Explainers
How to read a scorecard: strike rate, economy and average
A short guide to the numbers on every scorecard and what they say about a performance.
A scorecard looks dense at first, but most of it comes down to a few measures.
For batters
- Runs and balls: how many the batter scored from how many deliveries.
- Strike rate: runs per 100 balls. 150 means one and a half runs a ball.
- Average: runs divided by the number of times the batter was dismissed. Not-outs do not count as dismissals, which is why averages can look high for finishers.
For bowlers
- Economy: runs conceded per over.
- Wickets and runs: written as 3/24, meaning three wickets for 24 runs.
- Maidens: overs with no runs scored off the bat.
Read together, a strike rate shows how quickly a batter scored and an economy rate shows how well a bowler contained them. Neither is complete without the match situation, which is why good commentary always adds the context.