Economy Rate in Cricket Bowling: What It Is and Why It Matters
Economy rate measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over. Learn the formula, what constitutes a good economy rate by format, and how it balances against wicket-taking.
What Is Economy Rate?
Economy rate is a bowling statistic that measures the average number of runs a bowler concedes per over. A low economy rate means the bowler is containing the batting side effectively; a high economy rate suggests they are being hit for runs. Economy rate is particularly critical in limited-overs cricket.
The Formula
Economy Rate = Total Runs Conceded ÷ Total Overs Bowled. For example, a bowler who concedes 48 runs from 10 overs has an economy rate of 4.8.
Good Economy Rate by Format
| Format | Good Economy | Excellent Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Test cricket | 2.0–3.0 | Below 2.0 (rare) |
| ODI cricket | 4.5–5.0 | Below 4.0 |
| T20 cricket | 7.0–8.0 | Below 6.5 |
Economy vs Strike Rate (Bowling)
Bowling strike rate measures balls per wicket (how frequently a bowler takes wickets), while economy rate measures runs per over. The combination of both — frequent wickets at low cost — defines elite bowling. Some bowlers have excellent economy but take wickets rarely; others take wickets regularly but concede plenty. The best combine both.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best economy rate in Test cricket?
Several legendary bowlers maintained career Test economy rates below 2.0. Sydney Barnes averaged under 2.0 across his Test career. Among modern bowlers, Glenn McGrath's economy of 2.49 across 124 Tests is considered excellent.
Does the economy rate include extras?
Yes. Wides and no-balls are credited to the bowler's figures and count in their economy rate calculation. This means an erratic bowler who bowls many wides will have a higher economy rate than their hit-only runs suggest.