In cricket, a players' batting average is the total number of runs they have scored divided by the number of times they have been out, usually given to two decimal places. Since the number of runs a player scores and how often they get out are primarily measures of their own playing ability, and largely independent of their teammates, batting average is a good metric for an individual player's skill as a batter (although the practice of drawing comparisons between players on this basis is not without criticism[1]). The number is also simple to interpret intuitively. If all the batter's innings were completed (i.e. they were out every innings), this is the average number of runs they score per innings. If they did not complete all their innings (i.e. some innings they finished not out), this number is an estimate of the unknown average number of runs they score per innings.
Each player normally has several batting averages, with a different figure calculated for each type of match they play (first-class, one-day, Test matches, List A, T20, etc.), and a player's batting averages may be calculated for individual seasons or series, or at particular grounds, or against particular opponents, or across their whole career.
Batting average has been used to gauge cricket players' relative skills since the 18th century.
Batting averages are sometimes calculated for whole teams, across a series or tournament.[2][3]
Most players have career batting averages in the range of 20 to 40. This is also the desirable range for wicket-keepers, though some fall short and make up for it with keeping skill. Until a substantial increase in scores in the 21st century due to improved bats and smaller grounds among other factors, players who sustained an average above 50 through a career were considered exceptional, and before the development of the heavy roller in the 1870s (which allowed for a flatter, safer cricket pitch) an average of 25 was considered very good.[4]
Career records for batting average are usually subject to a minimum qualification of 20 innings played or completed, in order to exclude batsmen who have not played enough games for their skill to be reliably assessed. Under this qualification, the highest Test batting average belongs to Australia's Sir Donald Bradman, with 99.94. Given that a career batting average over 50 is exceptional, and that only 4 other players have averages over 60, this is an outstanding statistic. The fact that Bradman's average is so far above that of any other cricketer has led several statisticians to argue that, statistically at least, he was the greatest athlete in any sport.[5]
Disregarding this 20 innings qualification, the highest career Test batting average is 144 by Kurtis Patterson, who scored 144 runs and was dismissed once in his two Test innings. He then fell out of the Australian squad due to a loss of form and injury.
Batting averages in One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) cricket tend to be lower than in Test cricket because of the need to score runs more quickly. Consequently, batters tend to play riskier strokes and less emphasis is placed on building an innings in order to amass a high individual score. It should also be remembered, especially in relation to the ODI and T20I histograms above, that there were no ODI or T20I matches when Bradman played.
If a batter has been dismissed in every single innings, then this statistic gives exactly the average number of runs they score per innings.
However, for a batter with one or more innings which finished not out, the true mean or average number of runs they score per innings is unknown as it is not known how many runs they would have scored if they could have completed all their not out innings. In this case, this statistic is an estimate of the average number of runs they score per innings. If their scores have a geometric distribution, then this statistic is the maximum likelihood estimate of their true unknown average.[6]
Batting averages can be strongly affected by the number of not outs. For example, Phil Tufnell, who was noted for his poor batting,[7] has an apparently respectable ODI average of 15 (from 20 games), despite a highest score of only 5 not out, as he scored an overall total of 15 runs from 10 innings, but was out only once.[8]
A batter who was not dismissed in any of the innings over which their average is being calculated does not have a batting average, as division by zero does not give a result.[9]
Highest career batting averages in first-class cricket as follows:
Rank | Batter | Matches | Innings | N.O. | Runs | Highest | Ave | First Class career dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Don Bradman | 234 | 338 | 43 | 28,067 | 452* | 95.14 | 1927–49 |
2 | Vijay Merchant | 150 | 234 | 46 | 13,470 | 359* | 71.64 | 1929–51 |
3 | George Headley | 103 | 164 | 22 | 9,921 | 344* | 69.86 | 1927–54 |
4 | Sarfaraz Khan | 48 | 71 | 11 | 4,112 | 301* | 68.53 | 2014–24 |
5 | Ajay Sharma | 129 | 166 | 16 | 10,120 | 259* | 67.46 | 1984–2001 |
6 | Bill Ponsford | 162 | 235 | 23 | 13,819 | 437 | 65.18 | 1920–34 |
7 | Bill Woodfull | 174 | 245 | 39 | 13,388 | 284 | 64.99 | 1921–34 |
8 | Kamindu Mendis | 46 | 71 | 6 | 4,164 | 200* | 64.01 | 2018–24 |
9 | Shantanu Sugwekar | 85 | 122 | 18 | 6,563 | 299* | 63.10 | 1987–2002 |
10 | KC Ibrahim | 60 | 89 | 12 | 4,716 | 250 | 61.24 | 1938–50 |
Qualification for inclusion: 50 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Last updated: 27 April 2024. |
A batting average of above 50 is considered by many as a benchmark to distinguish between a good and a great batsman.[10] Highest male career batting averages in Test matches as follows:
Rank | Batter | Tests | Innings | Not out |
Runs | High Score |
Average | Test career dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Don Bradman | 52 | 80 | 10 | 6,996 | 334 | 99.94 | 1928–48 |
2 | Harry Brook | 14 | 23 | 1 | 1,386 | 317 | 62.54 | 2022–24 |
3 | Adam Voges | 20 | 31 | 7 | 1,485 | 269* | 61.87 | 2015–16 |
4 | Graeme Pollock | 23 | 41 | 4 | 2,256 | 274 | 60.97 | 1963–70 |
5 | George Headley | 22 | 40 | 4 | 2,190 | 270* | 60.83 | 1930–54 |
6 | Herbert Sutcliffe | 54 | 84 | 9 | 4,555 | 194 | 60.73 | 1924–35 |
7 | Eddie Paynter | 20 | 31 | 5 | 1,540 | 243 | 59.23 | 1931–39 |
8 | Ken Barrington | 82 | 131 | 15 | 6,806 | 256 | 58.67 | 1955–68 |
9 | Everton Weekes | 48 | 81 | 5 | 4,455 | 207 | 58.61 | 1948–58 |
10 | Wally Hammond | 85 | 140 | 16 | 7,249 | 336* | 58.45 | 1927–47 |
Qualification for inclusion: 20 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Correct to 24 July 2024 (or later). |
Highest career batting averages in One Day International cricket as follows:
Rank | Batter | ODIs | Innings | N.O. | Runs | Highest | Ave | ODI career dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ryan ten Doeschate | 33 | 32 | 9 | 1,541 | 119 | 67.00 | 2006–11 |
2 | Shubhman Gill | 47 | 47 | 7 | 2,308 | 208 | 58.20 | 2019–24 |
3 | Virat Kohli | 295 | 283 | 44 | 13,906 | 183 | 58.18 | 2008–24 |
4 | Babar Azam | 117 | 114 | 13 | 5,729 | 158 | 56.72 | 2015–23 |
5 | Dawid Malan | 30 | 30 | 4 | 1,450 | 140 | 55.76 | 2019–23 |
6 | Michael Bevan | 232 | 196 | 67 | 6,912 | 108* | 53.58 | 1994–2004 |
7 | AB de Villiers | 228 | 218 | 39 | 9,577 | 176 | 53.50 | 2005–18 |
8 | Daryl Mitchell | 39 | 35 | 5 | 1,577 | 134 | 52.56 | 2021–23 |
9 | Azmatullah Omarzai | 30 | 24 | 8 | 832 | 149* | 52.00 | 2021–24 |
10 | Jonathan Trott | 68 | 65 | 10 | 2,819 | 137 | 51.25 | 2009–13 |
Qualification for inclusion: 20 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Last updated: 8 October 2024 |
Rank | Batsmen | T20Is | Innings | N.O. | Runs | Highest | Ave | T20I career dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sami Sohail | 41 | 37 | 17 | 1,217 | 94* | 60.85 | 2019–24 |
2 | Sohail Ahmed | 28 | 27 | 10 | 857 | 80* | 50.41 | 2022–24 |
3 | Muhammad Rizwan | 102 | 89 | 21 | 3,313 | 104* | 48.72 | 2015–24 |
4 | Virat Kohli | 125 | 117 | 31 | 4,188 | 122* | 48.69 | 2010–24 |
5 | Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming | 35 | 35 | 4 | 1,420 | 114 | 45.80 | 2022–24 |
6 | Muhammad Tanveer | 50 | 46 | 13 | 1,499 | 88* | 45.42 | 2019–24 |
7 | Manish Pandey | 39 | 33 | 17 | 709 | 79* | 44.31 | 2015–20 |
8 | Suryakumar Yadav | 72 | 69 | 11 | 2,461 | 117 | 42.43 | 2021–24 |
9 | Gustav Mckeon | 20 | 20 | 1 | 785 | 109 | 41.31 | 2022–24 |
10 | Babar Azam | 123 | 116 | 15 | 4,175 | 122 | 41.03 | 2016–24 |
Qualification for inclusion: 20 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Last updated: 8 October 2024. |
Rank | Batter | Tests | Innings | Not out | Runs | High Score | Average | Test career dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Denise Annetts | 10 | 13 | 3 | 819 | 193 | 81.90 | 1987-1992 |
2 | Shafali Verma | 5 | 10 | 1 | 567 | 205 | 63.00 | 2021-2024 |
3 | Lorraine Hill | 7 | 10 | 2 | 499 | 118* | 62.37 | 1975-1977 |
4 | Ellyse Perry | 13 | 22 | 7 | 928 | 213* | 61.86 | 2008-2023 |
5 | Enid Bakewell | 12 | 22 | 4 | 1,078 | 124 | 59.88 | 1968-1979 |
6 | Belinda Haggett | 10 | 15 | 2 | 762 | 144 | 58.61 | 1987-1992 |
7 | Betty Wilson | 11 | 16 | 1 | 862 | 127 | 57.46 | 1948-1958 |
8 | Smriti Mandhana | 7 | 12 | 1 | 629 | 149 | 57.18 | 2014-2024 |
9 | Karen Rolton | 14 | 22 | 4 | 1,002 | 209* | 55.66 | 1995-2009 |
10 | Debbie Hockley | 19 | 29 | 4 | 1,301 | 126* | 52.04 | 1979-1996 |
Qualification for inclusion: 10 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Correct to 24 July 2024 (or later). |
Rank | Batter | ODIs | Innings | N.O. | Runs | Highest | Ave. | ODI Career Dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rachael Heyhoe Flint | 23 | 20 | 9 | 643 | 114 | 58.45 | 1973-1982 |
2 | Lindsay Reeler | 23 | 23 | 5 | 1,034 | 143* | 57.44 | 1984-1988 |
3 | Meg Lanning | 103 | 102 | 16 | 4,602 | 152* | 53.51 | 2011-2023 |
4 | Bronwyn Calver | 34 | 21 | 11 | 534 | 81* | 53.40 | 1991-1998 |
5 | Beth Mooney | 74 | 67 | 21 | 2,380 | 133 | 51.73 | 2016-2024 |
6 | Ellyse Perry | 147 | 120 | 42 | 3,948 | 112* | 50.74 | 2007-2024 |
7 | Mithali Raj | 232 | 211 | 57 | 7,805 | 125* | 50.68 | 1999-2022 |
8 | Laura Wolvaardt | 95 | 94 | 12 | 4,814 | 154* | 48.14 | 2016-2024 |
9 | Karen Rolton | 141 | 132 | 32 | 3,948 | 184* | 48.14 | 1995-2009 |
10 | Wendy Watson | 23 | 22 | 6 | 768 | 107* | 48.00 | 1987-1993 |
Qualification for inclusion: 20 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Correct to 24 July 2024 (or later). |
Rank | Batter | T20Is | Innings | N.O. | Runs | Highest | Ave. | T20I Career Dates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tahlia McGrath | 42 | 32 | 10 | 962 | 91* | 43.72 | 2021-2024 |
2 | Christina Gough | 38 | 36 | 12 | 1,030 | 101* | 42.91 | 2019-2023 |
3 | Beth Mooney | 98 | 92 | 23 | 2,829 | 117* | 41.00 | 2016-2024 |
4 | Kathryn Bryce | 45 | 43 | 13 | 1,197 | 73* | 39.90 | 2018-2024 |
5 | Ni Luh Dewi | 26 | 21 | 7 | 529 | 78 | 37.78 | 2023-2024 |
6 | Mithali Raj | 89 | 84 | 21 | 2,364 | 97* | 37.52 | 2006-2019 |
7 | Sterre Kalis | 37 | 37 | 5 | 1,178 | 126* | 36.81 | 2018-2024 |
8 | Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini | 42 | 37 | 11 | 968 | 95* | 37.23 | 2018-2024 |
9 | Meg Lanning | 132 | 121 | 28 | 3,405 | 133* | 36.61 | 2010-2023 |
10 | Andrea-Mae Zepeda | 32 | 32 | 6 | 942 | 101 | 36.23 | 2019-2024 |
Qualification for inclusion: 20 innings. Names in bold text are current players whose figures are likely to change. * denotes not out. Source: ESPNcricinfo. Correct to 24 July 2024 (or later). |
Alternative measures of batting effectiveness have been developed, including:
Strike rate measures a different concept to batting average – how quickly the batsman scores (i.e. average number of runs from 100 balls) – so it does not supplant the role of batting average. It is used particularly in limited overs matches, where the speed at which a batter scores is more important than it is in first-class cricket. Strike rate may also be used to compare a player's ability to score runs against differing types of bowling (i.e. spin, fast bowling).
A system of player rankings was developed to produce a better indication of players' current standings than is provided by comparing their averages.
The numerical facts are that England have scored 1260 runs off the bat to Australia's 1245... both sides have lost 38 wickets. Thus, England's batting line-up has a collective average of 33.1, Australia's 32.7.
Perhaps the most damning statistic was that the difference between Pakistan's collective batting average of 80.15 and Australia's of 25.65 was the all-time biggest gap in an Australian series defeat.
However, only 54 of those runs came in Australian Test whites, with Law making an unbeaten half-century in his only Test innings, meaning he finished his career without a Test average.