A strike rate is a cricket statistic which is calculated for batters and bowlers. It determines how quickly a batter scores runs and how frequently the bowler can take wickets.
To calculate a batter’s strike rate, the number of runs they score is divided by the number of balls they faced, and the result is multiplied by 100. If a batter has scored 26 runs in 13 balls, then their strike rate will be 200. Strike rate of batters in test cricket is usually between 70 and 90 as the scoring rate is slower due to the length of the match. In One Day Internationals, the scoring rate is usually between 80 and 100. The fastest format of the game, T20, sees strike rates soar between 120 and 180. Thus, the strike rate of batters are greatly influenced by the format in which they are playing.
For a bowler, the strike rate is calculated by diving The number of balls they bowled by the number of wickets they have taken in these balls. If a bowler has taken three wickets after bowling eight overs (i.e., 48 balls), then their strike rate would be 16. The lower the strike rate, the more skillful is the bowler. Unlike the batting strike rate, a bowling strike rate is not influenced by the format. The bowler’s strike rate is calculated by dividing the number of balls the bowler bowled with the number of wickets taken in these balls. However, one can appreciate a trend of bowlers having a lesser strike rate in limited overs cricket compared to first class cricket.
The strike rate is a reflection of the aggressiveness of a batter or bowler. George Lohmann holds the record for the best strike rate of 34.19 for a bowler in test cricket history. However, Lohmann played only 18 matches in his career, the last of which he played in the year 1896. Among the players who have played at least 50 test matches as of June 2025, South African bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn have the best strike rates of 38.98 and 42.38 respectively. Australia’s Ryan Harris played only 21 One Day International matches. But his record in these matches were such that he currently has the best strike rate in the format of 23.43. India’s Mohammed Shami, who has featured in 108 50-over matches, has the best strike in at least 100 appearances of 25.85. In T20 Internationals, Botswana’s Dhruvkumar Maisuria tops the leaderboard with 10.64. Notably, Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien had a fascinating strike rate of 15.81 for someone with at least 100 appearances in the format.
Virender Sehwag, who batted in 180 innings of the 104 matches he played, has a record strike rate of 82.21 for a test cricketer. In One Day International cricket, Glenn Maxwell’s strike rate of 126.70 is the most after batting in 136 innings. In T20s (League and International), Finn Allen currently leads with a strike rate of 174.01 for someone who has batted in 156 innings of the format.
