Following on from the work I did as part of my Masters, I began a Doctor of Philosophy in mid-2017, focusing on statistical applications in cricket, this time collaborating with the national cricketing board, New Zealand Cricket. As with any sport or profession, we shouldn’t expect a player to perform with some constant ability throughout their entire career. Rather, we are likely to observe variations and fluctuations in ability due to the likes of age, experience, fitness and luck. The initial aim of my PhD has been to develop a means of quantifying a player’s current ability and tracking how it changes over the course of an entire playing career. The models which have been developed have benefit of maintaining an intuitive cricketing interpretation, unlike other ranking metrics, such as the official ICC rankings.

See the applications section for my current Test batting rankings.

In 2017 I completed my Masters degree under the supervision of Dr Brendon Brewer. My research looked to tell a more meaningful story behind a cricket player’s batting average. Using Bayesian statistical techniques, I explored more in-depth methods of quantifying a cricketer’s batting ability than the simple batting average. More specifically, I built statistical models which describe how well a batsman is playing at any given point in their innings, allowing us to quantify the cricketing idea of a batsman ‘getting their eye-in’. The primary focus was on Test match cricket, with wider applications to 4-day First Class cricket. Using these models, I explored the plausibility of popular cricketing superstitions from a statistical point of view, such as the commentator’s favourite, the ‘nervous 90s’.

Click here to read thesis.

ABSTRACT: At a glance, data is more meaningful when presented in graphical form. This project explored innovative methods of automating the display of catch data for large-scale conservation projects. High priority was given to developing methods that allow users to interact with their data, affording them some control over the graphics that are produced. Two interactive applications were developed that allow conservation volunteers to select the data they want to view and how to view it. After a day in the field, volunteers are able to use these applications to see their day’s work summarised on a map or graphic. These graphics highlight the positive impact their efforts are having on the local environment, keeping volunteers motivated and engaged in their work. Various methods of improving the automation of these graphics are outlined, as well as other practical uses of these statistical applications.

Click here to read dissertation.