Bowling Average in Cricket — What It Is & Why It Matters
Bowling average = runs conceded ÷ wickets taken. It shows how many runs a bowler gives up per wicket. Lower is better. Learn how to read bowling figures, what a good average looks like by format, and how it differs from economy rate.
A bowler's average tells you how many runs they typically concede for every wicket they take. It is one of cricket's most fundamental bowling statistics — alongside economy rate and strike rate — and is the primary way to judge a bowler's effectiveness across long stretches of play.
How to calculate bowling average
Bowling Average = Total Runs Conceded ÷ Total Wickets Taken. A lower bowling average is better — it means the bowler takes wickets cheaply. A bowler who has conceded 300 runs and taken 15 wickets has a bowling average of 20.0.
What is a good bowling average?
| Format | Elite average | Good average | Average average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Under 22 | 22–28 | 28–35 |
| ODI | Under 25 | 25–32 | 32–38 |
| T20I | Under 20 | 20–26 | 26–30 |
Bowling average vs economy rate vs strike rate
| Statistic | Formula | What it measures | Lower = better? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Average | Runs ÷ Wickets | Cost per wicket | Yes |
| Economy Rate | Runs ÷ Overs | Runs per over conceded | Yes |
| Bowling Strike Rate | Balls ÷ Wickets | Balls per wicket | Yes |
Economy rate matters more in T20 cricket (can you restrict scoring?). Bowling average matters more in Test cricket (can you take wickets?). Strike rate tells you how quickly a bowler takes wickets regardless of how many runs they concede. A bowler with a great average but poor economy is taking wickets but being expensive — dangerous in limited-overs cricket.
All-time great bowling averages
- George Lohmann (England, Tests): 10.75 — the lowest ever
- Sydney Barnes (England, Tests): 16.43 — pre-modern era giant
- Dale Steyn (South Africa, Tests): 22.95 — best of modern era
- Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, Tests): 22.73 — 800 wickets
- Shane Warne (Australia, Tests): 25.41 — 708 wickets
- Jasprit Bumrah (India, Tests): 20.26 — best among active (2024)
Frequently asked questions
What is bowling average in cricket?
Bowling average is calculated by dividing total runs conceded by total wickets taken. It represents how many runs a bowler gives up for each wicket they claim. A lower bowling average is better — it means the bowler takes wickets at lower cost.
What is a good bowling average in Test cricket?
In Test cricket, a bowling average under 25 is considered excellent. The all-time leaders are under 20 (historical era) to around 22-25 for the modern era. Active bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah (around 20) and Kagiso Rabada (around 22) represent elite Test bowling averages.
Can bowling average be calculated per format?
Yes — bowling averages are always listed per format (Test, ODI, T20I). A bowler might have a Test average of 25 (excellent for the long format) and a T20I average of 22 (also good). Economy rate becomes more important in T20s; average matters more in Tests.