Strike Rate and Economy Rate Explained: How to Read Cricket Stats
Learn how batting strike rate, bowling strike rate and economy rate are calculated, with worked examples and advice on reading them across formats.
Scorecards and broadcast graphics throw a lot of numbers at viewers, and two of the most common are strike rate and economy rate. They measure how quickly a batter scores and how tightly a bowler keeps the scoring down. Neither tells the whole story alone, but once you know how to read them, they quickly become an easy way to judge a performance.
Batting strike rate
A batter’s strike rate is the number of runs they score for every 100 balls they face. The formula is runs divided by balls faced, multiplied by 100. A batter who makes 30 off 20 balls has a strike rate of 150, which means they are scoring at the equivalent of 1.5 runs a ball. A batter who makes 50 off 100 balls has a strike rate of 50.
What counts as a good strike rate depends heavily on the format. In Test cricket, players often bat for a long time and a strike rate in the 40s or 50s is typical. In one-day cricket, rates of 80 to 100 are common for top-order batters, and in Twenty20 cricket anything above 130 or so is regarded as a solid pace, with big hitters often scoring much faster. These figures are only rough guides and the standard shifts over time as the game changes.
Bowling strike rate
Bowlers also have a strike rate, but it is measured differently. Bowling strike rate is the average number of balls a bowler delivers for each wicket taken. The formula is balls bowled divided by wickets. A bowler who takes 5 wickets from 120 balls has a strike rate of 24. Here, lower is better, because it means they take wickets more often. This statistic favours attacking bowlers who take wickets frequently, even if they sometimes concede runs.
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. If a bowler gives away 28 runs in 4 overs, their economy rate is 7.00. Partial overs are converted into decimals based on balls, so 3.2 overs means three overs and two balls, which is about 3.33 overs for the calculation. A low economy rate is good for a bowler. It shows that they are limiting the opposition’s scoring.
Again, context matters. An economy of 4.5 is expensive in a Test match, where scoring is slow, but excellent in a T20 game. In T20 cricket, an economy rate under 7 is usually seen as very good, while anything above 9 or 10 can be costly, depending on conditions and the opposition.
Putting the numbers together
These three figures are related to a few other statistics:
- Batting average shows how many runs a batter scores per dismissal and rewards consistency.
- Bowling average shows how many runs a bowler concedes per wicket.
- Strike rate and economy rate show the speed of scoring and how much control a bowler has.
A good batter in a short format needs both a high average and a high strike rate, which means they score quickly without getting out. A good bowler combines a low economy rate with a decent strike rate, so that they keep the runs down while also taking wickets. A bowler with a very low economy rate but few wickets may be useful in the middle overs. A bowler with a high strike rate and a high economy rate may be a wicket-taker who can be expensive.
Common pitfalls
There are some traps to avoid when reading these figures:
- Small samples can mislead. A strike rate based on a handful of balls is not very informative.
- Role matters. An opener, a finisher and a bowler at the death are asked to do different jobs.
- Conditions vary. A flat pitch with a short boundary will push numbers up for everyone.
- Match situation counts. A batter who scores slowly while building a platform is doing a different job from one who is chasing a target in the final overs.
To make the most of strike rate and economy rate, look at them over a good sample of matches and compare players in the same format and role. Used in that way, they offer a quick and fair picture of tempo and control, and they help to explain why some players are valued highly even when their averages look unremarkable.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate strike rate in cricket?
Divide the runs scored by the balls faced and multiply by 100. For example, 45 runs off 30 balls gives a strike rate of 150.
Is a higher or lower economy rate better?
Lower is better for a bowler, because it means fewer runs are being conceded per over.
What does bowling strike rate mean?
It is the average number of balls a bowler needs to take a wicket. A lower number means they take wickets more often.