So far this year there have been 17 senior centuries [RSA D1/D2 and Senior Cup] scored in Leinster. This has led some to question the standard of bowling, while others have pointed to the quality of wickets and the number of matches played between teams of differing standards.
For those of us who remember the ridge in Claremont Road, the sun sinking behind the bowler as the ball turned sharply in Cabra or the skidders in Sydney Parade there is a sense of injustice. Of course we could have scored centuries if only the conditions had been right and we didn’t have to face the opposition’s best bowlers for 20 overs each match. And what about the bats they use today?
Of course I suppose we should allow that fitness plays a part – nearly unheard of for a cricketer 20 years or more ago and we did have more time. We could bat way beyond the 50 overs, and in some cases for days in cup matches that were played to a finish.
So is there any way to compare standards. At this point all we can say is that like global warming [perhaps I should have mentioned that as a possible factor as well] the long term trend in the number of number of centuries is upwards, but there is still considerable variation between years. The most centuries recorded in a year was in 2006 [41], followed by 2005 [34]. From 2007 to 2010 the graph pointed steadily upwards – 16, 18, 24, and 30. But then in 2011 and 2012 – it dropped back 12 and 19 respectively. With 17 in one month this year we could see a return to record scores this year.
The longer term trend is also interesting.
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
9 3 4 6 6 8 3 14 20 30
Gerry Byrne is busy compiling the figures for the modern era and has provided some interim data for the period 2005 – 2013. There have been 211 centuries [including two double centuries] and the grounds on which 100s have been scored break down as follows [the figure in brackets is the number by Home Team players]
Anglesea Road 11 [9]
Cabra 4 [2]
Castle Avenue 13 [7]
Claremount 11 [4]
College Park 9 [5]
Inch 24 [16]
Kenure 22 [8]
Milverton 27 [16]
Malahide 19 [7]
Mardyke 3 [2]
Park Avenue 18 [15]
Phoenix Park 11 [3]
Rathmines 11 [6]
Sydney Parade 11 [7]
Terenure 17 [8]
Bottom line – there are more centuries scored in the modern game. Personally I blame the groundsmen who are clearly pandering to the spectators.