The Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester has hosted 18 matches across various formats, with 13 T20s, 3 Tests, and 2 ODIs. Focusing on the limited-overs format, we have data from 11 innings, which is a relatively small sample size. From this limited data, the average 1st innings score stands at 166, while the average 2nd innings score drops to 133. This difference might suggest the pitch slows down or becomes harder to bat on in the second innings, or perhaps chasing under pressure is more challenging.
Historically, the toss winner elected to bat first only 40% of the time, and the side batting first went on to win just 36% of decided matches. This indicates that chasing teams have had a slight edge, despite the lower average second innings score. It's crucial for fantasy users to consider this trend, although the small sample size means these percentages should be viewed with caution. The lower second innings score could also hint at a potential dew factor influencing evening matches, making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball, or it could suggest spin might come into play more as the match progresses.
For fantasy cricket, identifying top performers at this venue is vital. Jos Buttler leads the run-scorers with 196 runs at an impressive average of 65.3, making him a strong pick. Other notable batsmen include George Bartlett (124 runs, avg 62.0) and Ricardo Vasconcelos (113 runs, avg 56.5). On the bowling front, George Balderson has been exceptionally good with 14 wickets. Other bowlers like James Langridge and Will Williams (7 wickets each) have also performed well. Given the balanced nature suggested by the scores and the fact that batting first doesn't guarantee a win, selecting a mix of in-form batsmen and wicket-taking bowlers will be crucial for Dream11 teams.