Crickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket

by Stefan Szymanski, Tim Wigmore

One of the bestselling authors of Soccernomics, Stefan Szymanski, teams up with the award-winning cricket writer Tim Wigmore (Cricket 2.0) and together they have turned their attention to cricket: the result is an enlightening, surprising and enjoyable read. Crickonomics answers those questions you have about the sport, and many more that you haven't: you'll be delighted to know all the answers.

Will Test cricket die? Why is the Indian Premier League the most important competition in cricket? Why is cricket plagued by match fixing - is the problem getting better or worse? Will India's cricketing wealth make it the dominant cricket nation in the future, and can the world of cricket expand beyond its traditional strongholds? These are the questions many fans ask. This book answers them and many more besides.

Cricket is an old and venerable game that has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. Many of these changes can be traced back to two sources: money and data. The rise of Indian cricket, and especially the Indian Premier League, has brought billions of dollars into a sport that was once the poor cousin of professional team sports. Cricket is also now part of the data revolution that has affected all sports. Just as Soccernomics did for football, this book will take a rational look at the game of cricket, past and present, and combine the expertise of an award winning cricket journalist with a leading sports economist, to provide startling insight and clear-headed analysis.

Crickonomics will take readers on a journey across the world of cricket, covering a rich and eclectic range of topics - answering questions that readers always had, and opening their eyes to new issues.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2022

About the author

Professor of Sport Management at the University of Michigan. I am an economist whose research is focused on the business and economics of sports, as well as their culture and history. I write books to reach a wider audience than is feasible through the peer-reviewed academic papers that have been the mainstay of my career. I also write occasionally for the Soccernomics blog and tweet from time to time from @ssz.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Sid Nuncius · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved cricket all my life and I like a stat (including a bonkers Andy Zaltzman stat) so I expected to love Crickonomics. It is certainly packed with stats and deductions from them, but to be honest I found it rather hard going.

Crickonomics is firmly based on data. As an example, the first section deals with the influence of class in English cricket and why there tend to be more Southern, privately educated batters, but a predominance of Northern, state educated bowlers. It’s an interesting question (as are many of the questions in the book) and the authors produce lots of data to answer it: analyses to check whether it is true and not just a stereotype (it is true) and several tables of data analysing all sorts of things to do with the issue. There is also a decent discussion of the reasons for it, including views from well-informed people in the game. It’s generally well written, too, and other currently important issues get a similar, thoroughly researched, thoughtful treatment, but for me the balance doesn’t quite work, and I found myself rather slogging through data-heavy accounts and trying to remember that this isn’t just a dry statistical exercise, but an important, detailed look at a game I love. I wasn’t always able to remember that, which meant I found the book something of a slog, I’m afraid.

To be fair, this isn’t really a book to be read straight through; taking a section at a time with breaks would probably improve the experience, and it will be of huge interest and help to those analysing the game and proposing to make changes. However, to this general reader and average cricket fan it was less readable and enjoyable than I had hoped.

(My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC via NetGalley.)

[Jack Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

HANG ON A SECOND - THIS ISNT FREAKONOMICS!

[abin alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read with many insights into the game I grew up with. The narrative does not bore you with the Economics, as there is a good bit of story-telling and history mixed in. Most of the conclusions would already be known to an ardent cricket follower, but still it is nice to see some numbers along with it which cements the analysis.

Except for few chapters, the narration is focused on English cricket, which makes sense as it is the home of cricket. The recent emergence of India as a cricketing super-power is also addressed, although as an Indian, I would have appreciated a more deeper analysis of the politics that enabled India to reach this stage.

There were few surprises for me in the book, including the stories of Argentina and USA in Cricket. Hope that I could find more stuff that delves in these stories, or that the writers would incorporate them in the later editions.

[Sarthak Dev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute gem. So much history, so much context, many myths debunked, and even more learnings. This book actually takes apart the anatomy of modern cricket to its bones. Must read for fans of the game who want to know why certain things - like BCCI's influence within ICC - work the way they do, and how the sport got there.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and provided me with the sort of escapism which fiction normally does (even if I did read this one over many months!).

Some really fascinating theories, anecdotes and analysis in there. Without doubt the most intriguing chapter was the one on New Zealand cricket; a country which punches above its weight with minimal resources. However, its underdog status wasn't the most interesting bit. For me, this was the reference to how NZ focus on using their domestic system to prioritise the development of its international side rather than dwelling on context-devoid tournaments which seem to plague the rest of the cricketing calendar. Sorry to make it political, but I couldn't help but the ECB could channel some of these ideals? The english game is so big that it will never pursue the de-growth-esque nature of NZ, however, in a game which has found to be racist, misogynistic and elitist, can we start to use other metrics of success that aren't viewers and TV deals? Sport will never be a complete departure from capitalism but it's meant to be an escape from the real world, I couldn't help but think a system which actually prioritises those who play the game and uses its resources efficiently and equitable would be best (like NZ!), rather than notions of 'growing the game' which, personally, I believe are smokescreens for line people's pockets!

Rant over. Some other amazing chapters in there too. The NZ one was definitely the one which inspired the most thinking...

Great Christmas present, thanks Dad!

[Brendan Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part history, part data analysis, part reflection on the sport’s future, Crickonomics is exactly what the title suggests – a diagnosis of the state of professional cricket through the lens of data analysis economics.

Tim Wigmore previously co-wrote the excellent Cricket 2.0 (recently shortlisted for best sports book of the 21st Century so far) which was a brilliant and comprehensive look at the global spread of T20 cricket. Stefan Szymanski, an economics professor, may be best known to many for co-writing the excellent Soccernomics (or Why England Lose). Together, they are an ideal pair to take a data fueled look at cricket’s past, present and future.

Crickonomics examines a wide variety of assumptions and unanswered questions about the sport to see what light can be shed and what myths can be shattered. The book also looks to explain the modern evolution of the game, both on and off the oval, with the benefit of data powered hindsight.

The level of research is impressive with a vast array of writers and studies quoted (including very interesting work by Duncan Stone on the social history of cricket in England which is covered in his recent book Different Class).

The book’s strength is the breath of issues covered, moving swiftly between broad topics such as whether private school offers players a major advantage in making a professional career or whether bowlers are undervalued by teams and why. Different questions will be of differing levels of interest to readers but the book never falls into the trap of overburdening readers with too much raw data. It’s also great to see plenty of focus on the rise of women’s cricket and especially the opportunity it presents for new countries to compete with the established powers.

My main takeaway from the book, much like from Soccernomics, is that inevitably everything boils down to money. More money helps players develop as youngsters, decisions on the future of the game will be shaped by what draws eyeballs and wallets, and a small amount of money could (but probably won’t) globalize the game (for both men and women) if targeted correctly.

Highly recommended for any cricket fans.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who loves cricket will love this book. They try to do for cricket what Moneyball did for baseball. Not as good or as impactful as Moneyball but still a great read. They bring in some fantastic statistics but it is also a history lesson as well as a look to how they think the future could unfold. An overall good analysis of cricket.

[Aakash Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A well-written book for cricket nerds that explores a wide variety of issues and opportunities facing the modern game. Not 5* only because at times I felt it the arguments lacked a little tactical clarity - but overall still highly recommended.

[Ashwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, with history, moving anecdotes and development of players.

[Wesley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good insight to the history and inner workings of cricket. Really enjoyed it!

[Martin Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cricket and data. Does what it says on the tin.

[Liam McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

just need to include a chapter on why men shadow bat/ball in public (it’s because you never know when a recruiter is watching)

[Gabriel Glencross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real slog to begin with and then accelerated, like any good ODI innings

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The is both an enjoyable and fascinating read but probably only for fans of cricket. That said, it does draw on many lessons from other sports and may well be of interest to those with a wider interest in sports development. The authors are a cricket journalist and a professor of sports management. They employ close analysis and well developed argument to explore many questions about the sport - why do more England batsman come from the south of England and a private education while most bowlers come from more humble origins in the north, to the intriguingly entitled final chapter which explores 'How Afghanistan is bringing cricket to Germany'. It looks at the growth of the women' game and interestingly how India in particular is supporting the development of the junior cricket nations in Asia, while in comparatively, little has been done to support growth in among European nations. I particularly enjoyed some of the comparisons with predominently American sports e.g. basketball and baseball. There is also plenty of insightful discussion of the Ashes, T20 and much more.
Shrewd, thoughtful and insightful - a pleasure to read.

[S Ravishankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting book that describes various facets of how the International game works on the field of play, behind the scenes, how decisions are made, how the game and its rules have evolved, how statistics and data are becoming much more integrated in captaincy, coaching and managing international teams.

As an ardent fanatic of Test Cricket I found so much that I was not aware of. Kudos to the authors !!

[Patrick Tarbox · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This is a weird middle ground of cricket fan and data nerd book, but if you fill both (like I do), you’ll really enjoy the questions asked and the process they came to their hypothesis.

[Firoze Cassim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that covers many aspects of cricket - history, statistics, analysis, country stories and more. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter about Afghanis bringing cricket to Germany. I am glad I read this book before the World Cup next month. I have learnt a lot !

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read and flowed nicely, but didn't have the level of novel insight I was expecting. It had its value and it covered a range of subjects, but at times these felt quite distinct from each other.

This didn't have the granular detail of Hitting Against The Spin of where to pitch the ball, and took a broader view of the sport in general. Sports coverage can be lost in the day to day events so this did fill a gap in the market, and it was never a chore. There was also a degree of subjectivity which meant I disagreed with some of the points made, and it was better when it stuck to the facts.

For example, I found the investigation into discrimination against black players in South Africa interesting (average performance declined for black players when the quota levels were increased) but the more narrative led chapter on the rise of smaller Asian nations was another that grabbed my attention. Even on the former though, it seemed obvious to link the social dynamics of batting vs bowling to the earlier chapter on private schooling in England, whereas this chapter was written as a standalone. Some of the references to women's sport were also a bit casual (there was a political element to the Dick Kerr Ladies) but most of the history was well researched, and referenced rather than retold in long digressions.

The chapter on weather was duller to me, and there were a couple of suggestions that were missing an obvious riposte. For example, it was suggested that the Hundred competition might increase participation in English cities as franchises were based on large city settlements rather than historic counties. But The North, Wales, The South and Trent make up four of the teams, not cities, and of the three cities one already had a T20 team when Warwickshire became Birmingham. Which youngster is going to identify with the river Trent who would be put off by Nottinghamshire? When looking at the top batting and bowling performances in the IPL, more batters featured in more than one year than bowlers - perhaps that is an indication that batters have less variation in performance which is why the top ones are valued more - their past performance might be a greater predictor of future performance while a cheap bowler has an outstanding tournament. I haven't done a regression analysis myself to verify this, but it was worth exploring.

In general, the chapters based in other countries intrigued me more as I knew less about them, while the stories were told well. Perhaps unfairly, I was anticipating more counterintuitave insights than were demonstrated in the book, and each chapter was distinct making it feel like a collection of features rather than part of an overall narrative of the game. It was good, but lacking something, sometimes explicitly where the authors posed a question rather than answering it.

[Peter K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the author's similar work on the subject of football I was optimistic about this similar work on cricket and I did indeed enjoy this detailed and thoughtful book.

Rather than there being one overarching theme this book works through six parts and twenty chapters featuring different elements of the game, some technical such as how T20 did and did not change the way the game is played and others relating to the development of the game.

This was interesting throughout, I am a big fan of the sport and I found all of the chapters interesting and illuminating. I found the one on the rise and success of New Zealand cricket most interesting as well as the explanation of how the determining of results of games affected by weather has developed.

The last chapter detailing how refugees from Afghanistan have helped to drive and develop the game in Germany and equally how the game helps people in a strange country make connections and build relationships was both interesting and moving

This is a good mixture of statistics and more detailed narrative and was an enjoyable read

[Andrew Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cricket fans like their statistics, but often it doesn't get much deeper than averages and strike rates. But this excellent book applies the kind of deep statistical analysis previously used in Soccernomics to the truly beautiful game, to explore a whole range of issues around race, class and gender. It considers the past, present and future of the game, and looks at administrators and fans, and even the weather, as well as players. If that sounds a bit too much like academia don't be put off - the prose is clear and there are interviews and anecdotes to sugar the pill. And you will emerge with some preconceptions challenged and others much more solidly evidenced.

[Peter Thew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting survey of the way in which cricket has evolved and the statistical basis behind some of these changes. Some of the statistical sections got a bit too much for me, although others will be fascinated by them. It's particularly good explaining the rise of cricket in Asia in the 21st century and the strategic decisions that have propelled that - compared to the moribund development in Europe, Africa and the Americas in the same period. And a final chapter on the rise of cricket in Germany driven by Afghan refugees is a real eye-opener.

[Laurence Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, if you thought watching cricket was boring, wait till you read this! I've watched cricket for 50 years and played it for 30 so I've certainly got an interest in the subject, but this book really didn't fire it. I have absolutely no objection to using stats to prove points - Malcolm Gladwell is my hero - but the points need to be dynamic and fascinating. Fair play to the author for explaining the Duckworth-Lewis (and now Stern) Method, but it's not likely to get the punters queuing outside Lords anytime soon.

[Joe Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read and I enjoyed the variety of topics covered. Gave me a much better understanding of the history and current state of cricket, especially the things which don't get as much attention such as the finances of the smaller nations. Well-researched and scientific without being tedious to read. I appreciate that there is no particular agenda to each of the 'articles' and there isn't a forced attempt to weave a broader narrative, with the balance between reporting journalism and data-analytics struck quite well throughout the book.

[Loudon McAndrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a keen cricket fan and played in former days but this book gave me a complete new slant on how the game is changing ( for the worse, I m afraid as money is taking over). If Test Matches and the County Championship cease to be played, I will no longer enjoy the sport as the Hundred and T20 competitions now merely consist of mercenaries chasing big money.
The authors have put a great deal of time in doing all the research required to produce the book and are to be complimented.
Real cricket fans are shuddering at the way the game is developing.

[James May_quinlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In line with other 'nomics' books, this was a fantastic and very interesting book.
I think that it is not quite as well developed in some chapter, for example the how well do teams play above or below their average temperatures. But I still think that was an interesting and novel theme to explore.

I particularly enjoyed the focus on IPL team building as that seems to fit with the 'nomics' factor well.

All around an interesting book that cricket lovers will enjoy.

[Luke Barrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 - Stat-heavy and not always as engaging as it could be. I think I'd have enjoyed a novel on cricket's oddities more than I enjoyed this - in my opinion in places the stats are a little forced. However I particularly enjoyed the discussion on the future of Tests, the importance of the fans, the political manoeuvring of the Asian Test nations, the rise of women's cricket and the impact of immigration.

[Jack Oatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stats, story and occasionally amusing. It lacks the wit of X and Y but makes up for it in depth of research and love of cricket. This is a reader’s paradise for the average espn cricinfo punter. Missing out on 5 as I’m not sure i love the style or have any profound takeaways. But I suppose that’s why economics is great- it mostly puts theory and numbers to prove hunches you have (with a minority of plot twists and jaws drops).

[JasonDeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often read about sports because I like this topic. Everything is written in a simpler language here than about football. But the main idea is clear. Big sports always mean big money. This is also understood by fans who make sports predictions. But the modern trend is moving towards a more gaming sector - https://1xbetbdcasino.com/ I think that the demand for purely sports forecasts will decrease over time.

[Charlie Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent coming together of two passions, cricket and statistical analysis. Provides a fascinating explanation about how cricket works in the current age, why it got to the way it is, and how the sport might progress over the next 20 years, both with respect to the IPL and the expansion of the game to new regions of the globe.

[Brian Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read about cricket . A lot of analysis , which at times got tedious but some very interesting chapters about league cricket vs county cricket , 1 day cricket and the change in approach to batting , why do public schools produce more batters than bowlers , the impact of IPL etc etc. Made me think about certain aspects of the game and its future.