While watching a cricket match and after when imminent stakes are high
In this article, we will try to explain Net Run Rate in very simple terms. We will also explain how to calculate it and give real-time examples showing how it works.
What is Net Run Rate?
Net Run Rate (NRR) is a figure calculated to separate teams in points in a cricket competition. It is a measure of a team's overall performance and depends on how many runs the team scores and how many runs the team concedes.
You could think of it like a team's average score difference. The faster a team scores or the better they are at stopping the other team from scoring, the greater the NRR. The slower a team scores or lets the other team score, the worse the NRR will be or will be negative.
Reason Why Net Run Rate Matters?
Imagine there are two teams that earn one number of wins and points throughout the group stage of the tournament. The governing body of the tournament will now check their NRR before they are able to say which team advances to the next stage; the team with the higher NRR gets to advance.
This situation has played out in multiple real-life matches. Some examples include:
In IPL 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) were very close in points table. They both made the playoffs; however, MI returned a favourable Net Run Rate.
In ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, both New Zealand and Pakistan were at the same number of points; however, New Zealand advanced as they had the higher NRR.
Illustrating How To Calculate Net Run Rate
The formula for calculating Net Run Rate is simple:
Net Run Rate (NRR) = (Total Runs Scored ÷ Total Overs Faced) – (Total Runs Conceded ÷ Total Overs Bowled)
This means:
- Determine the total number of runs your team has scored for every match.
- Divide that number by the overs your team has batted.
- Finally, deduct from that the runs given from your team divided by the overs your team bowled.
Now let's take this step-by-step on our hypothetical example of a fictional team.
Net Run Rate Calculation
Let’s say Team A has played 3 matches,
Match 1:
Team A scores 180 runs in 20 overs.
Opponent scores 150 runs in 20 overs.
Match 2:
Team A scores 160 runs in 20 overs
Opponent scores 140 runs in 20 overs.
Match 3
Team A scores 150 runs in 20 overs.
Opponent scores 155 runs in 19 overs (Team A loses).
Now let’s calculate total runs and overs,
Total runs scored: 180 + 160 + 150 = 490 runs
Total overs batted: 20 + 20 + 20 = 60 overs
Total runs conceded, 150 + 140 + 155 = 445 runs
Total overs bowled: 20 + 20 + 19 = 59 overs
Now let’s apply the NRR formula:
(490 ÷ 60) – (445 ÷ 59)
= 8.166 - 7.542
= +0.624
So, Team A has Net Run Rate of +0.624
This means team A batted at a faster rate than their opponents batted, which is a good thing.
Can a Team win with a negative Net Run Rate?
Yes, this can happen. Sometimes teams win a number of matches at the beginning of the tournament and then lose their last few matches badly. If teams losing matches still lose more matches than they won, then the team with the worst NRR can still advance; but having a good Net Run Rate factor becomes an important variable when teams have similar amount of points.
What Happens When a Match is Abandoned?
If a match is washed out or has a No Result, then your Net Run Rate would not be affected. Net Run Rate is only calculated based on matches that have completed (or have enough overs), and as such, matches that have been abandoned will not be counted in the NRR calculation.
Is There a Calculator to Work It Out?
Yes, you don’t always have to perform the mental math! You can use a Net Run Rate calculator online.
Just type into Google "Net Run Rate Calculator" and many sites will let you input the runs/overs of both sides and will give you the NRR immediately. The calculators can be a great time saver for fans, coaches, and, of course, the broadcasters who want on the spot answers!
Net Run Rate in Tournaments
In larger tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, Asia Cup, IPL, or PSL, Net Run Rate can be very important after 4 or 5 games have been played. That's when the points table tends to tighten, and one win or one loss can alter the top four positions.
For example, during the T20 World Cup 2022, Australia had a lower NRR than England, meaning that they did not qualify for the Semi-Finals. Both teams had the same number of points, but England's NRR was better.
Conclusion
Knowing How To Calculate Net Run Rate in Cricket is useful to fans and players alike. Not only is it not simply winning or losing, but it is also the way a team wins or loses.
A team might win three games and lose two games. However, if they win big and lose small, therefore their Net Run Rate can actually give them the edge. In contrast, if a team wins just and loses badly, their NRR can be detrimental.
Next time you look at the points table, look at the total points, but instead of concentrating only on the total points, look at the Net Run Rate - it might just show you the more likely team to qualify.
If you are ever unsure, just hop online and pull up a Net Run Rate Calculator and allow it to do the calculations for you.
