Bowling Average and Economy Rate in Cricket Explained
Bowling average measures runs per wicket; economy rate measures runs per over. Both matter for evaluating bowlers across formats. This guide explains the calculations and how to interpret them.
Three statistics measure bowlers: bowling average (runs per wicket), economy rate (runs per over) and bowling strike rate (balls per wicket). Together they give a comprehensive picture of a bowler's value. A bowler who takes wickets frequently (low average) and concedes runs slowly (low economy) is a complete bowler. In limited-overs cricket, economy rate often matters more than bowling average because wickets are less critical than run containment.
Bowling Average Explained
Bowling average = total runs conceded ÷ total wickets taken. A bowler who concedes 600 runs in taking 20 wickets has an average of 30.00 — meaning they cost 30 runs per wicket. Lower is better. In Test cricket, a career bowling average below 25 is elite — indicating the bowler takes wickets cheaply. The best Test bowlers in history — Sydney Barnes, George Lohmann — had averages in the teens; modern greats like Glenn McGrath averaged 21.
Economy Rate Explained
Economy rate = total runs conceded ÷ total overs bowled. A bowler who concedes 240 runs in 40 overs has an economy rate of 6.00 — meaning they concede 6 runs per over. Lower economy rates are better in Test cricket; in T20 cricket, an economy below 7.00 is considered good because of the nature of the format. Some bowlers are expensive but take many wickets (high economy, low average); others are parsimonious but rarely take wickets (low economy, high average).
Format Differences in Bowling Statistics
In T20 cricket, economy rate is usually the primary metric — a bowler who concedes 8 runs per over with 2 wickets is more valuable than one who concedes 10 per over with 3. In Tests, wicket-taking ability (bowling average and strike rate) takes precedence over economy. ODIs require a balance: the best ODI bowlers combine reasonable economy with regular wickets. Context — match situation, pitch and opposition quality — matters when reading any bowling statistic.
Frequently asked questions
Is a five-wicket haul always reflected in a better bowling average?
Not immediately, since averages accumulate over careers. A five-wicket haul that costs 100 runs actually raises a bowler's average if it is above their current average. A five-wicket haul for 40 runs improves the average. Averages are career-long figures; individual match performances can move them up or down depending on cost per wicket.
What is a good bowling economy rate in T20 cricket?
In T20 internationals, an economy rate below 7.50 is considered good. Elite T20 bowlers — particularly death bowlers — often have economy rates around 7.00-8.00 despite the attacking nature of the format. Spin bowlers in the middle overs typically have lower economy rates than pace bowlers at the death.