Following on from our batting archetypes (which we suggest you check out first, the methodology is laid out in more detail over there), it's time to take a look at the bowlers. Once again we'll be using k-means to cluster our bowlers, and once again we are using all ODI games between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020 as our sample.
The driving variables of our cluster analysis are the two ability coefficients computed by our player ratings model, which for bowlers represent:
a) Their ability to prevent runs and
b) Their ability to take wickets
So, in the chart below, the further to the right a player is, the better he is at taking wickets, and the further up a player is, the better he is at preventing runs.
As was the case with the batsmen, this chart also overlays our six archetypes as determined by our k-means analysis, with more detail further down!
The Champions
What are they?
This lot are the cream of the crop when it comes to one day bowling. Not only are they consistent threat to the wickets of their opponents, but they also rarely give anything away. Such a devastating combination means you cannot afford to leave them out of your side.
Give me some examples
Mohammad Amir (Pak), Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Pat Cummins (Aus), Chris Woakes (Eng)
What are the stats?
Average: 24.5 (Ranked 1st)
Strike Rate: 28.6 (2nd)
Economy: 5.1 (2nd)
The Contributors
What are they?
When taken at face value, The Contributors, seem like a fairly underwhelming set of bowlers, given their overall figures. They do, however, play a crucial role for their teams - often playing as all-rounders, they are able to contribute a significant number of overs to their team with minimal fuss, even if they only manage a modest wicket return.
Give me some examples
Ben Stokes (Eng), Moeen Ali (Eng), Kemar Roach (WI), Shakib Al Hasan (Ban), Ravindra Jadeja (Ind)
What are the stats?
Average: 39.1 (5th)
Strike Rate: 44.2 (5th)
Economy: 5.3 (3rd)
The Fodder
What are they?
One of two groups you probably don't want to be in. These guys tend to be targeted by batsmen, and have a tendency to leak large amount of runs. On the flipside, however, they don't do too badly when it comes to taking wickets, perhaps a result of the aggressive style batsmen tend to take against them
Give me some examples
Mustafizur Rahman (Ban), Mashrafe Mortaza (Ban), Khawar Ali (Oman), Mark Adair (Ire)
What are the stats?
Average: 35.0 (4th)
Strike Rate: 35.5 (3rd)
Economy: 5.9 (6th)
The Misers
What are they?
This group is arguably the most crucial when it comes to assembling an ODI bowling attack. They are defined by their ability to bowl tight spells that heavily restrict opposition run-scoring. Whilst they aren't the most prolific wicket takers themselves, the pressure they build can enable their colleagues at the other end to capitalise.
Give me some examples
Colin de Grandomme (NZ), Jasprit Bumrah (Ind), Trent Boult (NZ), Kagiso Rabada (SA), Jofra Archer (Eng), Imran Tahir (SA)
What are the stats?
Average: 31.7 (3rd)
Strike Rate: 42.5 (4th)
Economy: 4.5 (1st)
The Strike Bowlers
What are they?
The most aggressive group in our analysis, these are the guys you turn to when you need wickets. They perhaps lack the control that would make them a 'Champion', with a tendency to leak runs that makes them more suited to short spells, but there's no doubt you'd want at least one of these in your attack.
Give me some examples
Mitchell Starc (Aus), Lungi Ngidi (SA), Mohammed Shami (Ind), Chris Morris (SA), Shadab Khan (Pak)
What are the stats?
Average: 27.9 (Ranked 2nd)
Strike Rate: 28.6 (1st)
Economy: 5.8 (5th)
The Strugglers
What are they?
The other group you'd hope to avoid, these guys have offered very little to their teams over the last year. They simply lack any threat - assuming a 10-over spell, they'd average a game and a half just to pick up a single wicket. Unlike The Fodder, however, they can be decent at preventing runs, and so do offer some value in certain situations.
Give me some examples
Rashid Khan (Afg), Hasan Ali (Pak), Sikandar Raza (Zim)
What are the stats?
Average: 80.3 (6th)
Strike Rate: 87.5 (6th)
Economy: 5.5 (4th)
And with that we have our six ODI bowling archetypes, as computed by a k-means clustering analysis.
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Thanks for reading!
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