What is the skill scale used at the Women's T20 World Cup?
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The T20 skill scale used at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup is a metric used to rate players' playing styles based on certain aspects of their game.
Designed by cricket data experts CricViz and in collaboration with the International Cricket Council, the skill scale ratings are regularly shown by the ICC in television coverage of major tournaments.
In essence, it is designed to show viewers how a player performs and what their strengths and weaknesses are based on previous performances.
A new version of the skill scale was designed specifically for this World Cup in England and Wales.
All metrics are rated between 0 and 100, with the higher the number equating to how much of that metric is incorporated into that player's game.
For bowlers, threat, control and variation are the three metrics. For batters, power, control and innovation are measured.
In the Women's T20 World Cup, ratings are based on data since the start of 2023 and are calculated for all players who have either faced or bowled a minimum of 180 deliveries.
Among the reasons for the skill scale's introduction is to portray whether certain teams, opposition and playing conditions either suit or do not suit a player, given the range of competitions and opposition players face.
It is a moving scale that is easily adaptable to different conditions and opponents accordingly.
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What do the metrics mean?
England bowler Lauren Bell is a high performer in all three skill scale metrics used at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup
The following are the metrics that are measured, as well as what they mean about a certain player.
Batters
Power – How frequently a bitter hits a six. It does not necessarily mean they are the best batter, but higher ratings are given to the most frequent six hitters
Control – How much higher a batter's controlled shot percentage was than other batters in the same matches they played. High ratings are given to those with a higher controlled shot percentage
Innovation – How frequently a batter plays unorthodox shots such as scoops, reverse hits or sweeps against pacers. Higher ratings mean a player uses those shots more often than others
Bowlers
Threat – How much better a bowler's strike rate was than other bowlers in the same matches and phases they bowled. Higher are ratings are given to those with a more effective strike rate
Control – How much better a bowler's economy rate was than other bowlers in the same matches and phases they bowled. Higher ratings are given to those with a more economical bowling rate
Variation – How often a bowler bowls deliveries outside their stock ball, such as cutters, yorkers and googlies. Higher ratings are given to those who use a broader range of deliveries
Who are examples of players with high ratings?
Former England captain Heather Knight is one of the best-rated batters. She has a rating of 96 for control and 97 for innovation, both of which are in the top five player rankings for those metrics.
South Africa's Marizanne Kapp ranks in the top five of bowlers for Threat and Control, with ratings of 95 and 99 respectively in those areas.
England pacer Lauren Bell ranks in the top five in all three bowling metrics, scoring 95 for threat, 97 for control and 98 for variation.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and New Zealand's Melie Kerr have the honour of ranking in the top five of at least one batting metric and at least one bowling metric.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
