Bowling Average Calculator (Cricket)
Use our bowling average calculator to calculate cricket bowling average from runs conceded and wickets taken. Includes what cricket bowling average means, how to calculate bowling average in Test cricket, and a quick guide to cricket bowling figures explained.
What Does Cricket Bowling Average Mean?
In cricket, bowling average is a performance statistic that measures how many runs a bowler concedes per wicket taken. Lower is better because it means the bowler takes wickets while giving away fewer runs.
Bowling average is commonly used across formats (Test, ODI, T20), but it’s especially famous in Test cricket analysis because it reflects sustained wicket-taking with control over long spells.
This bowling average calculator computes the standard cricket bowling average: runs conceded divided by wickets taken.
Bowling Average Formula
Bowling average is calculated as total runs conceded divided by total wickets taken.
Lower values indicate better bowling performance.
This means the bowler concedes 25 runs per wicket on average.
How to Calculate Bowling Average
- 1
Enter total runs conceded (across the match, series, or career period you’re measuring).
- 2
Enter total wickets taken in the same period.
- 3
The calculator divides runs conceded by wickets taken to return bowling average.
- 4
If wickets taken is 0, bowling average is undefined (you can’t divide by zero).
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s the average number of runs a bowler concedes for each wicket they take. Lower bowling average generally means better wicket-taking efficiency.
The formula is the same: bowling average = total runs conceded ÷ total wickets taken. Use totals from the Test matches you’re analyzing.
Bowling figures like 5/42 mean the bowler took 5 wickets and conceded 42 runs in that innings. That innings bowling average would be 42 ÷ 5 = 8.4.
“Best” depends on era and conditions, but in general, lower is better. Analysts usually compare bowlers within similar contexts (time period, role, pitch conditions, opposition strength).
No. Bowling average is runs per wicket. Economy rate is runs conceded per over. A bowler can have a great economy rate but a weaker average if they don’t take many wickets, and vice versa.
In cricket, there isn’t one universal “bowling score” formula. Common bowling metrics include bowling average, economy rate, and strike rate. This calculator focuses on bowling average.
Not directly. Ball speed can influence outcomes, but bowling average measures runs conceded per wicket, which depends on many factors (skill, conditions, tactics, fielding, and opposition).