Frank Duckworth, DLS method’s co-creator, passes away at 84

Renowned statistician Frank Duckworth, one of the creators of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, passed away at the age of 84 on Friday, June 21.

The DLS method is commonly used to revise targets in weather-affected games across the sport.

It was originally named the Duckworth-Lewis (DL) method after Duckworth developed it with Tony Lewis. The method was first used in international cricket in 1997.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) formally accepted the method in 2001 as the standard to calculate revised targets in weather-affected games.

In 2014, it was renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after renowned Australian statistician Steven Stern modified it and Duckworth and Lewis’ retirements.

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Frank Duckworth was a consultant statistician with the ICC through until his retirement from the post in 2014, and was awarded the honour of a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2010 for his services to sport.

“Frank was a top statistician who was respected by peers as well as the wider cricket fraternity,” Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager of Cricket Operations, said in a statement.

“The DLS method that he co-created has stood the test of time and we have continued to use it in international cricket more than two decades after its inception.

“Frank’s contribution to the game has been immense and the world of cricket is poorer with his death.

“We send our condolences to his family and friends.”

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