Bowling average is the mirror image of batting average. Instead of runs per dismissal for a batter, it measures runs conceded per wicket taken for a bowler. The lower the number, the better: a bowler averaging 20 gives away 20 runs for every wicket, while one averaging 40 gives away twice as many. Enter runs conceded and wickets above to calculate it instantly.
How to use the bowling average calculator
- Enter the runs conceded by the bowler. Use the "R" column of the bowling scorecard, which already includes wides and no-balls charged to the bowler.
- Enter the wickets taken, the "W" column.
- Read the bowling average and the number of wickets per 100 runs conceded.
The bowling average formula
Bowling average = Runs conceded ÷ Wickets taken
The numbers must come from the bowler's own figures. Two rules matter:
Runs charged to the bowler
- Runs off the bat count against the bowler.
- Wides and no-balls are charged to the bowler, because they are the bowler's fault.
- Byes and leg-byes are not charged to the bowler. They go to extras, as the batter did not hit the ball off the bat.
- Penalty runs are added to the team total but are not charged to the bowler.
Wickets credited to the bowler
Under the MCC Laws, a bowler is credited with a wicket only when the batter is out bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket. Run outs, obstructing the field, timed out and retirements are not credited to any bowler, even though they count as team wickets.
Worked example
A seamer finishes a series with 18 wickets for 432 runs. Average = 432 ÷ 18 = 24.00. If they take three more wickets for 45 runs in the next match, the new average is 477 ÷ 21 = 22.71, an improvement because those wickets came at 15 runs each.
Real match example
Jim Laker – 19 wickets for 90
- First innings
- 9 for 37
- Second innings
- 10 for 53
- Match figures
- 19 for 90
- Match bowling average
- 90 ÷ 19 = 4.74
Laker's 19 wickets in one match is still the most by any bowler in a first-class match. Only one Australian wicket in the whole match went to another bowler.
Real match example
Anil Kumble – 10 for 74
- Figures
- 10 for 74
- Innings bowling average
- 74 ÷ 10 = 7.40
Kumble became only the second bowler, after Laker, to take all ten wickets in a Test innings. India won the match and drew the series.
What is a good bowling average?
- Test cricket: under 25 is outstanding, 25 to 30 is very good and 30 to 35 is solid. Spinners in bowler-friendly home conditions and fast bowlers in seaming conditions tend to post lower numbers.
- ODIs: under 25 is excellent; around 30 is good for most bowlers.
- T20s: averages usually sit between 18 and 30. Economy rate is often more important than average in this format.
Bowling average, strike rate and economy
Three numbers describe a bowler, and they are linked:
Bowling average = Economy rate × Strike rate ÷ 6
A bowler who concedes 3 runs per over (economy) and takes a wicket every 50 balls (strike rate) averages 3 × 50 ÷ 6 = 25. So a low average can come from being very hard to score off, from taking wickets often, or both. Looking at all three tells you what type of bowler you are dealing with.
Common mistakes
- Including byes and leg-byes. They are not the bowler's runs and inflate the average.
- Counting run outs as wickets. They are team wickets, not bowler wickets.
- Comparing tiny samples. A bowler with 2 for 10 has an average of 5, but two wickets tell you very little.
- Dividing by zero. With no wickets, the average does not exist. Scorecards show a dash.
Explore more bowling numbers
Compare bowlers with our player performance calculator, which works out average, economy and strike rate in one go. For the current leading wicket-takers, browse the ICC bowling rankings on CricketSky.
