Cricket Bowling Average Calculator
Enter runs conceded, wickets taken and overs bowled to get your cricket bowling average, economy rate and strike rate in one click. Choose your format (Test, ODI or T20) and see exactly how your figures compare to international benchmarks, with a step-by-step breakdown of the math and a visual rating on a performance gauge.
Formula
Worked example
A bowler concedes 250 runs and takes 10 wickets in 60 overs: Bowling average = 250/10 = 25.0. Economy = 250/60 = 4.17 runs/over. Strike rate = 360 balls/10 = 36.0 balls per wicket.
What is bowling average in cricket?
Bowling average is the most widely used measure of a bowler's effectiveness in cricket. It is calculated by dividing the total runs conceded by the number of wickets taken. A lower number is better because it means the bowler takes wickets cheaply. A bowler who concedes 250 runs and takes 10 wickets has an average of 25, meaning they give away 25 runs on average each time they dismiss a batter. In Test cricket, anything below 25 is considered excellent at the international level, while averages under 20 are truly exceptional and rare even among the all-time greats.
Economy rate and strike rate - the other two pillars
The bowling average alone does not tell the whole story. Two companion metrics fill in the gaps. Economy rate measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over bowled, regardless of whether any wickets fall. It matters most in limited-overs cricket, where controlling the run rate is as important as taking wickets. Strike rate measures how many balls a bowler needs to bowl before taking a wicket, making it the best indicator of how dangerous a bowler is at any given moment. The mathematical relationship between the three stats is: bowling average = economy rate multiplied by strike rate, divided by 6. This means a bowler can improve their average either by bowling more economically or by taking wickets more frequently, or both.
Format benchmarks: Test, ODI and T20
Performance benchmarks differ significantly across the three main formats because conditions, pitch preparation and scoring rates vary so widely. In Test cricket, where matches last up to five days, a bowling average under 25 is excellent and under 20 is world class. Economy rates under 3.0 runs per over are very good in Tests. In ODIs (50 overs per side), scoring is much faster and an economy rate of under 5.0 is the benchmark for excellence, with a bowling average under 30 considered strong. T20 is the most run-friendly format: an economy rate under 7.5 is excellent, and a bowling average under 18 is world class because wickets are harder to take consistently when batters are always on the attack. This calculator shows the format-appropriate rating so you always have the right context.
How to use overs in decimal notation
Cricket overs are counted in a mixed notation: the digit before the decimal point is the number of complete overs, and the digit after the decimal is the number of additional balls in the incomplete over. For example, 12.4 means 12 full overs and 4 more balls, which is 76 balls in total (12 x 6 + 4). The value after the decimal point can only be 0 to 5 because each over has 6 balls. Entering 12.7 would be invalid. This calculator converts the overs input into balls automatically before calculating your economy rate and strike rate.
All-time Test bowling averages (200+ wickets)
| Bowler | Country | Wickets | Average | Strike rate | Economy | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Lohmann | England | 112 | 10.75 | 34.1 | 1.89 | Medium |
| Sydney Barnes | England | 189 | 16.43 | 41.7 | 2.36 | Fast-medium |
| Clarrie Grimmett | Australia | 216 | 24.21 | 67.2 | 2.16 | Leg spin |
| Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | 376 | 20.94 | 46.8 | 2.68 | Fast |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 563 | 21.64 | 51.9 | 2.49 | Fast-medium |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 800 | 22.72 | 55 | 2.47 | Off spin |
| Shane Warne | Australia | 708 | 25.41 | 57.4 | 2.65 | Leg spin |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 414 | 23.62 | 54.7 | 2.59 | Fast-left-arm |
Career figures for some of the most economical Test bowlers of all time, showing that averages under 25 are considered elite at the highest level.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good bowling average in cricket?
It depends on the format. In Test cricket, under 25 is excellent and under 20 is world class. In ODIs, under 30 is very good and under 25 is excellent. In T20 cricket, under 22 is excellent and under 18 is elite. Context matters too: a spinner bowling on dry, turning pitches will naturally average less than a seamer on flat wickets, so comparing players within the same format and conditions gives the most meaningful comparison.
What is the difference between bowling average and economy rate?
Bowling average measures the cost of each wicket (runs per wicket), while economy rate measures the overall run rate (runs per over), regardless of whether wickets fall. A bowler can have a great economy rate (very tight and hard to score off) but a high average if they rarely take wickets. Conversely, a strike bowler might take wickets regularly but leak runs between dismissals, giving a high economy but low average. The best bowlers keep both numbers low.
How is bowling strike rate different from batting strike rate?
They measure opposite things. Batting strike rate is runs per 100 balls (higher is better for batters). Bowling strike rate is balls bowled per wicket taken (lower is better for bowlers). A bowling strike rate of 35 means the bowler takes a wicket every 35 balls on average. Elite Test bowlers like Malcolm Marshall and Glenn McGrath averaged strike rates in the 45-55 range over long careers.
Can you have a bowling average with zero wickets?
No. Bowling average is mathematically undefined when wickets taken is zero because you cannot divide by zero. A bowler who concedes runs without taking wickets is said to have "figures of 0 for X" (e.g. 0 for 45), but no average can be calculated. Most statistical guides leave the average blank or record it as a dash in this case. This calculator requires at least one wicket to produce a result.
Who has the lowest bowling average in Test cricket?
George Lohmann of England holds the record for the lowest bowling average among bowlers with enough wickets to qualify: he took 112 wickets at an average of just 10.75 in the 1880s and 1890s. Among more modern players, Sydney Barnes (16.43 average, 189 wickets) is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers who ever lived. Among players with 200 or more wickets, these two remain in a class of their own.
Does the bowling average include extras?
It depends on the statistical convention used. The standard match scorecard includes wides and no-balls in the runs attributed to the bowler, which is how most official statistics bodies calculate it. Byes and leg-byes are charged to the fielding side and are not included. This calculator follows the standard approach: enter the runs as listed on the scorecard, which typically includes wides and no-balls.
How does bowling average relate to economy and strike rate?
The three metrics are linked by a simple equation: bowling average = (economy rate x strike rate) divided by 6. For example, if a bowler's economy is 3.0 and their strike rate is 50, their bowling average is (3.0 x 50) / 6 = 25.0. This means you can always cross-check your results, and it shows that improving either your economy or your strike rate (or both) will automatically lower your bowling average.