The game of Cricket is one of the most exciting of outdoor sports. The sheer uncertainty factor of Cricket adds to the thrill. Nail-biting finishes in One Day International matches keep the spectators glued to their seats. There is a popular saying About Cricket that no match is over until it is over. You never know what will happen in the very next delivery. The margin for error for any batsman is minimal. All these things have collectively contributed the growing popularity of Cricket in all corners of the globe. Now rain often plays spoilsport in many Cricket matches. A potentially enthralling match comes to a dull end due to inclement weather.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) from time to time have tried to devise a comprehensive method to reset the target score in One Day Internationals and Twenty20 matches. The Duckworth Lewis Method (D/L Method) is now officially accepted as the fairest and most accurate method with regards to this purpose. It's now a part of the official book of Cricket Regulations.

The Duckworth Lewis Method is based on mathematical calculations. The revised target score set by using this method is based on the assumption 'what would have happened provided the game went on without any rain or other interruption'. This chance factor has created some controversy regarding the acceptance of this Duckworth Lewis Rule.

In the Duckworth Lewis Method, the main points that are taken into account while setting a revised target for the chasing team include the number of wickets in hand and overs left. If a chasing team has more wickets, the revised target may actually come down from the original one. On the other hand, if a chasing team lose too many wickets, their new target is likely to increase.

The Duckworth Lewis Method is a rather convoluted application when it comes to putting it into practice. A published reference table is required to calculate the altered target score.


Cricket Regulations

ICC Code of Conduct for Umpires	Duckworth Lewis Method
Playing Conditions for Men’s Test Matches	Playing Conditions for Men’s One day International

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