DLS Method, Explained

When rain or other interruptions cut short overs in a cricket match, the DLS method takes effect to recalculate a winning target. It's not a simple run rate based on overs lost. Instead, DLS recalculates the chase from the batting side's remaining resources - overs left and wickets in hand.

Cricket's official body, the International Cricket Council, formally adopted the Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) method for setting recalculated totals in rain-reduced matches. It's used to set a revised target in accordance with the run-scoring resources available, not in direct proportion to overs lost.

How DLS Works

The key points are that overs remaining plus wickets in hand matters more than just what the average run rate was.

The calculation depends on how many overs were played and how many wickets fell before the rain hit. The key factor is resources, defined as the number of overs left and wickets in hand.

Why Wickets Matter

The big difference between average run rate and DLS is the wickets factor.

A target set by DLS will rarely just scale down in a direct proportion to the number of overs lost.

Name and History

The method used in cricket today is officially called Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, even though you'll still often see the first two names used. This final version, known as the "Stern Edition", was updated in 2014.

DLS has been the ICC's official system for calculating winning sides in interrupted limited-overs matches since 1999. It was introduced in ODIs in 1997. It's important to check the official ICC rules or the specific tournament playing conditions to confirm the calculations for games in progress.

What to Check On the Scoreboard

If the match does not specify the DLS Method, the match organisers have to state which method is used for revised targets.