Maiden Overs and Bowling Figures: How to Read a Bowler’s Analysis
What a maiden over is, how bowling figures such as 4-1-18-2 are written and how economy rate and strike rate help judge a bowler’s performance.
What is a maiden over?
A maiden over is an over of six legal deliveries in which no runs are charged to the bowler. It is the most economical type of over and is valued because it builds pressure on the batters, often leading to mistakes in later overs.
What counts and what does not
Runs scored off the bat are charged to the bowler, as are wides and no-balls. Byes and leg byes are not charged to the bowler, so an over containing only byes or leg byes can still be recorded as a maiden. Wides and no-balls, on the other hand, prevent a maiden because they are charged against the bowler.
How figures are written
Bowling figures are usually shown as four numbers: overs, maidens, runs conceded and wickets. For example, 4-1-18-2 means four overs bowled, one of them a maiden, 18 runs conceded and two wickets taken. In some places the result is written as wickets for runs (2 for 18), so context matters.
Partial overs are written with a decimal point, so 3.4 means three overs and four balls.
Economy rate
Economy rate is the average number of runs a bowler concedes per over. It is calculated by dividing runs conceded by overs bowled. A bowler who concedes 18 runs in four overs has an economy rate of 4.50. It is a key measure in limited-overs cricket because containing runs can be as valuable as taking wickets.
Bowling average and strike rate
Bowling average is runs conceded per wicket taken. Strike rate is balls bowled per wicket. Together with economy rate, they give a fuller picture. A bowler with a low average takes wickets cheaply, while a low strike rate means they take wickets frequently.
Maidens in different formats
Maidens are common in Test cricket, where bowlers can bowl accurately for long spells, and are less frequent in T20 cricket, where batters attack more. In the shortest formats, a maiden is rare and can be a major event, which is why a wicket maiden is highly prized.
Wicket maidens and reading a scorecard
A wicket maiden is an over with no runs and at least one wicket. On a scorecard, look at the bowler’s overs, maidens, runs and wickets together and compare them with team totals. A good analysis balances control with wicket-taking.
Frequently asked questions
What is a maiden over?
An over in which no runs are scored off the bowler.
What does 4-0-24-2 mean?
Four overs, no maidens, 24 runs conceded and two wickets.
Do byes count against the bowler?
No. Byes and leg byes are not charged to the bowler, but wides and no-balls are.