Cricket Bowling Average Calculator
Average · Economy Rate · Strike Rate · Wickets per Match · Maiden %
Bowling Statistics Calculator
Formula: Runs Conceded ÷ Wickets Taken
Enter your bowling figures to compute all key stats at once.
Career Comparison Mode
Enter stats for two bowlers and compare them side by side.
🏏 Formula Reference
Bowling Average
Avg = Runs ÷ Wickets
Lower is better. Elite: < 20
Economy Rate
Econ = Runs ÷ Overs
Runs given per over bowled
Bowling Strike Rate
SR = Balls ÷ Wickets
Balls per wicket. Lower = better
Wickets per Match
WpM = Wickets ÷ Matches
Average wickets per match played
Maiden Over %
Maiden % = (Maidens ÷ Overs) × 100
Percentage of overs where no run was conceded
Cricket Bowling Statistics Explained
Cricket bowlers are evaluated through a rich set of statistics that reveal different aspects of their performance. Unlike batting averages — where higher is better — most bowling stats reward lower values. Understanding each metric helps fans, coaches, and analysts build a complete picture of a bowler's effectiveness across formats and careers.
Bowling Average
The bowling average is the most fundamental stat: it measures how many runs a bowler concedes, on average, for each wicket taken. A bowler who takes wickets cheaply will have a low average. It is the primary measure of a bowler's "value" to their team in the longer formats of the game.
Economy Rate
Economy rate (or bowling economy) shows how many runs a bowler concedes per over. In limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20s), economy is often more important than average because restricting scoring is a primary objective. A bowler can have a good average yet still be hammered — the economy rate captures this.
Bowling Strike Rate
Strike rate in bowling is the number of balls bowled per wicket. A low strike rate means the bowler takes wickets frequently. Great strike bowlers are invaluable in Test cricket where dismissing batters changes the match. In T20 formats, bowlers often trade off strike rate for economy.
Wickets per Match
This simple ratio tells you how many wickets a bowler averages each time they play. An elite Test bowler might average 5–8 wickets per match, while a specialist T20 bowler might average 1.5–2.5 per game. This stat is useful for comparing workhorses versus part-time bowlers.
Maiden Over Percentage
A maiden over is one in which no runs are scored off the bat. The maiden over percentage shows what fraction of a bowler's overs were maidens — a key measure of their ability to apply sustained pressure. This stat is most meaningful in Test and first-class cricket.
What is a Good Bowling Average?
Benchmarks vary considerably by format. In Test cricket, where conditions favour bowlers more, an average under 25 is considered very good. In ODIs and T20s, scoring rates are higher so averages tend to be higher.
| Stat | Excellent | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Average | < 20 | 20–25 | 25–30 | > 30 |
| Economy Rate (Test) | < 2.5 | 2.5–3.5 | 3.5–4.5 | > 4.5 |
| Economy Rate (ODI) | < 4.0 | 4.0–4.5 | 4.5–6.0 | > 6.0 |
| Economy Rate (T20) | < 6.5 | 6.5–8.0 | 8.0–9.5 | > 9.5 |
| Bowling Strike Rate | < 40 | 40–55 | 55–70 | > 70 |
All-Time Great Bowlers — Approximate Career Stats
The following table shows approximate career statistics for several legendary Test bowlers to give context to the numbers. These are general ranges based on widely known historical data.
| Bowler | Era | Style | Avg (approx.) | SR (approx.) | Econ (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Marshall | 1978–1991 | Right-arm fast | ~20 | ~46 | ~2.7 |
| Shane Warne | 1992–2007 | Right-arm leg-spin | ~25 | ~57 | ~2.6 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 1992–2010 | Right-arm off-spin | ~22 | ~55 | ~2.5 |
| Wasim Akram | 1985–2002 | Left-arm fast-medium | ~23 | ~54 | ~2.6 |
| Joel Garner | 1977–1987 | Right-arm fast | ~20 | ~51 | ~2.4 |
| Glenn McGrath | 1993–2007 | Right-arm fast-medium | ~21 | ~52 | ~2.5 |