Bowling Average Calculator
Analyze bowling performance with Average, Strike Rate, and Economy Rate metrics.
Bowling Metrics Explained
Bowling Average: The primary measure of a bowler's skill, representing the cost of each wicket. Runs / Wickets
Strike Rate: Measures how often a bowler takes a wicket. Crucial for strike bowlers. Balls / Wickets
Economy Rate: Measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over. Vital in limited-overs cricket. Runs / Overs
🌟 Benchmarks
- Test Avg: < 25 is excellent
- ODI Econ: < 5.0 is excellent
- T20 Econ: < 7.5 is solid
- Strike Rate: < 50 is elite
📐 The Formula Link
Average = Economy × Strike Rate ÷ 6. This mathematical relationship means improving one metric often affects others.
Greatest Test Bowlers by Average
Compare your bowling statistics against the all-time greats. This table shows bowlers with minimum 200 Test wickets - an exclusive club of sustained excellence.
Bowling Average Standards by Format
Bowling averages vary significantly across formats due to different game dynamics. Use these benchmarks to evaluate performance in context.
🏏 Test Cricket
🏆 ODI Cricket
⚡ T20 Cricket
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Wickets Taken
Input your total wickets. This is required for calculating bowling average and strike rate. Must be at least 1.
Enter Runs Conceded
Input total runs given away while bowling. Combined with wickets, this gives your bowling average.
Add Overs (Optional)
Enter overs in standard notation (e.g., 25.4 means 25 overs and 4 balls). This enables economy and strike rate calculations.
View Results
Click Calculate Stats to see your bowling average, economy rate, and strike rate with format-specific benchmarks.
Understanding the Three Key Metrics
Bowling Average
The gold standard for measuring bowling effectiveness. It tells you how many runs a bowler "costs" per wicket taken.
Best for: Evaluating overall career performance and comparing bowlers across eras. Lower is always better.
Economy Rate
Crucial in limited-overs cricket. Shows how many runs are scored per over bowled. Defensive bowlers prioritize this.
Best for: T20/ODI selection, death bowling analysis, and pressure situations. Lower = more economical.
Strike Rate
Measures wicket-taking frequency. Shows how many balls it takes on average to claim a wicket. Strike bowlers excel here.
Best for: Identifying strike bowlers, new ball partnerships, and breakthrough potential. Lower = more penetrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bowling Average in cricket?
Bowling Average is the number of runs a bowler concedes for every wicket they take. Formula: Runs Conceded / Wickets Taken. Lower is better. For example, if a bowler concedes 2500 runs and takes 100 wickets, their average is 25.00.
What is Bowling Strike Rate?
Bowling Strike Rate is the number of balls a bowler bowls for every wicket taken. Formula: Balls Bowled / Wickets Taken. Lower is better. A strike rate under 50 in Tests is considered excellent - it means the bowler takes a wicket every 8-9 overs on average.
What is Economy Rate in cricket?
Economy Rate measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over. Formula: Runs Conceded / Overs Bowled. In T20s, under 7.5 is good. In ODIs, under 5.0 is excellent. In Tests, under 3.0 shows exceptional control.
What is a good Bowling Average in Test cricket?
In Test cricket: under 20 is world-class (only 12 bowlers in history with 200+ wickets), under 25 is excellent, under 30 is good, 30-35 is average. The all-time best is George Lohmann with 10.75 (minimum 100 wickets).
How do bowling averages differ between formats?
Test averages are typically lowest (20-30 for good bowlers) due to longer innings. ODI averages run 25-35. T20 averages are highest (20-30 is excellent) because batters attack more freely and bowlers bowl fewer overs to get set.
Who has the best bowling average in cricket history?
In Tests (minimum 200 wickets): Malcolm Marshall (20.94), Joel Garner (20.97), and Curtly Ambrose (20.99). Among current players, Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah have averages around 22-23.
What is the relationship between average, strike rate, and economy?
These three metrics are mathematically linked: Average = Economy × Strike Rate / 6. A bowler cannot have excellent figures in all three - a defensive bowler may have low economy but high strike rate, while a strike bowler may have low average/strike rate but higher economy.
Why do spinners often have higher averages than fast bowlers?
Spinners typically bowl more overs in Tests and are often used defensively to control runs. Fast bowlers bowl in shorter spells when the ball is newer and conditions favor them. However, elite spinners like Murali (22.72) and Warne (25.41) had excellent averages.