What this calculator does
Bowling average is runs conceded divided by wickets taken: how many runs a bowler gives up for each wicket. 450 runs for 18 wickets is an average of 25.00.
Lower is better, which is the opposite of the batting average that shares the name. Under 25 is very good in Test cricket, under 20 is exceptional, and above 35 suggests a bowler struggling at that level. The two averages using the same word in opposite directions is a lasting source of confusion for newcomers.
The formula
Runs conceded are divided by wickets taken. Nothing else enters into it: overs bowled, maidens and economy rate are separate measures. A bowler who takes no wickets has an undefined average, which is why the figure is only meaningful over a reasonable sample.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bowling average | Runs conceded per wicket taken. Lower is better. |
| Economy rate | Runs conceded per over, which measures containment rather than wicket-taking. |
| Strike rate | Balls bowled per wicket, which measures how quickly a bowler takes wickets. |
| The bowling triangle | Average, economy and strike rate together, since average alone can be reached by different routes. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Runs conceded | Runs conceded. |
| Wickets taken | Wickets taken. An average requires at least one. |
When to use it
Assessing a bowler career
Bowling average is the headline career figure and the one most often quoted in comparisons between eras and players.
Comparing formats
Averages differ substantially between Test, one-day and Twenty20 cricket, since the formats ask completely different things of a bowler.
Reading a scorecard
A bowler figures of 4 for 45 in a match contribute to the career average, and calculating the running figure shows the effect of a single performance.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How does wicket count change the average?
The same runs conceded against a range of wicket hauls.
Questions
What is a good bowling average?
In Test cricket, under 25 is very good and under 22 puts a bowler among the best of their generation. Around 30 is respectable, and above 35 suggests difficulty at that level. One-day and Twenty20 averages run higher because the formats favour the batter.
Why is a lower bowling average better?
Because it measures runs conceded per wicket, so a low figure means wickets came cheaply. It runs the opposite way to batting average, where runs per dismissal is the batter output and higher is better. The shared name is unfortunate.
What is the difference between average, economy and strike rate?
Average is runs per wicket, economy is runs per over, and strike rate is balls per wicket. A bowler can have a good average through either containment or wicket-taking, and the other two figures show which. Reading all three together is standard.
Does the average account for match situation?
No. Bowling on a flat pitch to set batters and bowling on a helpful surface count identically. This is a genuine limitation, and it is part of why era comparisons on bowling average alone are contested.
For batting scoring rate, see the batting strike rate calculator. For team run rate, see the net run rate calculator.