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Formula
BA = (Runs Conceded ÷ Wickets Taken)
How to use this calculator
- Enter the total runs conceded by the bowler across all innings or the period being measured
- Enter the total number of wickets taken by the bowler in the same period
- Click “Calculate Result” to get the bowling average instantly
- Use the reset button to clear all fields and calculate for a different bowler or match
- Copy or share the bowling average result directly from the result panel
What is Bowling Average in Cricket?
Bowling average in cricket is the total number of runs conceded by a bowler divided by the total number of wickets taken. It is the primary measure of a bowler’s effectiveness — indicating how many runs it costs to take each wicket. A lower bowling average means a bowler takes wickets cheaply, while a higher average indicates the bowler is expensive relative to their wicket-taking. In Test cricket, a bowling average below 25 is considered elite. In T20 cricket, averages below 20 across a tournament are excellent.
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FAQs on Bowling Average
Bowling average in cricket is the total runs conceded by a bowler divided by the total number of wickets taken. For example, a bowler who concedes 240 runs and takes 12 wickets has a bowling average of 20.00, meaning they concede 20 runs per wicket. A lower bowling average indicates a more effective bowler who takes wickets without giving away too many runs.
A good bowling average varies by format. In Test cricket, a bowling average below 25 over a sustained career is considered elite — the best Test bowlers in history have maintained averages between 18 and 25. In ODI cricket, a bowling average below 28 is strong. In T20 cricket, averages below 20 in a tournament are excellent given the aggressive nature of batting. For club and domestic cricket, a bowling average below 20 generally indicates an effective wicket-taking bowler.
Bowling average measures runs conceded per wicket taken — it reflects how cost-effective a bowler is at taking wickets. Bowling economy measures runs conceded per over bowled — it reflects how tightly a bowler restricts the scoring rate regardless of wickets. A bowler can have a low economy (very tight) but a high average (takes wickets expensively), or a low average (cheap wickets) but a higher economy (slightly more runs per over). Both metrics together give a full picture of bowling performance.
Bowling averages are typically higher in T20 cricket and lower in Test cricket. In T20s, batters score aggressively against all bowlers, so even top bowlers concede more runs per wicket than in longer formats. In Test cricket, wickets are harder to come by but run rates are lower, which can result in lower averages for quality bowlers. This is why comparing bowling averages across formats without context can be misleading — a T20 average of 22 may be outstanding while the same figure in Test cricket is merely solid.
George Lohmann of England holds the lowest bowling average in Test cricket history at 10.75, though this was achieved in the 19th century under very different conditions. Among bowlers with significant careers in the modern era, Sydney Barnes (16.43), Shane Warne (25.41), Muttiah Muralitharan (22.72), and Dale Steyn (22.95) are among the all-time greats with outstanding bowling averages sustained across long Test careers.
A very low bowling average from a very small sample of wickets can be misleading. A bowler who takes 2 wickets for 20 runs has an average of 10, which looks elite — but from just two wickets, this tells us very little about their actual quality. Bowling average is most meaningful when calculated over at least 50–60 wickets in Test cricket or 20+ wickets in shorter formats. A small sample of wickets can produce extreme averages in both directions.
To use bowling average for team selection, calculate the bowling average for each bowler in your squad over the same period — same tournament, same format, or same conditions. The bowler with the lower average is generally more cost-effective at taking wickets. However, also consider bowling economy for limited-overs formats, where a slightly higher average but very low economy may be more valuable than cheap wickets that still cost runs.
Yes, bowling average matters in T20 cricket but must be read alongside bowling economy and strike rate. A T20 bowler with a low average (takes wickets cheaply) is valuable because wickets change match momentum. However, a bowler who concedes only 6 runs per over but rarely takes wickets may be equally valuable in protecting totals. The best T20 bowlers combine a low economy rate with a low average — they restrict scoring and take wickets, making them match-winners in both innings phases.