Get the right DLS target
A Duckworth–Lewis–Stern target depends on both remaining overs and wickets, as well as the timing of interruptions. Scaling the first innings score by the overs ratio is an average-run-rate calculation and is not DLS. This page does not issue a numerical DLS target.
For a match result, use the scoring implementation and edition required by the competition. Cricket Australia’s DLS calculator is one federation-provided tool. For competitions using Play-Cricket Scorer, follow the ECB’s in-game Duckworth Lewis instructions. Confirm that the tool and edition match your league rules before using a target on the field.
Information to collect
- The scheduled overs per innings and any reductions before play begins.
- The first innings runs, wickets and overs, including any interruption during that innings.
- For each interruption: the runs, wickets lost and legal balls completed at suspension, plus the revised overs allocation at resumption.
- Whether play will resume or the match is being terminated, and the minimum-overs requirements in the playing conditions.
- The DLS edition and competition-specific settings requested by the approved software.
Enter cricket overs notation carefully: 19.3 means 19 overs and 3 legal balls, not 19.3 decimal overs. Preserve the sequence of multiple interruptions rather than replacing it with one final overs total.
Par score and target
A par score represents a tie at the specified state of the innings. A winning target is one run above the applicable par score. A live par score can change with wickets and balls; it is not automatically the target for a newly shortened innings. Follow the scorer’s output for the specific match state.
Why an overs-only estimate is insufficient
Ten overs remaining with ten wickets available provide different scoring opportunities from ten overs with one wicket available. Interruptions in either innings can also change the resources available. The ECB’s DLS methodology explains the resource approach and the distinction between software editions. Historical Standard Edition material must not be treated as a current Professional Edition implementation.