Strike rate

Strike rate refers to two different statistics in the sport of cricket. Batting strike rate is a measure of how frequently a batsman achieves the primary goal of batting, namely scoring runs. Bowling strike rate is a measure of how frequently a bowler achieves the primary goal of bowling, namely taking wickets (i.e. getting batsmen out).

Both strike rates are relatively new statistics, having only been invented and considered of importance after the introduction of One Day International cricket in the 1970s.

Batting strike rate

Batting strike rate (s/r) is defined for a batsman as the average number of runs scored per 100 balls faced. The higher the strike rate, the more effective a batsman is at scoring quickly.

In Test cricket, a batsman's strike rate is of secondary relevance to his ability to score runs without getting out. This means a Test batsman's most important statistic is generally considered to be his batting average, rather than his strike rate.

In limited overs cricket, strike rates are of considerably more importance. Since each team only faces a limited number of balls in an innings, the faster a batsman scores, the more runs his team will be able to accumulate. Strike rates of over 150 are becoming common in Twenty20 cricket.[1] Strike rate is probably considered by most as the key factor in a batsman in one day cricket. Accordingly, the batsmen with the higher strike rate, especially in Twenty20 matches, are more valued than those with a lesser strike rate. Steve Chandler has the unfortunate record of the slowest strike rate in history with a strike rate of 2.

Highest career strike rate (T20I)

Strike rate Player Balls Faced Runs scored
155.68 India KL Rahul431671
150.00 Pakistan Shahid Afridi9441416
165.68 Australia Glenn Maxwell6471072
145.32 Australia Shane Watson10061462
142.28 South Africa Albie Morkel402572
141.51 England Kevin Pietersen8311176

Qualification: 250 balls
Last updated: 9 September 2017[2]

Bowling strike rate

Bowling strike rate is defined for a bowler as the average number of balls bowled per wicket taken. The lower the strike rate, the more effective a bowler is at taking wickets quickly.

Although introduced as a statistic complementary to the batting strike rate during the ascension of one-day cricket in the 1980s, bowling strike rates are arguably of more importance in Test cricket than One-day Internationals. This is because the primary goal of a bowler in Test cricket is to take wickets, whereas in a one-day match it is often sufficient to bowl economically - giving away as few runs as possible even if this means taking fewer wickets.

Best career strike rate (ODI and T20I)

Best career strike rate (Tests)

Retired players
Strike rate Player Balls Wickets
34.1 England George Lohmann3,830112
37.7 Australia / England J. J. Ferris2,30261
38.8 New Zealand Shane Bond3,37287
41.6 England Sydney Barnes7,873189
43.1 South Africa Bert Vogler2,76464

Qualification: 2,000 balls
Last updated: 8 January 2017[3]

Active players
Strike rate Player Balls Wickets
37.1 South Africa Kagiso Rabada2,15658
41.4 South Africa Dale Steyn[4]17,286417
46.8 Australia James Pattinson3,27970
47.1 South Africa Vernon Philander7,304155
49.6 Australia Mitchell Starc7,103143

Qualification: 2,000 balls
Last updated: 8 January 2017[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Records - Twenty20 Internationals - Batting records - Highest career strike rate - ESPN Cricinfo".
  2. ↑ "T20I matches – Batting records – Best batting strike rate". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Test matches – Bowling records – Best career strike rate". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "16634 balls, 400 wickets".
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