The Alternative Vote

To the crease

The long enfranchised cricketers of the UK are about to referendummed on a proposed change to the scoring system.  In an effort to make the outcome of elections more proportionate to the runs scored, cricketers are being asked if they consider that future Parliamentary elections should be governed by the Duckworth Lewis method. 

Depending on which sports pages you read, this is either a disastrous distraction which will end cricket as we know it destroying centuries of practice and tradition, or a radical modernisation to bring it bang up to date and restore its credibility.  An alternative alternative view is that it is nothing more than a bit of inconsequential tinkering.

The DL method to be used is simple to understand for those with advanced degrees in computer science and statistics and who travel well prepared with their anorak in their bag.  For those without such a background, or overgarments, the system can appear more challenging.  Here is Fantasy Bob's easy to understand 5 point guide.

• No batsman can be elected unless he or she has faced 50% of the balls bowled
• Balls faced by other batters will be deemed by the scorers at the end of the innings to have been faced by the batter with the most runs 
• No balls and wides will not count and will be shown as spoiled balls
• Bowl outs and super overs may be required to reallocate balls bowled between batters
• If rain stops voting, in line with usual DL methods the target of 50% is reduced in proportion. 

So it's all very easy.  Supporters of the change say that it will ensure that the system does not favour the big hitters but allows a fair representation of nurdlers to take their place on the Commons honours board. Cricket lovers can rest easy as they contemplate how to vote for, had the method applied previously, it would not have altered the result of any recent Test match.

Cricketers are advised to use their balls wisely.