Winter League
The number of bowlers each team is using can tell a tale about their intentions for bowling in the Winter League. It is known that some teams are keen for as many bowlers as possible to experience the new sensation that is winter bowling whilst others are keen to make an impact on the league table. Nothing wrong with either approach, it is just interesting to monitor who is doing what and what difference does it make.
We will be monitoring these numbers during the course of the season but first we take a look back at last season. Below is a table showing the number of bowlers each team used and where they finished in their respective divisions when the season was halted. No judgement, draw your own conclusions but it is just interesting to see the different approaches.
It is also interesting to note that the top three teams in the table as regards number of bowlers used are the three teams that are hosting matches in the 2021-22 season. So what does that tell us? It is also interesting to record, when factoring in the part-season numbers from the Huddersfield Recreation B and Milnsbridge B teams that 112 different bowlers in total were used by their teams last season. More updates during the course of the season on the 2021-22 team numbers.
It is tempting to assume that the teams using the fewest bowlers finished the highest but last season the top 4 teams used an average of 6 bowlers and the bottom 4 used an average of 7 bowlers ( yes , I acknowledge that the team in fourth position are in both the top 4 and bottom 4 )
So, it’s not as clear cut as I expected. Looking at this season so far, it looks as though more teams are, generally speaking, using the same 4 bowlers and so it will be interesting if these teams are setting out to win their division.
Philip of Lindley