Allowing a Batsman to reach their century

[harrisb]

What are your thoughts on the topic?

For example, yesterday Angelo Mathews declined numerous singles in order to allow Dinesh Chandimal to reach his 100.

Is this something that we should just accept, or something to frown upon.

Personally, I don't think you should do it, especially in a One-Day game where you're chasing a total, no matter how far ahead of the required run rate you are.

 

[qpeedore]

I disagree. A century always gives a batsman a lot of confidence, and that confidence carries into future matches. I think once the match situation allows it, it should be done. 94* doesn't look as good as 100*.

There are many occasions in recent memory where a batsman should have gotten to a century, but things didn't go their way. Especially if the captain decides to declare with the batsman only requiring a few runs to get to a landmark.

What I do not approve of is a batsman batting for that century without thinking about the situation.

 

[BKB1991]

Personally, I don't think you should do it, especially in a One-Day game where you're chasing a total, no matter how far ahead of the required run rate you are.

why not? If a player has batted well enough to deserve a century, then whats wrong in it?

I think its something like giving the penalty kick to someone in a football game whos already got two goals.

 

[Robelinda]

Probably seen it 50+ times over the years, dont see what the big deal is.

 

[teamindia]

I see absolutely no problem as long as it does not affect the result. The commentators and English players were talking like idiots yesterday. No way they would have lost the match. Having said that it looks like Dilshan is going to be a bad captain. Irrespective of whether he agrees or not it does no good to the confidence of his players if he is going to openly show anger and faces. Mathews needs to be captain

 

[age of the fall]

I disagree. A century always gives a batsman a lot of confidence, and that confidence carries into future matches. I think once the match situation allows it, it should be done. 94* doesn't look as good as 100*.

There are many occasions in recent memory where a batsman should have gotten to a century, but things didn't go their way. Especially if the captain decides to declare with the batsman only requiring a few runs to get to a landmark.

What I do not approve of is a batsman batting for that century without thinking about the situation.

Exactly how I feel about it. If it is going to have no effect on the result then why not let him get the century. However a win is more important then a century.

 

[sami ullah khan]

That was chandimal's maiden century. I see absolutely nothing wrong with what Mathews did.

 

[Chewie]

It's his second ODI century...

 

[angryangy]

His maiden century was against India.

 

[ferg512]

I dont see anything wrong with it, its not like there was any way they were going to lose that game it wasn't even close.

 

[angryangy]

I see absolutely no problem as long as it does not affect the result. The commentators and English players were talking like idiots yesterday. No way they would have lost the match. Having said that it looks like Dilshan is going to be a bad captain. Irrespective of whether he agrees or not it does no good to the confidence of his players if he is going to openly show anger and faces. Mathews needs to be captain

That's ridiculous. I have never heard anyone say Border was a bad captain and he had a lot more to say when he thought a player was softballing the game. That's one of the most important facets of leadership, to get the team to put in 100%. A captain who sees things he doesn't like and still lets them slide is a far worse captain.

Regardless of whether it was doable or not, it's not ever worth enraging your captain and to say that a player who does should be the captain instead is just bizarre.

 

[Owzat]

If the situation permits it then I see no problem aiding a batsman to his hundred, but I am not so keen when sides delay declarations to allow someone to reach three figures and waste valuable time which could cost them a win.

People talk of 'confidence', the batsmen should know the time constraints even in a Test. The captain should have told them when he will declare, or in ODIs it would be when the target is reached or 50 overs. It's a nicety not a necessity, would a batsman's confidence be destroyed if he didn't get a hundred? Maybe, but if so I'd worry more about their mental strength.

As for batsmen playing for themselves, it's not uncommon and maybe England have a few too many like that. England seem intent on picking their 'best players' regardless if they are suited to ODIs. Trott and Bell seem too one paced, should they not adjust their game or be dropped? Others just seem to think they have to hit everything, seems to be little selectivity of shots. Of course you have to ask if the top order can play a proper ODI innings when 7-11 forms a long tail. Sure Bresnan, Broad and Swann can bat, but I'd say you'd want them at eight or lower so most are batting a place too high minimum.

Team comes before individual, confidence also comes second to team.

 

[Fenil]

I depends on the situation, if your team is in good position, there's nothing wrong in what Mathews did but if your team need runs, then I think a batsman should go for his shots for the team's sake.

 

[6ry4nj]

There's nothing wrong with it in cricketing terms. However, in this day and age when people are betting on every trivial detail of what goes on during a game, such manipulations need to be discouraged.

 

[teamindia]

That's ridiculous. I have never heard anyone say Border was a bad captain and he had a lot more to say when he thought a player was softballing the game. That's one of the most important facets of leadership, to get the team to put in 100%. A captain who sees things he doesn't like and still lets them slide is a far worse captain.

Regardless of whether it was doable or not, it's not ever worth enraging your captain and to say that a player who does should be the captain instead is just bizarre.

There was no way SL would have lost that. He would have very well given a tough chat in private. Showing of emotions in the field just adds more stress. Border is history.