The USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group is a hub dedicated for data analytics projects in sports.
We are a group of academics, postgraduate and undergraduate students who are passionate about applying analytics to solve diverse problems arising from various sports.
About
The USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group is the first ever research group in Sri Lanka formed to conduct research, dedicated to sports analytics. It was originally launched with the aim of supporting university students who are interested in engaging in research that applies statistics to solve various research problems related to sports. Another goal of the group is to popularize and promote sports analytics research in Sri Lanka. Our research group harnesses a wealth of expertise in statistics, data science, and sports science through the Department of Statistics itself and its collaborators.
Research areas
To date the group has initiated/conducted several projects related to cricket, Soccer, Volleyball, Taekwondo, and other sports. These projects focused on:
- Improving player/team performance of ODI batters.
- Improving player/team performance of Test batters.
- Ranking of Taekwondo players.
- In-game prediction in Volleyball
- Evaluating the impact of different strategies adopted by badminton players.
- Evaluating the impact of different strategies adopted by Swimmers.
People
The USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group is led by Dr. Rajitha M. Silva.
Academics:
Dr. Chitraka Wickramarachchi
Dr. Niroshan Withanage
Dr. Chathuri Jayasinghe
Collaborators:
- Prof. Tim Swartz, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
- Associate Professor Anthony Bedford, Senior Performance Analyst, ISPAS Level 5, Racing and Sports Statistician, Australia.
- Associate Professor Martí Casals, National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona. Sport and Physical Activity Studies Center (CEEAF), University of Vic
- Assistant Professor Tianyu Guan, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Brock University, Canada
- Dr. Harsha Perera, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
- Dr. M. K. A. Ariyaratne, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, USJ, Sri Lanka.
- Ms. Dovini Jayasinghe, Department of Mathematics, USJ, Sri Lanka.
- Mr. Kusal De Silva, Faculty of Graduate Studies, USJ, Sri Lanka.
- Mr. Dilshan Priyadarshana, Department of Physical Education, USJ, Sri Lanka
- Department of Sports Science, USJ, Sri Lanka.
Projects:
Details of projects recently completed/currently being undertaken by the USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group:
2021/2022
- Survival analysis in Sports
- C. Jayasinghe, R. M. Silva
2020
- A biomechanical analysis of upper body anthropometries involved in forehand overhead smash in badminton
- W. R. I. Fernando, R. M. Silva, W. N. N. K. Perera
- A biomechanical study of lower body power on push start in swimming
- P. M. V. S. Perera, R. M. Silva, W. N. N. K. Perera
- Analysis of attacking game patterns of top and bottom teams in Dialog Rugby League
- W. P. Wickramasinghe, C. Wickramarachchi
2019
- Player Ranking in Taekwondo: A Bayesian Elo Rating System.
- T. S. N. Peiris and R.M. Silva
- An Investigation of Survival Abilities of Opening Batsmen in One-Day International Cricket
- S. S. S.Kottearachchi, C. L. Jayasinghe, R. M. Silva
2018
- Bayesian Logistic Regression Approach for In-Game Prediction in Volleyball
- N.A.K.S.R. Kumara, R. M. Silva
2017
- An analysis of batting consistency in ODI Cricket using one-sided EWMA control chart
- K.K.D.S. De Silva, R. M. Silva
Consult us
The USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group can assist players and coaches/clubs to help their players/teams to reach their full potential by providing scientific solutions to their problems through application of statistics/data science and development of software solutions.
Publications
Details of projects recently completed/currently being undertaken by the USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group:
- De Silva, D., Silva, R., & Jayasinghe, C. (2022). A Study of Batting out-of-form in One-Day International Cricket. Studies Of Applied Economics, 40(1). doi: 10.25115/eea.v40i1.7041
- Kottearachchi, S., Jayasinghe, C., & Silva, R. (2022). An Investigation of Survival Abilities of Opening Batsmen in One-Day International Cricket. Studies Of Applied Economics, 40(1). doi: 10.25115/eea.v40i1.7045
- Silva, R. M., Jayasinghe, C.L., Jayasinghe, D.Y., De Silva, L.H.K.P. (2021) On ball-wise survival of a modern Test batter, in preparation.
- Peiris, T. S. N. and Silva, R. M. (2020) Player Ranking in Taekwondo: A Bayesian Elo Rating System.
- Perera, P.M.V.S., Silva, R.M. and Perera, W.N.N.K. (2019) A Study on the Push Start in Swimming: Relationship with Lower Body Anthropometric Measurements.
- Fernando, W.R.I., Silva, R.M. and Perera, W.N.N.K. (2019) A Study of Forehand Overhead Smash in Badminton: Relationship with Upper Body Anthropometrics.
- Kumara, N.A.K.S.R., Silva, R.M. (2018) Bayesian Logistic Regression Approach for In-Game Prediction in Volleyball.
- Silva, R., Davis, J. and Swartz, T.B. (2018). The evaluation of pace of play in hockey . Journal of Sports Analytics, 4(2), 145-151.
- De Silva, K.K.D.S., Silva, R.M. (2017) An analysis of batting consistency in ODI Cricket using one-sided EWMA control chart.
- Silva, R., Perera, H., Davis, J. and Swartz, T.B. (2016). Tactics for Twenty20 cricket . South African Statistical Journal, 50(2), 261-271.
- Silva and Swartz, T.B. (2016). Analysis of substitution times in soccer . Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 12(3), 113-122.
- Silva, R., Manage, B.W. and Swartz, T.B. (2015). A study of the powerplay in one-day cricket . European Journal of Operational Research, 244(3), 931-938.
Resources
Introductory video : https://youtu.be/14sPvZY_AkI
Events and Achievements
1. Invited talk at EDEX HYBRID EXPO 2022
EDEX HYBRID EXPO 2022 was held on 26th-27th March, 2022 at Royal MAS Arena with the aim of providing Sri Lankan students with an unique opportunity to learn about local and global education for the first time though both physical and virtual platforms. As usual it brought Sri Lankan students a plethora of choices, options and opportunities to pursue their higher education aspirations. This time, attendees at the expo on the 27th got a golden opportunity to listen to Dr. Rajitha M. Silva, Dr. Chitraka Wickramarachchi and Mr. Janith Wanniarachchi of Department of Statistics, USJ on a live platform on “Data Analytics and Applications in Sports”. Dr. Chitraka elaborated on Data Analytics and why it is imperative to use data analytics to make informed decisions and evidence based decision making. Dr. Rajitha then went on to speak about how data analytics can be applied and has been applied to find answers to scientific questions in sports and thereby make effective decisions. Mr. Janith, a final year BSc (honours in Statistics) student at the department, talked about netball analytics and also demonstrated an app that was developed recently by the Sports analytics research group, USJ before closing the session.
2. SILK Most Outstanding Sports Research Project of the Year award
The Statistics in Sports Research Group at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has been awarded the SILK Most Outstanding Sports Research Project of the Year award at the 8th SILK SPORTS AWARDS 2022. This highly prestigious event, organized by SPORTSINFO, recognizes the achievements of Sri Lankan sports stars and contributors who uplift the sports in Sri Lanka and ensure its future.
For more information: https://www.sjp.ac.lk/news/the-usj-statistics-in-sports-research-group-wins-silk-most-outstanding-sports-research-project-of-the-year-award/
3. A talk on “Sports Analytics” at the Science Day program – Ruwanwella Rajasingne College
Dr. Rajitha M. Silva was invited as the chief guest for the Science Day program organized by the Ruwanwella Rajasinghe College on October 04th, 2023. The guest talk was on “Sports Analytics”.
4. Radio Program on “Sports Analytics”
Dr. Rajitha M. Silva and Dr. Harsha Perera (SFU – Canada) were invited for Lakhanda “Kelibima” (ලක්හඩ – කෙළිබිම) radio program on 09th December, 2023 to share their expert knowledge in Sports Analytics researches.
Contact us
Visit us
Address: Department of Statistics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Location: Third floor, NFC Building, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Phone: +94 11 2 758 905
Postal Address
USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group
(c/o Dr. Rajitha M. Silva)
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Gangodawila, Nugegoda,
Sri Lanka
Key contact
Dr. Rajitha M. Silva – Coordinator, USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Email: rsilva@sjp.ac.lk