The DLS Method Explained: How Rain-Affected Targets Are Set

A simple explanation of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method: how it works out a fair target when rain cuts a limited-overs match short, with resources, an example and common questions.

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method sets a revised target in a rain-affected limited-overs match by comparing the batting resources each side had, which depend on overs and wickets in hand.

The idea of resources

A team's batting resources are the combination of overs left and wickets in hand. A side with 20 overs and 10 wickets has far more scoring potential than one with 5 overs and 2 wickets. DLS turns that into a percentage of the innings' total resources.

How a target is revised

If the team batting second has less resource available than the first team had, DLS reduces its target in proportion. In simple terms: revised target = first innings score multiplied by (second team's resources divided by first team's resources), and a win needs one more run than that figure.

If the second team has more resources, the target goes up. Tables and software supply the resource percentages, and match officials apply them under the tournament's playing conditions.

Where the name comes from

The method was devised by statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis and was adopted by the ICC in 1999. Professor Steven Stern updated it, and it has been known as Duckworth-Lewis-Stern since 2014.

Par scores

During a chase, officials can show a par score: the score the chasing team needs at that moment to be level on DLS if play stopped. The team is ahead of par when its score is higher. It is not the same as the final target.

Frequently asked questions

What does DLS stand for?

Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, named after the statisticians who created and later updated the method.

Why is the target sometimes odd, like 137 from 12 overs?

DLS converts the available overs and wickets into a resource percentage and scales the first innings score by it, so revised targets are rarely round numbers.

Is DLS used in Test cricket?

No. It is used in limited-overs matches. Test matches that lose time to rain are decided on the full match situation, and often end as draws.