considered to be the pivotal skills in cricket. Traditionally, cricket has relied on three distinct metrics to measure bowling performance: the bowling average, the bowler's strike rate, and the economy rate. While each of these measures attempts to quantify the performance of bowlers, their respective scopes are unique. Researchers have made several attempts to integrate these measures into a composite index to rank bowlers. However, the integration process inevitably results in the loss of the individual metrics' distinct natures. This paper endeavours to visualize the three measures in a two-dimensional plane using a contour plot. To better illustrate the proximity amongst bowlers concerning the three distinct measures, a few improvements to the plot are proposed. The proposed graphical extension utilizes the career statistics of bowlers across different eras and demonstrates how the style of bowling has evolved as the scoring patterns in cricket change. Additionally, an R program has been developed to facilitate the drawing of said graphical extension.