Cricket Batting Average Records — The Greatest Averages in History
Exploring the highest batting averages in Test and ODI cricket history — who holds the records, why averages matter, and the players who defied statistical gravity.
Don Bradman's 99.94
Don Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 is the most famous individual statistic in cricket. He scored 6,996 runs in 80 innings at an average more than 40 runs higher than the next best in history. Bradman was dismissed for a duck in his final innings at The Oval in 1948 — needing only 4 runs to finish with an average of exactly 100. The statistical gap between Bradman and every other batter in history is unique in sport.
The 50 Average Benchmark
In modern Test cricket, a batting average of 50+ is considered elite. At the time of writing, fewer than 30 players in Test history have maintained an average above 50 across a meaningful career (20+ Tests). Steve Smith (58+), Virat Kohli (49+), and Kane Williamson (54+) are current-era batters who have come closest to the elite 50+ threshold.
ODI Batting Averages
In ODI cricket, the all-time batting average leaders include MS Dhoni (50.57 across 350 innings), AB de Villiers (53.50 across 218 innings), and Virat Kohli (57.32 across 254 innings as of 2023). ODI averages are harder to maintain than Test averages because the format demands scoring at a run rate rather than purely survival, creating more risk.
T20I Batting Averages
T20I averages are less meaningful than Test or ODI averages because innings are shorter and not-outs are more frequent. The metric used in T20 analysis is more typically strike rate (runs per 100 balls) rather than average. Players like Virat Kohli (52.73 T20I average) and Babar Azam (40+) lead T20I averages, but their strike rates define their T20I standing as much as runs scored.
Frequently asked questions
What is Don Bradman's Test batting average?
Don Bradman's Test batting average is 99.94 — scored across 6,996 runs in 80 innings over 52 Tests. It is the most celebrated individual statistic in cricket history.
What is considered a good batting average in Test cricket?
A batting average above 40 is considered very good in Test cricket; above 50 is elite, achieved by fewer than 30 players in history. An average above 40 usually indicates a batter who can score consistently even in difficult conditions.
Who has the highest ODI batting average of all time?
As of 2024, Virat Kohli leads active players and is among the top all-time ODI average holders. AB de Villiers (53.50) and Michael Bevan (53.58) have historically been among the highest sustained ODI averages.