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When Muttiah Muralitharan retired in 2011 with 800 Test wickets at a bowling average of 22.72, cricket statisticians concluded they might never see a combination of volume and quality matched again. Muralitharan took a wicket every 22.72 runs conceded — a number that tells you more about sustained bowling excellence than almost any other single statistic. Compare that to the typical Test fast bowler who averages 28-35 runs per wicket, and Murali's figure becomes extraordinary: it means he conceded roughly six fewer runs per wicket than a good-but-not-great Test bowler, across 800 wickets. Bowling average is the total number of runs conceded divided by the total number of wickets taken. It answers the fundamental question: how many runs does a bowler typically concede before taking a wicket? Lower is always better. An average of 20 means a wicket costs only 20 runs; an average of 40 means the same wicket cost 40 runs — twice the resource expenditure. The metric has limitations. Bowling average is heavily influenced by the quality of batting faced, pitch conditions, and the fielding support behind the bowler. A bowler who concedes 30 runs for each wicket on a flat batting track in the subcontinent may be significantly more skilled than one who averages 25 on a seam-friendly English green-top. Contextual adjustment is essential for fair historical comparison. Bowling average also interacts critically with bowling economy (runs per over) and bowling strike rate (balls per wicket) to create a complete bowling profile. The greatest bowlers in history excel at all three simultaneously — they take wickets frequently (low strike rate), concede few runs while doing so (low average), and maintain low scoring rates per over (low economy). Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, and Muralitharan all achieved this treble throughout their Test careers.
Bowling Average Formula: Bowling Average = Total Runs Conceded / Total Wickets Taken Note: Wickets include all methods of dismissal credited to the bowler (bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, hit wicket). Run outs and obstructions are NOT credited as bowling wickets. Worked Example: Jasprit Bumrah's Test career (approximate through 2024): Runs conceded: 3,842 | Wickets: 175 Bowling Average = 3842 / 175 = 21.95 runs per wicket Interpretation: Elite Test average — global Test average is approximately 30-32 runs per wicket Related Metrics in Context: Economy Rate = Runs / Overs = 3842 / (175 x 43.7 balls/wicket / 6) ≈ 2.74 in Test (exceptional) Bowling SR = 175 x 43.7 = 7647 balls / 175 wickets = 43.7 balls per wicket Note: All three metrics together define the complete bowler profile
- 1Accumulate the total runs conceded by the bowler across all innings being analyzed, including all extras (wides and no-balls) charged to that bowler.
- 2Count the total wickets taken, including all credited dismissals: bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, and hit wicket. Exclude run-outs as these are not attributed to bowlers in official records.
- 3Divide total runs by total wickets to produce the bowling average — ensure both numerator and denominator cover the same set of matches for consistency.
- 4Apply a format-specific benchmark: Test bowling averages typically range 22-35 for quality bowlers; ODI averages 25-35; T20 averages 20-30 per wicket.
- 5Compare against position-specific and format-specific benchmarks — a leg-spinner's average should be compared to other leg-spinners in similar conditions, not to pace bowlers in seam-friendly English conditions.
- 6Weight recent seasons more heavily than historical data when evaluating whether a bowler's average is improving or declining over their career trajectory.
- 7Supplement bowling average with bowling strike rate and economy rate for a complete profile — a low average achieved via infrequent wickets (high bowling SR) may mask a bowler who struggles to take wickets regularly in crunch situations.
Muralitharan's combination of 800 wickets (record) at 22.73 average represents the statistical pinnacle of Test bowling: unmatched both in volume and quality over a 19-year career.
Starc's consistent wicket-taking across multiple World Cups with a sub-26 ODI average marks him as the dominant left-arm pace bowler of his generation in the 50-over format.
Young leg-spinners often post higher averages early in Test careers because they bowl more expensive deliveries while developing control. Shane Warne averaged 45+ in his first 10 Tests before refining his craft.
In T20 cricket, any bowling average below 25 represents excellent wicket-taking efficiency. Death specialists who take wickets at 24 runs apiece while operating in the most expensive phase of T20 cricket are extremely valuable.
ICC selection panels use bowling average as a primary filter alongside wickets per match when assembling Test squads and setting squad composition policies for major tours.. This application is commonly used by professionals who need precise quantitative analysis to support decision-making, budgeting, and strategic planning in their respective fields
Insurance and contract valuations for cricketers — used by franchise T20 leagues — incorporate bowling average thresholds as performance-linked contract clauses that activate bonus payments.. Industry practitioners rely on this calculation to benchmark performance, compare alternatives, and ensure compliance with established standards and regulatory requirements
Historical ranking systems (Wisden's 'Five Cricketers of the Century', ICC Hall of Fame voting) rely heavily on bowling average benchmarks when evaluating bowling careers for all-time recognition.. Academic researchers and students use this computation to validate theoretical models, complete coursework assignments, and develop deeper understanding of the underlying mathematical principles
University cricket analytics programmes (notably ICC High Performance Centres in India, England, and Australia) use bowling average trend analysis to design individualized coaching interventions for developing bowlers.. Financial analysts and planners incorporate this calculation into their workflow to produce accurate forecasts, evaluate risk scenarios, and present data-driven recommendations to stakeholders
When a bowler's wickets are below the minimum threshold (commonly 10 in most
When a bowler's wickets are below the minimum threshold (commonly 10 in most statistical rankings), their bowling average may appear deceptively low or high due to small sample size. Averages below 50 wickets should be treated as directional rather than definitive. When encountering this scenario in cricket bowling average calculations, users should verify that their input values fall within the expected range for the formula to produce meaningful results. Out-of-range inputs can lead to mathematically valid but practically meaningless outputs that do not reflect real-world conditions.
In matches on uncovered pitches (historical Test cricket pre-1970s) or
In matches on uncovered pitches (historical Test cricket pre-1970s) or extremely difficult spinning tracks, bowling averages were naturally much lower due to the exaggerated assistance to bowlers — direct comparison to modern-era averages is analytically problematic. This edge case frequently arises in professional applications of cricket bowling average where boundary conditions or extreme values are involved. Practitioners should document when this situation occurs and consider whether alternative calculation methods or adjustment factors are more appropriate for their specific use case.
Retirement wickets — where a bowler's figures credit wickets from a batsman who
Retirement wickets — where a bowler's figures credit wickets from a batsman who retires hurt rather than being dismissed — can very slightly improve a bowling average in rare cases, though this is uncommon at elite levels. In the context of cricket bowling average, this special case requires careful interpretation because standard assumptions may not hold. Users should cross-reference results with domain expertise and consider consulting additional references or tools to validate the output under these atypical conditions.
| Bowler | Country | Wickets | Runs Conceded | Average | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Barnes | England | 189 | 3106 | 16.43 | 1901-1914 |
| Charlie Turner | Australia | 101 | 1670 | 16.53 | 1887-1895 |
| Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | 376 | 7876 | 20.94 | 1978-1991 |
| Joel Garner | West Indies | 259 | 5433 | 20.97 | 1977-1987 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 800 | 18180 | 22.73 | 1992-2011 |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 373 | 8788 | 23.56 | 1989-2003 |
| Shane Warne | Australia | 708 | 17995 | 25.41 | 1992-2007 |
What is bowling average in cricket?
Bowling average is the total number of runs a bowler has conceded divided by the total number of wickets taken. It measures the cost of each wicket — a lower average means wickets are taken more cheaply. It is the most fundamental measure of bowling effectiveness alongside economy rate and bowling strike rate.
What is a good bowling average in Test cricket?
In Test cricket, a bowling average below 25 is elite; 25-30 is very good; 30-35 is good for a first-choice Test bowler; 35-40 is average; and above 40 suggests a bowler who is effective but expensive. The all-time Test bowling average leader among 200+ wicket takers is Muttiah Muralitharan at 22.73.
Who has the best bowling average in cricket history?
Among bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets, Muttiah Muralitharan (22.73) has the best average, followed by Shane Warne (25.41) and Malcolm Marshall (20.94, though Marshall's volume is lower at 376 wickets). Among bowlers with 100+ wickets, George Lohmann (10.75) and Johnny Briggs (15.28) have superior averages but played in the 19th century under very different conditions.
Is bowling average more important than economy rate?
The relative importance depends on format. In Test cricket, bowling average is generally considered more important because wickets are the mechanism for ending innings and winning matches. In T20 cricket, economy rate is often weighted more heavily because preventing runs in a short-form game is as tactically important as taking wickets. Ideally both are low.
How does batting support affect bowling average?
Superior fielding dramatically lowers bowling averages — every dropped catch or missed stumping adds runs conceded without adding wickets, inflating the average. This is why team quality significantly influences individual bowling averages, making direct cross-era comparisons difficult when fielding standards differed significantly. The process involves applying the underlying formula systematically to the given inputs. Each variable in the calculation contributes to the final result, and understanding their individual roles helps ensure accurate application.
What is the bowling average formula?
Bowling Average = Total Runs Conceded / Total Wickets Taken. Both the numerator (runs) and denominator (wickets) must cover the same set of matches. Run outs are excluded from bowling wickets. Extras (wides and no-balls) conceded by the bowler are included in runs conceded. In practice, this concept is central to cricket bowling average because it determines the core relationship between the input variables.
Does a bowler get credited for wickets on wides and no-balls?
No. Wickets that fall off wides or no-balls are not credited to the bowler in the bowling analysis — they count as extras but the delivery is not a legal ball, so neither the extra runs conceded nor the wicket (if a batsman is dismissed off such a delivery in certain ways) affects the bowling average. Wickets falling off legal deliveries are fully credited.
Pro Tip
When scouting bowlers for Test cricket selection, apply the three-metric test: bowling average below 28, bowling economy below 3.0, and bowling strike rate below 55. Any bowler who meets all three benchmarks is a world-class Test operator; finding all three together is rare enough that such bowlers should be prioritized above almost everything else in selection.
Did you know?
George Lohmann of England, who played from 1886 to 1896, has the lowest bowling average in Test history for bowlers with 50+ wickets — an astonishing 10.75 runs per wicket. However, he played exclusively against Australia in an era before helmets, before covered pitches, and often on unprepared surfaces that made batting brutally difficult. Context always matters.