The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Cricket commentators love to talk about the ‘nervous nineties’ – but our new research suggests there’s no such thing

  • Written by Leo Roberts, Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health, The University of Melbourne

With dual men’s and women’s Ashes series under way, the performance of elite Test cricketers is in the spotlight. For psychologically minded researchers like us, one aspect of play is attracting particular interest: the performance of batters progressing through the famed “nervous nineties”.

Popularised by commentators[1], this terminology captures the idea that batters with 90 or more runs become anxious about reaching (or not reaching) a century (100 runs).

Commentators and journalists (and Wikipedia[2]) often portray the nervous nineties as a problematic moment for batters. This anxiety, the story goes, leads to lost ability, slow run-scoring and timid play.

These ideas are intuitive – but are they correct?

In fact our new research, published today in PLOS ONE[3], shows batters approaching 100 runs typically increased their scoring rate (more runs per ball) and became more likely to score a boundary[4] (a four or a six), without being any more likely to get out than at any other point between 70 and 130 runs.

100 is not an arbitrary number

While cricket is a team sport, the individual accumulation of 100 runs is universally hailed as a major batting achievement.

Notably, 99 runs is an impressive individual total; yet in cricket culture, 99 is a world away from 100.

Watching a batter reach 100 runs reveals its significance. Jubilation and relief flood out, teammates stand and applaud, and crowds respond. Even nearby opponents offer congratulations.

A cricketer celebrating.
Jubilation and relief rush out when a batter reaches 100 – or here, when Tammy Beaumont reached 200. Tim Goode/PA via AP

Scoring centuries builds a batter’s reputation, while enhancing their legacy, their chance of team selection and, let’s not forget, their team’s chances of winning.

In stark contrast, getting out just short of a century is a bitter experience.

Beyond the disappointment, being dismissed in the 90s can attract stigma of mental weakness[5] (especially if repeated) and is widely considered “a failure to convert[6]”.

Who wouldn’t be nervous?

Read more: What cricket can teach us about the mind's experience of time – and how to deal with anxiety[7]

Challenges of realising success

Many people can think of a time when a desired achievement slipped through their fingers just when success seemed assured.

Humans have imperfect thought control and can experience unhelpful thoughts at inconvenient times[8], like pondering the consequences of failing when success is in sight.

The possibility of gaining or losing reputation is also a common source[9] of performance anxiety.

For athletes, performance anxiety places extra demands on the ability to execute precise actions.

Generally speaking, the anxious brain is thought to be less efficient[10] at perceiving relevant information in the environment, and at planning and executing movement[11].

To counteract this, performers need to apply coping strategies to maintain performance, such as the acceptance of negative thoughts[12] or directing their thoughts to a single focus[13], like the ball in cricket.

According to the mythology of the nervous nineties, these strategies could include more cautious behaviour to try to avoid getting out.

What does the data say?

In our new research, we examined data about every ball bowled in 712 men’s and women’s Test matches played between 2004 and 2022 (over 1.4 million deliveries).

In stark contrast to the colloquial phenomenon of the nervous nineties, we found batters in their 90s generally scored faster without increasing their chances of dismissal.

Importantly, accelerated scoring – that is, a progressive increase in the average runs per ball and the probability of a boundary – was uniquely large throughout the 90s when compared to the 70s, 80s and immediately after 100.

Some key examples from this year’s Ashes series bear out this finding. When Usman Khawaja brought up his century[14] in the first men’s Ashes Test of 2023, it was with a boundary.

When Ellyse Perry was caught out on 99 runs[15] in the women’s Test match, she was dismissed playing an aggressive shot destined for the fence – not exactly the timid play expected of the “nervous nineties” phenomenon.

In the background, a team celebrates. Perry walks away. Ellyse Perry was out after scoring 99 runs in this week’s Ashes Test. Tim Goode/PA via AP

In fact, Perry’s forceful batting is precisely the kind of playing our analysis predicts for those nearing a century.

And throughout the 90s, we estimated the probability of a batter getting out on any given score to be about 1.3% – much the same as throughout the 70s, 80s and just after 100.

Managing the nerves

We have come up with several explanations for the productive batting observed in the 90s.

Possibly, batters rush to escape their nervous discomfort by batting aggressively or with more urgency (such as running faster between the wickets).

The bowling team could also play a role. Bowling sides often try to limit run-scoring as batters near 100 by bringing fielders closer to the pitch, hoping to build pressure and encourage a mistake.

Ironically, a field packed tightly around the batter may offer a faster path to a century by leaving the boundary unprotected from any shot that passes through or over the infield.

A cricket pitch Travis Head celebrates scoring a century in the fifth Ashes Test in 2022. AAP Image/Darren England

While we can’t judge a batter’s emotional state from historical cricket data, we suspect many players are actually nervous when progressing from 90 to 100 runs. But we find no evidence the “nervous nineties” leads to widespread poor functioning or timid play.

International cricketers appear to typically manage any nerves and capitalise on the situation. It’s a fine example of coping among an elite population in a career-defining situation.

Read more: What Olympic athletes can teach us about regulating our emotions and staying dedicated[16]

Read more https://theconversation.com/cricket-commentators-love-to-talk-about-the-nervous-nineties-but-our-new-research-suggests-theres-no-such-thing-208027

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...