How to read a scorecard: strike rate, economy and average

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.