Cricket Economy Rate Explained

What is economy rate?

Economy rate (sometimes called 'bowling economy' or simply 'economy') is the average number of runs a bowler concedes per over bowled. It is one of the three primary bowling statistics alongside wickets taken and bowling average. A lower economy rate means the bowler is more restrictive — conceding fewer runs per over — while a higher rate means the bowler is being hit more freely.

How is economy rate calculated?

Economy rate = Total runs conceded ÷ Total overs bowled. For example: a bowler who has conceded 240 runs in 40 overs has an economy rate of 240 ÷ 40 = 6.00 runs per over. Partial overs (e.g., 3 balls of an incomplete over) are calculated as fractions — 3 balls = 0.5 of an over (since an over is 6 balls). So 40 overs and 3 balls = 40.5 overs.

Economy rate vs bowling average

Bowling average (runs per wicket) and economy rate measure different things. A bowler can have an excellent average (takes wickets cheaply) but a poor economy rate (concedes many between wickets). Conversely, a containment specialist might have a superb economy rate but a high average — they rarely take wickets but cost very little. In Test cricket, average is the more important of the two; in T20 cricket, economy rate is often considered more valuable than average because every extra run conceded changes the match equation directly.

Best career economy rates in international cricket

In T20I cricket, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has one of the best economy rates in the format's history — consistently under 6.50 in a format where the average is around 8.00. Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan had an economy rate under 2.50 in Tests — among the best in the modern era. England's James Anderson has maintained a Test economy rate of approximately 2.96 across his career, exceptional for a pace bowler.