Question

In cricket, what does "economy rate" measure?

Answer 1

Answer: A bowler's average runs conceded per over.

Explanation:

Economy rate is one of the most important statistics used to evaluate a bowler's performance in cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s. It tells us how many runs, on average, a bowler gives away in each over they bowl.

To calculate economy rate, you simply divide the total runs conceded by a bowler by the number of overs they have bowled. For example, if a bowler has given away 42 runs in 7 overs, their economy rate would be 42 ÷ 7 = 6.0 runs per over.

In cricket, a lower economy rate indicates better bowling performance because it means the bowler is restricting the batting team from scoring runs freely. In T20 cricket, an economy rate below 7 runs per over is generally considered good, while in ODIs, anything below 5 runs per over is excellent.

Economy rate becomes especially crucial in limited-overs cricket where teams have a restricted number of overs to score runs. A bowler with a good economy rate can build pressure on the batting team, forcing them to take risks that might lead to wickets. This is why captains often rely on bowlers with excellent economy rates during the middle overs of an innings.

It's worth noting that economy rate works hand-in-hand with other bowling statistics like wickets taken and bowling average. A bowler might have a fantastic economy rate but fewer wickets, while another might take more wickets but concede runs at a higher rate. The best bowlers typically maintain a balance between taking wickets and keeping the runs down, making economy rate a valuable metric for understanding overall bowling effectiveness in the modern game.