What this calculator does
Strike rate in cricket measures speed rather than volume, and the definition flips depending on whether it is being applied to a batter or a bowler. A batter’s strike rate is how fast they score, while a bowler’s strike rate is how quickly they take wickets, and this calculator handles both with a mode switch.
Strike rate is often confused with other cricket statistics such as average or net run rate. Batting average measures how many runs a batter scores per dismissal, which says nothing about pace. Net run rate is a team-level differential used to separate sides level on points in a tournament table. Strike rate, batting or bowling, is specifically about tempo: runs per ball faced, or balls per wicket taken.
The formula
Batting strike rate is runs scored divided by balls faced, multiplied by 100, giving runs per 100 balls. Bowling strike rate is balls bowled divided by wickets taken, giving the average number of balls needed per wicket; unlike batting strike rate it is not multiplied by 100, and a lower bowling strike rate means a bowler is taking wickets faster.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Batting strike rate | Runs scored per 100 balls faced: (runs / balls faced) x 100. |
| Bowling strike rate | Balls bowled per wicket taken: balls bowled / wickets taken. |
| Economy rate | A related but different bowling statistic, measuring runs conceded per over rather than balls per wicket. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Strike rate type | Whether to calculate a batting or bowling strike rate. |
| Runs scored | Runs scored by the batter, used in batting mode. |
| Balls faced | Balls faced by the batter, used in batting mode. |
| Balls bowled | Total balls bowled by the bowler, used in bowling mode. |
| Wickets taken | Wickets taken by the bowler, used in bowling mode. |
When to use it
Comparing batters across formats
A strike rate of 90 is considered fast in a five-day Test match but slow in Twenty20, so the same figure means very different things depending on the format being played.
Assessing a strike bowler’s wicket-taking pace
A lower bowling strike rate shows a bowler is taking wickets more frequently relative to balls sent down, which is the usual way strike bowlers are distinguished from containing bowlers who prioritise economy instead.
Setting a personal or team benchmark over a season
Tracking strike rate innings by innings, or spell by spell for a bowler, shows whether tempo is trending up or down over a season, separate from the runs or wickets totals themselves.
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 batting strike rate change with the balls faced, at a fixed 75 runs?
The same 75-run innings, faced off a range of ball counts.
| Balls faced | Batting strike rate | Runs per over (equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 187.5 | 11.25 |
| 50 | 150.0 | 9.00 |
| 60 | 125.0 | 7.50 |
| 75 | 100.0 | 6.00 |
| 90 | 83.3 | 5.00 |
| 100 | 75.0 | 4.50 |
Questions
What is a good batting strike rate?
It depends heavily on the format. In Test cricket, a strike rate in the 40s or 50s is common for a settled innings. In one-day cricket, the 80s to 100s is typical. In Twenty20, strike rates well above 130 are expected from top-order batters.
Why is a lower bowling strike rate better?
Bowling strike rate counts balls needed per wicket, so fewer balls per wicket means the bowler is taking wickets faster. This is the opposite direction from batting strike rate, where a higher number is better.
Is strike rate the same as batting average?
No. Batting average is runs scored per dismissal and reflects how long a batter typically lasts at the crease. Strike rate is runs per 100 balls and reflects how fast they score while they are there. A batter can have a high average and a modest strike rate, or the reverse.
How is strike rate different from net run rate?
Strike rate is an individual statistic for a specific batter or bowler. Net run rate is a team-level figure used in tournament tables to separate teams tied on points, calculated from overall scoring and conceding rates rather than any one player’s figures.
For the team-level statistic used to separate sides on a tournament table, see the net run rate calculator.