3.4 overs, 31 runs, 2 wickets
3.4 overs = 22 balls. Economy 31 × 6 ÷ 22 = 8.45; average 31 ÷ 2 = 15.5; strike rate 22 ÷ 2 = 11.
Bowling economy, average and strike rate calculator
overs
Overs.balls, as on a scorecard: 14.3 = 14 overs 3 balls.
runs
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overs
Overs.balls, as on a scorecard: 14.3 = 14 overs 3 balls.
runs
Economy rate
8.45
8.45 runs an over from 3.4 overs (22 balls).
- Bowling average
- 15.5
- Strike rate (balls a wicket)
- 11
How we got this
- 3.4 overs = 22 balls
- Economy: 31 × 6 ÷ 22 = 8.45
- Average: 31 ÷ 2 = 15.5
- Strike rate: 22 ÷ 2 = 11
↓ lower is better. Each axis is scaled to the better of the two players.
Reading the three bowling numbers together
Economy shows how hard a bowler is to score off. Average and strike rate show how often and how cheaply they take wickets.
A bowler can have a fine economy and still be expensive per wicket. Use the radar chart to compare two bowlers, and the batting calculator for the other side of the game.
Economy rate by format
Economy is runs conceded per six legal balls. What counts as good shifts with the format, so the table shows the same spells in each.
| Spell | Runs | Economy | T20 read | ODI read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 overs (T20 quota) | 24 | 6.00 | good | par |
| 4 overs | 32 | 8.00 | par | expensive |
| 4 overs | 44 | 11.00 | expensive | expensive |
| 10 overs (ODI quota) | 42 | 4.20 | good | good |
| 10 overs | 55 | 5.50 | good | par |
| 3.4 overs | 31 | 8.45 | par | expensive |
Economy at 6, 8 and 10 an over
| Economy | 2 overs | 4 overs | 10 overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 an over | 12 | 24 | 60 |
| 8 an over | 16 | 32 | 80 |
| 10 an over | 20 | 40 | 100 |
A worked scorecard example
A scorecard reads 3.4–0–31–2. That is 3 overs and 4 balls, 22 legal balls, 31 runs and 2 wickets.
Economy = 31 × 6 ÷ 22 = 8.45. Average = 31 ÷ 2 = 15.50 runs a wicket. Strike rate = 22 ÷ 2 = 11.00 balls a wicket.
Dividing 31 by 3.4 would give 9.12, which is wrong: the .4 is four balls, not four tenths.
Which extras count against the bowler
Wides and no-balls are charged to the bowler, so they go into runs conceded, but they are re-bowled and do not count as balls of the over.
Byes and leg byes are charged to the team, not the bowler. They count as legal balls but are left out of the bowler's runs, which is why a bowler's figures rarely add up to the team total.
Wickets credited to a bowler exclude run outs. A maiden is a completed over with no runs charged to the bowler; byes and leg byes do not spoil a maiden.
Economy versus wickets
A tight spell with no wickets and an expensive spell with three can both win a game. Fantasy scoring weighs them too: see how economy bands turn into points on the fantasy points calculator, and convert awkward over counts with the overs to balls converter.
Sources
What this calculator does not account for
- Byes and leg byes, which count against the team but not the bowler.
- Match situation: death overs and powerplays cost more runs.
- Small samples: one spell says little about a bowler's real level.
How this is calculated
Formula: Bowling rates
economy =runs × 6 ÷ balls ; average =runs ÷ wickets ; strike rate =balls ÷ wicketsWhat the symbols mean
- runsRuns conceded, including wides and no-balls.
- ballsLegal balls bowled: 3.4 overs is 22 balls.
- wicketsWickets credited to the bowler. Run outs do not count.
Good to know
- Lower is better for all three bowling figures.
- With no wickets there is no average or strike rate yet, only an economy rate.
Read the full methodologyFound an error? Contact us
Worked examples
Each example is worked out by the same code as the calculator above.
4 overs, 24 runs, 3 wickets
Economy 24 ÷ 4 = 6 an over. Average 24 ÷ 3 = 8, strike rate 24 ÷ 3 = 8 balls a wicket.
Embed this calculator
The frame shows the tool only.
<iframe src="/embed/bowling-economy" title="Bowling economy" width="100%" height="720" style="border:0;max-width:42rem" loading="lazy"></iframe>Questions
What is a good economy rate?
In T20 cricket, under 7.5 an over is good; in one-day cricket, under 5; in Tests, under 3. It depends a lot on the ground and the phase of the innings.
Why does 31 off 3.4 overs give 8.45 and not 9.12?
3.4 overs is 22 balls, or 3.667 overs. 31 ÷ 3.667 = 8.45. Dividing by 3.4 treats the balls as tenths.
Is bowling strike rate the same as batting strike rate?
No. A bowler's strike rate is balls per wicket, so lower is better. A batter's is runs per 100 balls, so higher is better.
Do byes count against a bowler's economy?
No. Byes and leg byes go to the team total as extras but not to the bowler's runs conceded.
Do wides count in economy?
Yes. Wides and no-balls are charged to the bowler, but they do not count as balls bowled.