Batting Average in Cricket: What It Measures and Its Limits
Batting average is runs scored divided by dismissals — the single most important statistic in evaluating a batter's quality, though not without limitations.
Batting average is the primary statistical measure of a batter's quality in cricket. It is calculated as total runs scored divided by number of times dismissed. Not out innings do not count as dismissals — if a batter scores 100 and finishes unbeaten, those 100 runs increase their average without adding to their dismissal count. A Test batting average above 40 is considered very good; above 50 is excellent; above 60 is elite. Don Bradman's 99.94 is the most famous number in sports statistics.
Calculation
Batting average = total runs ÷ number of dismissals (innings − not-outs). A batter who scores 1000 runs in 25 innings with 5 not-outs has an average of 1000 ÷ 20 = 50.00. The not-out adjustment means batters who bat lower in the order — and are frequently not out when the innings ends — can have averages that slightly overstate their ability to bat through an innings. Conversely, an opening batter with no not-outs has their average more directly reflect their batting quality.
Bradman's Average
Don Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 is statistically aberrant. The next-highest career average in Test history for players with 20+ innings is around 65. Bradman needed just 4 runs in his final Test innings (against England at The Oval in 1948) to retire with an average of 100. He was dismissed second ball for a duck — reportedly blinded by tears — leaving his average at 99.94. The 'duck for 100' story is one of cricket's most poignant.
Limitations
Batting average has well-known limitations: it doesn't account for the quality of bowling faced, pitch conditions, match situation (a meaningless declaration innings vs a match-saving century), innings position in the team, or strike rate. Modern analysis supplements average with impact metrics — how many runs did the batter score beyond what an average batter would have contributed in the same position? Despite these limitations, batting average remains the single most reliable summary of quality across a career.
Frequently asked questions
How is batting average calculated in cricket?
Batting average = total runs ÷ dismissals (innings minus not-outs). A batter who scores 1000 runs in 25 innings with 5 not-outs has an average of 1000 ÷ 20 = 50.00.
What is Don Bradman's batting average in Test cricket?
Don Bradman's Test batting average is 99.94 — the highest in cricket history. He needed 4 runs in his last Test innings to reach 100 but was dismissed for 0.