Explainers
What makes a good T20 total?
There is no single number: pitch, ground size and conditions all move the target.
Ask ten players what a winning T20 total is and you will get ten answers. The honest one is “it depends”.
What changes the answer
- The pitch. A slow, dry surface may make 150 competitive. A true batting surface can make 190 chaseable.
- Boundary size. Short boundaries bring more sixes and more risk for bowlers.
- Dew. In night games, a wet ball is harder to grip, which often favours the chasing side.
Many teams judge a total against par for the venue instead of a fixed number, which is why the same score can be called excellent in one match and ordinary in the next.