DLS Method Co-Inventor Frank Duckworth Passes Away At 84

DLS method was first used in 1996-97 (x.com)DLS method was first used in 1996-97 (x.com)

In a sad piece of news for the cricketing fraternity, Frank Duckworth, co-inventor of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, passed away on June 21 at the age of 84.

A renowned English statistician, Frank developed the Duckworth-Lewis method alongside Tony Lewis in 1997. This method became a game-changer in cricket, addressing the long-standing challenge of setting fair targets in rain-affected matches. The International Cricket Council (ICC) adopted it as the standard for revised targets in 2001.

The Duckworth-Lewis system calculates a 'run-scoring resource' based on the number of overs remaining and wickets lost, first applied during the Zimbabwe vs. England match in Harare on January 1, 1997. 

Its application became the norm for adjusting targets in interrupted games. In 2014, Australian statistician Steven Stern refined the method, resulting in the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, which preserved the original creators' vision while enhancing its precision for modern cricket.

This innovation replaced the heavily criticised rain rule that had been in use, most notoriously during the 1992 ODI World Cup semifinal between South Africa and England in Sydney. A sudden rain delay led to a scenario where South Africa required an unachievable 22 runs from one ball, underscoring the necessity for a more equitable solution. 

Duckworth and Lewis’s breakthrough received widespread recognition, not only within cricket circles but also from the broader community. In June 2010, both were honoured with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their contributions to cricket and mathematics, reflecting the profound impact of their work.