False Shot and Control Percentage
Also known as: false shot percentage, false shot, control percentage, in control percentage, false shots, batting control stats
Control percentage is the share of balls on which a batter is judged to be in control of their shot. The test is whether the ball went where the batter meant it to. A false shot is a ball the batter does not control, such as an edge or a play and miss. False shot percentage is the share of balls where that happens.
Control figures come from ball-by-ball records in which a scorer judges every delivery. ESPNcricinfo developed its control measure around one question. Did the ball go where the batter intended it to go? A good leave, a middled defensive shot or a well-hit drive is in control. Being beaten, edging, or mistiming a shot is not. Other analysts publish a false shot percentage on the same idea, often counting edges and misses.
The numbers are useful because they look past the scorecard. A batter can make 60 while beaten again and again, or get out cheaply to an unplayable ball. Over a season, a high control percentage is a sign of sound technique and judgement. It also points to good shot selection. A rising false shot rate can warn that a batter is struggling even when the runs are still coming.
Treat the figures with care. They depend on a scorer's judgement. They do not measure how likely each false shot was to get you out. They also vary with pitch, bowling quality and how attacking the batter is trying to be. For your own game, a coach or teammate can mark each ball as controlled or not in the nets. Track the share over time, and against pace and spin separately.
Tips by skill level
In the nets, ask a teammate to call each ball 'in' or 'out' of control. Ten minutes of honest scoring shows you which balls you struggle with.
Split your false shots by length and line. A cluster on fourth-stump balls or short balls tells you exactly what to train next.
Example
A batter scores 45, but the ball-by-ball record shows she played and missed or edged 14 of her 70 balls. Her control percentage for the innings is 80%, and the false shots tell her coach she struggled outside off stump.
Why it matters
Control percentage gives a fairer picture of how well a batter is playing than runs alone, especially over short runs of innings.
Common mistakes
- Treating every false shot as equally dangerous
- Comparing control figures across very different pitches and bowling attacks
- Panicking over one innings of poor control instead of watching the trend
- Counting a good leave as a false shot
Frequently asked questions
What is false shot percentage?
The share of balls on which a batter plays a false shot, meaning they do not control it. Edges, plays and misses and mistimed shots are the usual examples.
What does control percentage mean in cricket?
The share of balls a batter faces on which they are judged to be in control. The test is whether the ball went where the batter intended. Leaving the ball well counts as control.
Is control percentage a good way to judge a batter?
It helps, because it shows how well a batter played beyond the score. But it depends on a scorer's judgement and on conditions. Use it over many innings, alongside runs and how you got out.
Sources
Related terms
- Nicking Off (Edging Behind)Nicking off is edging a ball outside off stump to the wicket-keeper or slips. It usually comes from playing at balls you could leave, pushing at the ball with hard hands or reaching away from your body. Know your off stump, play late under your eyes with soft hands and leave anything you do not need to play.
- Playing Swing and Seam BowlingTo play swing and seam bowling, know where your off stump is and leave balls you do not need to play. Watch the seam and shine in the bowler's hand, then play late under your eyes with a straight bat and soft hands. Let the ball come to you instead of reaching for it.
- Timing the BallTiming the ball means meeting it with the middle of the bat at the right moment. The bat face should point where you want the ball to go. Keep your head still and over the ball, let it come under your eyes and swing smoothly through it. A well-timed shot travels further than the effort behind it suggests.
- Batting AverageA cricket batting average is total runs divided by the number of times the batter was out. Not-out innings add runs but do not add a dismissal. So 300 runs in 10 innings, with 2 not outs, is an average of 37.5.
- Batting Strike RateA batter's strike rate is the runs they score per 100 balls faced. Divide runs by balls faced and multiply by 100. Scoring 45 off 30 balls is a strike rate of 150. Balls faced include no balls but not wides.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.