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Ian Cockbain - anchor, destroyer or finisher?

websitebuilder • 8 February 2021

My initial research on the Hundred batsman came up with a few names like Hain, Bell-Drummond and Luke Hollman. One name that kept coming out though was Ian Cockbain, so I am going to take a closer look at his numbers over the last three seasons to see what we can learn about this player.

1. Role change : From Anchor to Destroyer (and potential Finisher)

Ian Cockbain is a unique cricketer who can fill any roll for his team and bat in any position. He can open, play the hardest role at 3 and 4 or be a finisher.

The numbers Ian Cockbain clocked up with match winning knocks in the 2020 blast at number 3 were truly exceptional. On the back of solid 2018 and 2019 games, Cockbain’s job was to anchor the innings, score at a steady rate whilst accumulating runs then explode at the end if he was still in at the 16th over (a feat he managed in 36% of games). He would then take down the bowling at a 205 Strike Rate (Blast average over same period 150 SR) and finding a maximum with 16.1% of the deliveries he faced in the last 5 overs.

Cockbain was the classic anchor and a superb one at that. However, his numbers in the 2020 Vitality blast show there was unlocked potential that was has finally been unleashed, as shown by his 205 strike rate at the death in overs 16-20. In 2020 it looks like his role has changed from anchor to destroyer. Let's take a closer look.

Rather than taking 10 balls to get set and then slowly accelerating through the innings, Cockbain, now starts to go from about ball 7. His strike rate in 2020 after facing 7-10 balls is a world class 212!


Strike Rate 1st 10 balls PP Over 7-10 Over 11-15 Over 16-20 Six % Overall
Cockbain 2018-19 98 121 101 129 205 4.2 128
Cockbain 2020 170 149 175 212 155 9.2 170
Average 1st 10 balls PP Over 7-10 Over 11-15 Over 16-20 Six % Overall
Cockbain 2018-19 59 41 23 85 42 4.2 39.0
Cockbain 2020 71 72 36 91 18 9.2 46.2


What is amazing about this role change in 2020 after the Powerplay is twofold. He still averages 72 in the Powerplay and then when he enters the middle phase he doesn’t slow down, he gets even quicker, targeting the 4
th and 5th change bowlers.


If we take a closer look at his Strike Rate in the late middle or pre launch phase of 11-15, his 212 SR was the 7th best in the world in 2020 to face at least 50 balls. The average domestic player in this period goes at 129 SR.


If we look at his numbers in the death, his Strike rate drops off a bit to 155. Over the last four years his overall strike rate in overs 16-20 is 184 so perhaps last year was a bit of natural variation. Alternatively, there is perhaps an element of tiredness that has played a part and I would recommend that he looks at this as part of his development.


So Cockbain could equally come in at 5 or 6 and be the finisher and have the perfect skill set for that role.Since 2018, he was in at the death in 11 games and hit a six with 17.1% of the deliveries faced with a 193 strike rate.  Should a franchise require him to play the finishing role Cockbain will be ready to deliver.
 
 

2.      Hundred draft – where does he rank versus his peers?


Cockbain’s last 3 years of performances compared to the other players being selected is excellent. The table below shows how Cockbain ranks compared to the Blast players who came in at position 3 or 4 in the 2020 season.


A- Strike Rate 1st 10 balls faced

B - Average 1st 10 balls faced

C - Death Strike Rate - Overs 16-20

D - Death Balls per Wicket - Overs 16-20

E - Death Average - Overs 16-20

F - Overall Strike Rate

G - Overall Average

H - Six percentage

I - Strike Rate once set (after 18 balls)


2018-2020 A B C D E F G H I
Ian Cockbain 111 63 192.7 16.4 32.6 141.2 41.5 5.80% 172.3
Rank 54th 5th 7th 18th 12th 19th 6th 23rd 9th
Cockbain 2018-19 98 59 129 63 85 128 39 4.20% 170
Cockbain 2020 143 46 212 43 91 170 46 9.20% 176
2020 Rank 5th 12th 5th 1st 1st 1st 3rd 2nd 9th
Will Jacks 132.2 24.4 229 31 72 146.7 24 7.41% 176.5
Will Smeed 31.6 12 227.3 11 25 114.3 17.5 5.95% 164.5
Josh Cobb 92.8 20.9 217.6 11.3 25 130.6 30 7.60% 163.1
Luis Reece 100 21.9 214.3 n/a n/a 117.5 21 3.93% 131.4
Ian Cockbain 170 46.2 212 43 91 170 46.2 9.20% 176
Chris Cooke 111.2 28.5 209.8 17.6 38 137.9 27 7.08% 156
Ben Raine 122.5 15.9 201.9 8.8 18.5 150.6 23.8 8.92% 210.9
Alex Blake 133 19.1 189.3 9.3 17.7 148 21.6 7.82% 193.8
Dan Lawrence 131.1 34.2 186.9 8.7 16.3 143.3 30.1 6.60% 155.9
Adam Hose 115.3 27.9 186.7 9 18 141.8 34.4 5.89% 167.9
Will Fraine 142.7 25.6 185.1 13.4 25 154.1 20.6 8.18% 50
Sam Hain 95.7 41.6 182.6 15.3 30.2 127.9 41.6 3.52% 155.5
Laurie Evans 104.2 47.9 182.5 14.9 28.9 135.1 45.7 5.00% 164.9
Dan Lincoln 98.6 18.5 181.3 16 30 106.8 16.1 1.94% 140
Ravi Bopara 103.8 25.2 180.1 14.3 27 127.1 31.2 4.12% 162.5
Sam Billings 114.4 29.2 178.2 18.3 35 139.8 31.1 5.02% 167.2
Tom Moores 110.6 33.5 178.1 9.1 17.6 138.1 27 7.04% 195.7
Dawid Malan 101.5 23.7 176.9 10.8 19.7 129.9 29 4.25% 162.7
James Bracey 117.4 28.4 175.9 7.3 12.8 122.9 21 2.58% 118.9
Alex Hales 133.7 33.1 174.1 27 49 141 31.9 5.76% 134.3
Jack Taylor 136.4 23.7 173.6 15.8 28.5 148.6 27.1 7.01% 100
Adam Rossington 109 26.5 170.6 8.5 14.5 127.8 24.2 3.19% 118.1
Wayne Madsen 125.3 50.6 169.8 21 38 140.2 37.7 3.52% 159.8
Andy Balbirnie 126.2 21.2 168.8 8 14 146.2 29.7 4.40% 177.8
A B C D E F G H I
Harry Brook 138.3 48.2 166.7 9.5 17.7 140.5 24.8 5.57% 113.5
Harry Finch 112.7 31.5 166.7 n/a n/a 109.2 16 2.30% 88.2
Nick Gubbins 125.2 28.2 166.7 3 5 125.9 21.5 2.47% 148.1
Ross Whiteley 117.3 18.6 166.3 10.1 17.6 142.3 21.9 6.38% 147.8
Tom Abell 113.3 33.7 165.7 17.5 31 143.8 37.2 3.23% 162.4
Keaton Jennings 110.3 67 165.7 22.3 37.7 118.4 51.5 2.20% 132.5
David Wiese 119.9 32.3 165.5 14 24 140.6 29.8 6.61% 188.1
Ian Bell 112.7 45.8 163.3 7.5 14.3 131.7 43.9 3.29% 137.7
Ben Cox 101.9 55.6 163 24.3 41 118.7 29.6 3.22% 171.8
Heino Kuhn 111.4 22.5 162.2 11.3 18.6 129.6 26.4 2.71% 165.6
Matt Critchley 105.4 20.1 161.4 8.8 14.4 112.1 16 2.47% 100
Ben Duckett 120.4 30.6 160.7 11.2 18 136 31.6 3.32% 155.9
Leus du Plooy 121.5 34.2 160 15 25 134.8 29.5 3.87% 145.3
Liam Livingstone 126 36.8 159.2 12.3 19.8 141.3 29.5 8.45% 158.2
Ryan ten Doeschate 107.1 30.1 158.7 18.4 30.3 127.4 30.8 4.17% 153.7
Sam Northeast 87.7 33 158.5 8.2 13.6 104.3 23.9 1.22% 122.9
Steven Croft 101.7 20.8 158.2 6.9 11 121.8 28.2 5.41% 136.9
Cameron Delport 124.2 31.5 158.2 13.8 22 140.3 25.7 6.38% 168.9
Brydon Carse 153.4 34.2 157.9 10.9 18.4 144.6 22.8 6.76% 40
Samit Patel 112.8 25.3 157.8 14.2 22.6 124.5 24.7 2.53% 126.9
Jonathan Tattersall 112.9 28 156.3 12.9 20.6 124.9 24.9 1.10% 165.5
Ryan Higgins 119.2 34.3 153.8 15.1 25.3 130.3 27.7 4.65% 139.8
Joe Weatherley 103.4 25.2 153.1 5.3 8.5 110.9 16.6 1.98% 146.2
Graham Clark 139.5 36.8 147.5 8 12.4 145 29.2 4.33% 142.3
James Vince 121.1 28.4 147.4 11.1 16.7 132.2 29.8 3.24% 143.4
Rory Burns 147.8 29.4 147.1 8.5 13.5 145.9 35.5 2.70% 115.6
Ben Foakes 129.6 23 142.4 19.7 30 130.7 27.9 2.81% 125.6
Joe Root 121.3 88 140 25 40 139.3 43.9 1.97% 142.2
Colin Ackermann 120 42.6 139.3 12 18.7 129.5 30.3 3.43% 134
A B C D E F G H I
Joe Denly 118.6 41.5 138.5 13 18 130.9 34.2 3.81% 143.5
Dane Vilas 128.8 28.3 136.5 12.2 17.5 132.9 26.4 3.91% 132.3
John Simpson 125.9 77.4 129.8 10.1 13.8 130.3 30.7 6.55% 131.3
Calum MacLeod 92.1 25.1 128.6 5.6 7.8 111.6 25.3 2.10% 146.9
Brett D'Oliveira 118.6 17.7 127.9 8.7 11.4 127.9 18.9 2.90% 151.1
Ian Holland 108.1 29 126.1 15.3 20.7 127.5 37.2 4.35% 147.2
Jake Libby 130.8 71.5 125 15 23.3 130.3 39.8 1.92% 123.1
Arron Lilley 152.5 34 124 8.3 11.7 152.2 23.5 7.18% 158.3
Will Rhodes 113.9 23.8 120 11.7 16.3 119.3 17.1 3.07% 166.7
Billy Godleman 126.7 36.9 118.5 27 37 113.2 35.3 2.77% 108.5
Jordan Cox 107.4 18.2 118.2 11 13.2 110.7 17.6 1.64% 121.4
Varun Chopra 107.7 37.5 116.7 3 6 123 33 3.87% 119.9
Aaron Thomason 90.3 15.8 109.7 15.5 18 110 20.4 2.22% 152.9
Tom Westley 132.3 58.2 100 n/a n/a 129.9 27.4 2.61% 140.8
James Hildreth 133.5 41.3 89.2 7.4 6.8 134.2 27.6 3.94% 136.6
David Willey 113.4 29.4 50 4 2 126.7 26.8 6.44% 161.9
Paul Stirling 131.1 29.5 0 1 0 141.2 22.6 5.71% 131.1
Chris Dent 135.1 33 0 1 0 151 34.9 4.08% 153.8
Kiran Carlson 104 31.6 n/a 1 0 131.5 21.3 4.28% 186.2
Steven Davies 121.1 14.3 n/a n/a n/a 136.5 18 1.69% 144.4
Joe Clarke 133.3 31.3 n/a n/a n/a 150.7 30.1 6.76% 150.7
David Bedingham 108.5 26.3 n/a 1 0 128 22.6 4.49% 137.5
Delray Rawlins 102 21 n/a n/a n/a 129 22.3 7.20% 154.3
Ricardo Vasconcelos 108.3 23 n/a n/a n/a 107.6 16.1 0.76% 128.6
Jack Haynes 135.8 45.5 n/a n/a n/a 137 21.6 3.70% 212.5
Joe Cracknell 125.5 33.5 n/a n/a n/a 137.4 27.6 3.30% 143.8
Robert Yates 156.8 61 n/a n/a n/a 155.2 23.5 10.34% 0
Average all above 118.5 33.7 155.6 13.7 23.4 132.7 28.3 6.55% 144.9
Blast Batsman 3-4 115 32.7 164 13.4 23 131 29.4 4.40% 153


Cockbain appears to be one of the most flexible players in domestic cricket. He has taken a look at his main weaknesses in 2018 and 2019 in my opinion and turned them in to strengths in 2020. Once the Powerplay has finished he has taken it on himself to carry the attack to the spinners. Being aggressive against the spinners is something that has worked for him as I show in the comparison below.


Cockbain ranks 5th in his Strike rate for the 1st 10 balls in an innings in 2020 Blast – very few can get off to a quicker start and punish the bowling early on. This means that he could even play the role of finisher should he be required. He also hits a six with 9.2% of deliveries he faces. Only Robert Yates hit at a higher rate (6 from 58 balls)


3.      Seam v Spin – an improving cricketer


His record versus pace is well known and elite. However, to do improve his game Cockbain was weak in one area, Offbreak bowling.  Oddly for a right hander Cockbain got in trouble by being too negative against Offbreak in previous years.


Offbreak Legbreak Pace
Average SR Average SR Average SR
Blast Average 2020 23 116 23 119 24 124
Cockbain 2018-2019 15 110 36 116 42 154
Cockbain 2020 23 155 43 154 43 186
Cockbain 2017-2020 29 143 43 127 36 146


Cockbain has always been comfortable versus legbreak and able to pick it. However, one can see the difference in attitude and aggression towards spinners in his new destroyer role in 2020.




Offbreak
Period Power Over 7-15 Six %
Cockbain 2018-2019 SR 144 100 0%
Cockbain 2018-2019 Ave n/a 10.7
Cockbain 2020 SR 92 206 18.80%
Cockbain 2020 Ave 6.5 n/a


So Cockbain was aware of his sub par record against offbreak and has developed some new shots and footwork against offbreak bowling. His numbers in the 2020 Vitality blast show his attacking intent against Offbreak bowling has really paid off. Cockbain should now be considered an all round player with few if any weaknesses.


4.     Conclusion


Ian Cockbain is coming into the peak of his powers as an elite t20 world batsman at 33 years of age, taking his power and attacking game to approaching world class level. He is aware of his strengths and has considerably improved on his weaknesses to become an elite player that can fill any role a coach or captain requires in t20 cricket. I'd probably use him as a number 3 or 4 in The Hundred, being a 16 over game.


Please comment or tweet me if you would like anymore in depth player analysis. I will try and do a few more before The Hundred starts


Thanks


neil@cricketpunt.com



by Neil Wyman 25 February 2021
The draft came and went on Monday, but one of the names that wasn’t picked up was Gloucestershire captain, Jack Taylor. Taylor the niche finisher? Taylor operates in an interesting niche in the in the t20 world – the finishers, but more specifically, the seam finisher. This is a highly specialised role, batting at 5 or 6, where players are expected to get their team over the line chasing, or if setting go at at least 10+ runs per over in the last 3-5 overs of the innings. A lot of franchises double this role up with a 5th / 6th choice bowler and fill the team with these in the 5-8 slots. The modern team generally now has 4 specialist bats, a batting keeper, 4 specialist bowlers and 2-3 all rounders who either fill the 5th bowling option or combine as a 6th bowler for specific match ups. Examples of these players include Ben Cutting, Carlos Brathwaite, Keiron Pollard. Therefore, for Taylor to be noticed and stick his head above the parapet as a non bowling finisher you need to be elite to get drafted.
Luke Hollman an exciting prospect and all rounder
by Neil Wyman 15 February 2021
Using Balls per boundary as a Blast metric for all rounders in t20 cricket
the hundred draft
by Neil Wyman 8 February 2021
The Hundred Draft - taking a closer look at the 2020 Blast Season and who may or may not get drafted. Batsman statistics in the 2020 Blast Season
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by Neil Wyman 8 February 2021
I was thinking about what makes a great bowler in t20 cricket. Some of the obvious metrics are bowling economy, strike rate, balls per wicket. There’s been work done on True Strike Rates that give each ball an expected outcome and how you perform over time against the average gives you a true performance level. This is fantastic but not everyone has access to an all singing, all dancing models. In the article about batting, I picked out three key metrics than can be used to assess players which I believe are important. So it makes some sense that if bowlers can restrict these then they must be fairly valuable. Here are the three metrics but in reverse for the bowlers, a) the best 1st 10 balls strike rate, b) best strike rate to set batsman who have faced over 18 balls and c) the lowest six percentage. Obviously these figures are not perfect, if someone played all their games at the MCG their six % would be artificially low or if they were at Taunton artificially high but if we inclined we could adjust for that and give each ground a six rating and then apply it to the player. I won’t be doing that today but I could make that data privately available should anyone be particularly interested. Furthermore the data set is small, so analysing one season like this will give rise to a recency bias. You might get taken down by Colin Munro on one day and all of a sudden your statistics look bad. Anyway, let's take a look at the worst offenders in the t20 blast last season 1. Strike rate to batsman facing their 1st 10 balls
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