Graphical Statistics

Boxplot Analysis of the Cricket Data

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Europe. Outside the United States, cricket is the substitute for an American obsession with baseball. The two sports have many similarities, but cricket is considered to be a more complex game. There are two batsmen on the grounds (field) at all times. The bowler, similar to baseball's pitcher, bowls the ball towards the wicket behind the batsman. He tries to bowl the ball past the batsman and hit the wicket, but the batsman tries to protect his wicket and hit the ball. A run is scored when the ball is hit and both batsmen make it to the opposite wicket without either wicket being broken (see the image below for a better view of the grounds). For more information on the exciting game of cricket, visit America's Cricket Website.

Just as in baseball, each cricket player has batting statistics. In this activity, you will generate a boxplot to analyze the batting averages of the national Zimbabwe cricket team in 1998. Using the Boxplot Program and Instructions, construct a boxplot of the data to analyze the distribution of the points scored while paying close attention to outliers. You can also use a TI-83 calculator.

This data exists in two files: a Text format and a TI-83 Group file. You can either enter the data into your calculator's lists manually, or you may import the data.

Looking at the boxplot you have just created, are the data points distributed evenly? Which player's batting average, if any, is an outlier?

Original work on this document was done by Central Virginia Governor's School students Jared Edgar and Marie King (Class of '99).