Strike rate, economy rate and average: how cricket’s core statistics are calculated

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Strike rate, economy rate and average are the three numbers that summarise a player’s record on any scorecard. Strike rate measures how fast a batter scores, economy rate measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over, and average measures runs per dismissal for both batters and bowlers. The sections below give the formula and a worked example for each.

What is batting strike rate?

Batting strike rate is the number of runs a batter scores per 100 balls faced. A strike rate of 150 means 150 runs for every 100 balls, or 1.5 runs a ball.

Formula

Strike rate = (runs scored ÷ balls faced) × 100

Worked example

A batter scores 72 runs from 48 balls: (72 ÷ 48) × 100 = 150.00.

• Wides are not counted as balls faced; no-balls are, because the batter can score off them.

• A career strike rate uses total runs and total balls faced, not an average of innings strike rates.

What is bowling economy rate?

Economy rate is the average number of runs a bowler concedes per over. Lower is better; under 6 in a T20 or under 4.5 in an ODI is considered economical.

Formula

Economy rate = runs conceded ÷ overs bowled, with part overs converted to decimal balls (3.4 overs = 3.667 overs).

Worked example

A bowler concedes 26 runs in 3.4 overs: 26 ÷ 3.667 = 7.09.

• Byes and leg byes are not charged to the bowler; wides and no-balls are.

• Only legal deliveries count as balls bowled when converting part overs.

What is batting average?

Batting average is runs scored per dismissal. Not-out innings add runs but not a dismissal, which is why an average can be higher than a batter’s typical score.

Formula

Batting average = runs scored ÷ (innings batted − not outs)

Worked example

A batter has 540 runs from 15 innings with 3 not outs: 540 ÷ (15 − 3) = 45.00.

• A batter who has never been dismissed has no average; scorecards show it as a dash.

• Retired hurt counts as not out; retired out counts as a dismissal.

What are bowling average and bowling strike rate?

Bowling average is runs conceded per wicket, and bowling strike rate is balls bowled per wicket. Together they say how cheaply and how quickly a bowler takes wickets.

Formulas

• Bowling average = runs conceded ÷ wickets taken

• Bowling strike rate = balls bowled ÷ wickets taken

Worked example

A bowler has conceded 312 runs and bowled 276 balls for 13 wickets: average 312 ÷ 13 = 24.00, strike rate 276 ÷ 13 = 21.23.

• Run outs do not count as the bowler’s wickets; they are excluded from both figures.

• A bowler with no wickets has no average or strike rate.

Quick reference

Sources and last reviewed

• MCC Laws of Cricket (Law 18 scoring runs, Law 21 no ball, Law 22 wide ball, Law 23 bye and leg bye)

• ICC playing conditions (format-specific scoring rules)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026. Playing conditions are reviewed by the ICC each season and individual tournaments can publish their own. Re-check the sources above before relying on this page for a specific competition.

Related

• Player statistics and rankings — these formulas applied to current players

• How is Net Run Rate (NRR) calculated?

• Live scores — strike rate and economy update ball by ball during a match