Bowling Figures in Cricket: How to Read a Bowler's Performance
Bowling figures in cricket show a bowler's overs, maidens, runs conceded, and wickets taken in a compact notation like 4-0-32-2, summarising their entire performance.
What Are Bowling Figures in Cricket?
Bowling figures are a compact way of recording a bowler's performance in a single innings. They are typically shown in the format: Overs-Maidens-Runs-Wickets, or O-M-R-W. For example, '12-3-48-3' means the bowler bowled 12 overs, 3 of which were maidens, conceded 48 runs, and took 3 wickets.
Reading Bowling Figures: The O-M-R-W Format
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| O (Overs) | Number of complete overs bowled |
| M (Maidens) | Number of overs in which no runs were scored |
| R (Runs) | Total runs conceded (including extras from their bowling) |
| W (Wickets) | Total wickets taken |
Calculating Economy Rate from Figures
Economy rate = Runs ÷ Overs. So '12-3-48-3' gives an economy rate of 48 ÷ 12 = 4.00 — four runs per over. Match figures (across both innings in a Test) are sometimes shown as separate innings figures, or combined.
Notable Bowling Figures in Test History
- Jim Laker 10/53 — all ten wickets in an innings, still a record (Australia, 1956)
- Anil Kumble 10/74 — only the second bowler to take all ten in a Test innings (Pakistan, 1999)
- Muttiah Muralitharan 9/51 — among the best innings figures by a spinner
Frequently asked questions
What are bowling figures in cricket?
Bowling figures record a bowler's performance in the format Overs-Maidens-Runs-Wickets (e.g. 12-3-48-3).
How do you read cricket bowling figures?
Read as overs bowled, maiden overs, runs conceded, wickets taken. The economy rate is runs divided by overs.
What is the best bowling figures in Test cricket history?
Jim Laker's 10/53 against Australia in 1956 — taking all ten wickets in an innings — is the best figures in Test history.