Co-inventor of DLS method Frank Duckworth passes away at 84

Frank Duckworth, the co-creator of the Duckworth-Lewis method used in rain-affected cricket matches, passed away on June 21 at the age of 84. 

Duckworth, along with Tony Lewis, developed the method that revolutionized how cricket matches are handled when weather interruptions occur. 

The Duckworth-Lewis method, introduced in 1997 and officially adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001, provided a fair way to set revised targets in matches interrupted by rain. The method, which considers the number of runs and wickets, replaced the previously controversial rain rule. This rule was notably criticized during the 1992 ODI World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa, where it led to an unfair outcome.

In 2014, the method was updated and renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after Australian statistician Steven Stern made modifications to improve it. Duckworth and Lewis retired from their roles in managing the method that same year.

Both Duckworth and Lewis were honored with MBEs in June 2010 for their contributions to cricket. Their work has been instrumental in ensuring that cricket matches disrupted by rain or other factors can still have fair and equitable conclusions. Duckworth’s legacy lives on through the continued use of the DLS method in cricket worldwide.