CONCEPT OF HEADWAY- START(HANDICAPPING) IN THE GAME OF CRICKET Presented By Raof Ahmad Bhat Research Scholar Department of Physical Education, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

INTRODUCTION The history of cricket dates back to the sixteenth century in England, However, at international level, matches (in the form of test cricket) started around The limited over cricket was introduced in the late 1960’s, however at the international level the first game of such format was played in The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sought to make cricket more popular and many strategies was adopted by ICC with the intention of making cricket a faster and more exciting spectacle that might attract a new audience..

In cricket, the battle between two teams is key, if one team comes to dominate the other, the game will become predictable and less enjoyable to play and watch. Keeping this in view, MCC and ICC hopes to safeguard the traditional balance of the game by introducing a handicapping system (Headway-Start) on trial basis in the game of cricket. The proposed system of handicapping by ICC includes, lower ranked teams will be able to use wider bats, and higher ranked teams will have to defend wickets that are up to 60% taller and to feature a fourth stump. It was also proposed that consideration will be given to claim one- hand-one- bounce catches by weaker sides and capping the innings of world’s top ten (10) batsmen at 50 runs Cntd.

The proposed trail based system sounds somewhat strange. The researcher observes that this is a mathematical problem and it needs a mathematical solution. ICC hopes that the introduction of handicap will make cricket more cerebral, fair and strategic game. The changes will promise a dynamic and competitive new era in cricket, at far less cost and much more quickly than, for example, trying to make west- indies good again, or teaching Pakistan to catch but unfortunately no such method was introduced till today to made cricket fair and equitable for associate and affiliate countries. To equalize the chances of winning, particularly between the weak and strong contestants, the researcher is currently working on “HEADWAY- START IN THE GAME OF CRICKET, THROUGH MATHEMATICAL MODELLING. ” Cntd.

HEADWAY-START (HANDICAPPING) Headway-start also known as Handicapping, in sports and games is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated. Handicapping is used in scoring many games and competitive sports, including Go, Chess, Golf, Bowling, Polo, Basketball and Horse Racing. In positioning, a “headway- start” is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome. Depending upon the situation, a head start may be inherent, obtained by special privilege, earned through one’s accomplishments, or granted mercifully by an opponent. While not guaranteeing success, a head start will increase such chances.

EXAMPLE Australia and Ireland are playing against each other; a general observation is that Australia is favourite i.e. Australia has more chances to win based on their previous accomplishments. Now batting first Australia made 300 for instance. Ireland has to make 301 to win. The objective of the study is how much, 50 runs, 70 runs or 100 runs, Ireland should be kept ahead to equalise the chances of winning.

OBJECTIVE The study under going currently is ideated with the objective of finding out production functions and to develop a mathematical model that can be used by cricketing authorities to give Headway- Start in the game of cricket.

HANDICAPPING IN OTHER SPORTS Handicapping in Horse Racing : Horse Racing is one such sport where handicapping is used. A handicap horse race is a race where each horse is set to carry a weight, allocated according to the horse’s ability, in an attempt to equalise every horse’s chance of winning. Handicapping in Golf: The purpose of the handicap system is to make Golf more enjoyable and to enable golfers of different abilities, men and women alike, to take part in various forms of competitions on an equitable and fair basis.

Polo is one among such sports which uses the handicap system to make it fair and equitable for all contestants. Polo players are rated by their peers on a scale of 2 to 10 goals( The term’ goal’ indicates the players value to the team). The player handicaps range from ‘Novice’ to ‘Perfect’(10 Goal).About two thirds of the players carry a rating of 2 goals or less, a small number of players advance beyond 3 goals. A rating of 2 goals and above usually indicates a professional player in polo handicapping system. Polo

SIGNIFICANCE  The major significance of the study is to equalize the chances of winning between the weak contestants against their strong counterparts of cricketing world. To ensure that every team’s handicap rating gives it a theoretical equal chance of success on its best recent form under its optimum conditions. In recent years, several teams have fallen behind the stronger nations of cricketing world due to combination of factors. In order to re-levelise this, the headway start in cricket would be helpful.

The ICC has recently proposed HEADWAY-START among test playing nations, this will bring a dynamic and competitive new era in cricket at far less cost and much more quickly. To achieve a competitive match with a close finish with a view to providing an exciting sporting spectacle. Owners, trainers and the betting public should feel that their team has a chance of winning for as long as possible in a match To aim for competitive betting in handicap matches, thereby indicating that the betting public believe that teams have a reasonable chance of success. Cntd.

The study will have economical value too, International Cricket Council (ICC) has to spent same amount of money on every match whether it is between India and Australia or India and Ireland. The former because of an exciting sporting spectacle, will generate more revenue as compared to later. Cntd. The study will contribute to make the game of cricket more enjoyable and more exciting spectacle by enabling teams of different abilities to compete on equitable basis.

For stronger teams many more variations mean the game is more refreshing, challenging and interesting. They may be more willing to play and teach the weaker players. Weak competitors can choose their opening strategies according to their own understanding of the game and thus follow a consistent strategy.

CONCLUSION The Headway-start if introduced in the game of cricket has the potential of bringing dynamic and competitive new era in cricket, moreover the associate and affiliate members of the ICC will get a chance to play with full members of cricketing world on an equitable basis. This will prove very helpful for weaker contestants to improve their game and for stronger teams many more variations means the game is more interesting and challenging