Extreme home field advantages

The only thing more certain in Test cricket than Shane Watson reviewing an LBW decision, is visiting teams inability to win in Karachi. Pakistan's win/loss ratio at the National Stadium is a staggering 10.50. Of the 41 Test matches staged at the National Stadium, Pakistan were winners on 21 occasions with just 2 losses and 18 draws.

Pakistan's dominance in Karachi was such that they were unbeaten in their first 35 matches - although they were indebted to a remarkable 57 run last wicket partnership between Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed against Australia in 1994 to keep this record intact.

Their first loss came on 7 December 2000 against England . The final days play was one for the ages, with England knocking off the final runs needed in total darkness. The dragon was finally slayed in the most unique set of circumstances, and one of crickets most enduring records - spanning almost 46 years - had been broken.

Seven years later, South Africa became the only other side to win a Test match in Karachi.

Pakistan's dominance was such that Nick Cook once took match figures of 11/83 and England still lost.

In 72 innings in Karachi, Pakistan were bowled out for 250 or less on just 8 occasions. By contrast, opposing teams were bowled out for less than 250 in 34 of their 78 innings.

Although Karachi holds the record for the highest win/loss ratio by a home team, South Africa holds the record for the highest winning percentage at a home ground. While playing at SuperSport Stadium in Centurion, South Africa have won a staggering 76 percent of all Test matches played.

Australia hold the record for most home wins at one ground with 36 at the Gabba, where they currently enjoy a 19 match unbeaten run. Their last loss at the Gabba came against the West Indies back in 1988 .

The graph below shows the top five home venues by win/loss ratio.



*Image can be enlarged by clicking on it

To put the top 5 win/loss ratios into perspective, home teams have a collective win/loss ratio of 1.54. Although, it should be noted that home field advantage has increased this century with the win/loss ratio rising to 1.66. Still, however, paling in comparison to the top 5 home field advantages included in the chart above.

It really is a shame. I would love to see Test match cricket return to Pakistan some day. But full credit to Pakistan, they continue to play good cricket, both abroad and now in their new adopted home, the UAE - where they have a 2.60 win/loss ratio (13 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses).

Historically, West Indies highest win/loss ratio (2.33) at home has come at the Antigua Recreation Ground. However, between 1976-1995, West Indies had a win/loss ratio of 6.50 at the Kensington Oval where they won 13 matches and lost just twice.

Taking things back even further, West Indies were unbeaten at the Kensington Oval from 1948-1993. Over this span, they accumulated 16 wins and 11 draws. A 16.00 win/loss ratio and 59.25% winning percentage.

Here's the real EXTREME : This is not ARG India Test playing on tomorrow..

This is Viv ground of the abandoned match after 10 deliveries Fame !

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/groundsmen-cover-the-pitch-after-the-play-was-abandoned-during-the-picture-id84774029

Chinese fix dem real good!!!  ::LOL:: ::LOL::

During the ground breaking ceremony at the start of the build out them chaps played the Taiwanese national anthem instead of the Chinese national anthem!!  ::LOL:: ::LOL:: ::LOL:: ::LOL::

The bowler in me wishes we'd see more pitches like this one.

I recently came across this excellent article discussing home field advantage across major sports.

review.chicagobooth.edu/magazine/spring-...acts-and-the-fiction

Cricket teams have a higher home winning percentage than three of the four major American sports (MLB, NHL and NFL).

In a way I think we all like to see a slight advantage to the home team, and especially if the home team is the team that we support then even more so, but it does have to be only a slight one. One of the advantages of playing a game at home is that your in front of your home fans and you are used to playing on that particular pitch and know it inside out.

When you play away, then obviously that advantage is then given to your opponents as they are the ones at home, but with the amount of bias these days towards the home teams, you might as well just not bother playing the actual game and just award the home team the points.