While global sport has ground to a halt a Test match is continuing between Sri Lanka and England – but in cyberspace.
A sports statistician at Sky Sports, Benedict Bermange, used a cricket simulation programme, which uses an algorithm to look at the statistics of players and related factors and then model how a Test match will play out, to model a Test match between the two teams.
The simulated match saw Sri Lanka win the toss, being bowled out for 277, with Oshada Fernando scoring 141 and Dom Bess taking 4/45. In reply England were 217/3 with Joe Root unbeaten on 69. Three days of the ‘match’ remain.
Sri Lanka and England were due to play a Test series in the real world – starting this week – but this was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately it seems that simulated sport will be the only thing fans can look forward to for the foreseeable future.