The typical assumption in cricket is that the batting average is the total number of runs scored per match or every innings. That, however, is not the case.
In cricket, a player’s batting average is the number of runs he or she scores for each dismissal. The number of runs scored and the number of times a player is dismissed vary depending on the player.
As a result, each player’s average will be unique, and he or she will have a distinct batting average in each format in which he or she competes. The average is calculated differently in each format, whether it be First-Class cricket, List A, T20, ODIs, T20Is, or even Tests.
Also Read | Difference between First-Class Cricket & List-A Cricket
How to Calculate the Batting Average in Cricket?
A few values are required to calculate a player’s batting average.
The first is the overall number of runs scored by the player. Second, the number of innings that the player has batted in; and third, the number of times that the player has been dismissed or has remained not out.
To figure out a player’s batting average, divide the number of runs he or she has scored by the number of times he or she has been struck out. The number of times the player has been dismissed can be calculated by subtracting the number of not outs from the number of innings batted.
The Formula | Batting Average = No. of Runs Scored / No. of Times Dismissed
Let’s take a look at an example:
If Player A played 250 matches but batted in only 200 innings and got dismissed in only 170 of them, the average is calculated with 170 as the denominator rather than 200. So, if Player A has scored 12,000 runs in their career, then the average is computed by dividing 12,000 by 170. As a result, Player A’s average would be 70.58.
Why is Batting Average Important in Cricket?
The batting average is one of the most crucial parts of a batter’s statistical analysis. Regardless of the format, the average is an important statistic for determining a batsman’s consistency.
However, batting average is not the only factor to consider when evaluating a player. There are a number of other statistics to consider. In fact, it is heavily dependent on the format.
In Test cricket, the average is quite an important part of a batter’s statistics. In T20 cricket, on the other hand, the batting average is more useful when paired with the batting strike rate. Accumulating runs is not enough in T20 cricket; you must do so at a consistent rate. One Day cricket falls midway between the longest format and T20 cricket.
Averages are important, but so are strike rates in the modern period. When paired with the strike rate, the batting average, like in T20 cricket, provides a much bigger picture. However, in the 50-over game, that combination is less beneficial than in the T20 format.
What is a Good Batting Average in Cricket?
A good batting average varies depending on the format. What is a good batting average in T20 cricket would not be good in Test cricket. In other words, the value of a batter’s wicket in Test cricket is substantially greater than in white-ball cricket.
Test cricket is regarded as the most difficult form of the game, with batters facing far more difficult circumstances. In this system, the longer you bat and the more you score, the better it is for your side.
In Test cricket, a batting average above 45 is regarded as good for a specialist batter. If you keep a minimal cutoff, everything beyond 50 is deemed superb and is only accomplished by the game’s greats. Those who average more than 60 are simply ludicrous.
In T20 cricket, on the other hand, you may have a huge influence in a short period of time. The notion of a good average varies depending on the batter’s position.
A decent batting average for a middle-order batter is anywhere above 30. However, for top-order batters, that number rises to 35 as they have more chances to score.
A decade ago, anything above 40 was considered a respectable batting average in One Day cricket. However, the game has changed, and batting in white-ball cricket has become simpler.
So an average of more than 45 for top-order batters is now regarded as good. There are a few players who average more than 50, making them great.
Which Player has the Best Batting Average in Each Format in International Cricket?
Sir Don Bradman holds the record for the highest average in Test cricket history. No player has ever come close to the renowned Australian batsman’s 99.94 average in the longest format.
Chris Martin of New Zealand was notorious for his batting and retains the unenviable record of having the lowest batting average in Test cricket for anyone who has batted in 30 innings or more. Martin’s batting average after 104 innings was barely 2.36.
Meanwhile, Ryan ten Doeschate holds the record for the highest ODI average in history. In his ODI career, the Dutch cricketer averaged 67.00. (Among players with 30+ innings)
Virat Kohli is the undisputed king of T20Is. In the shortest format, the former Indian captain averages 52.73 and has a strike rate of 137.96. (Among players with 50+ T20I innings)
Is the Strike Rate the same as the Batting Average?
No, batting average and batting strike rate are not the same thing. The average is the number of runs a player scores for each dismissal. The strike rate, on the other hand, is the number of runs scored by the player per 100 balls.
