How do the 'nervous nineties' really impact batters in cricket?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-06-29 04:00

Australia; VIC

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While cricket fans and players alike know the 'nervous nineties' stress as a batter approaches a century - little scientific research has been done on how players handle the pressure. Australian researchers have compiled ball-by-ball data from over 700 test matches since 2004 to look for patterns in batting behaviour as players approach that 100-run milestone. Assessing run rate, likelihood of hitting a boundary and likelihood of being dismissed, the researchers say batters were likely to increase scoring in the 90s and score more boundaries before dropping off once they hit their century. They say the chances of a batter being dismissed was unaffected during the nineties, suggesting most batters are able to handle the psychological pressure.