The details of how players are performing are available on the Data Centre, which thanks to the sponsorship from Principal Logistics Technologies has now more information and reports than ever before. Notwithstanding this a number of regular visitors to the website have said that they miss the regular updates on how individual players are doing and the commentary and explanation that accompany the statistics. As this is the mid-point of the season it seems appropriate therefore to provide some more details on the latest figures.
But first some background. The Senior averages, as they have always been called, date back to the start of the Leinster Senior League in 1919. They include the league itself, the Leinster Senior Cup and the various 45/50 over competitions that took place from 1974 - 2009. These competitions were generally known by the name of their sponsors e.g. Wiggins Teape League.
Since 1993 there has been some manner of promotion and relegation and in 2010 the current format of Open Competitions Division 1 and Division 2 was adopted. Since 1993 the top two leagues have been included in the Senior Averages - allowing some players on the 2nd XIs of clubs to be counted in the averages.
There are also a number of performance awards given for players in the Division 1 and 2 [and also for D3 which I will deal with separately].
Over the years the qualifying threshold for inclusion in the end year tables has varied. Initially a player needed 400 runs with an average of 20 or better. In more recent times, with higher scores, the threshold has been moved up to 500 runs. The number of wickets required has also changed, reflecting the advent of overs cricket and the limited number of overs for bowlers. The number of wickets required for the averages is now 25 [although a different threshold may be set by the OCC for the bowling awards depending on performances each year]. The threshold for wicket-keepers is 20 victims and for out-field catches there is no specific threshold and something around the top ten players are included. Finally, the all-rounder figures are points based and take into account runs and wickets or runs and wicket keeper dismissals. Traditionally the threshold has been set as 200 runs / 20 wickets or dismissals. This probably also needs to be adjusted to reflect the modern game. The individual performance awards are determined by the OCC.
A few more points before we get to the figures. The Senior Statistics do not include T20 Competitions [although re-fixtures using the T20 format are] or performances in the Irish Senior Cup. Matches that end up as No Result are also excluded.
So at last to the figures.
At the mid-year checkpoint the following are the batting, bowling and wicket-keeping figures. Thresholds of 300 runs, 15 wickets and 10 dismissals [reflecting that for most more than 50% of the matches due to be played in the season have taken place] are applied.
Senior Batting [4th July]
Senior Bowling [4th July]
Senior Wicket Keeping [4th July]
As can be seen from the tables, John Anderson [Merrion] is way out in front in terms of runs scored and indeed has already passed the qualifying threshold for the season. What remain to be seen is if he can join the very select band of club cricketers who have scored 1000 runs in a season.
Another Merrion player leads the top wicket takers - and with 26 wickets Tom Stanton has also passed the qualifying figure of the season.
Nicolaas Pretorius [Phoenix] leads the wicket takers with 16 dismissals and Paul Lawson [Pembroke] has taken most out-field catches with 7.
Averages for the individual leagues and competition reviews will follow over the next few days.