Best Economy Rate in Cricket
The most economical bowlers in cricket history -- those who mastered the art of restricting runs while taking wickets across Test and T20I formats.
Best Economy Rates Across Formats
The most miserly bowlers in Test and T20I cricket (minimum qualification applies)
Test Cricket (min. 2,000 balls bowled)
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trevor Goddard | South Africa | 41 | 123 | 1.64 | 26.22 |
| 2 | Bapu Nadkarni | India | 41 | 88 | 1.67 | 29.07 |
| 3 | Dick Motz | New Zealand | 32 | 100 | 1.68 | 31.48 |
| 4 | Joel Garner | West Indies | 58 | 259 | 1.98 | 20.97 |
| 5 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 124 | 563 | 2.49 | 21.64 |
T20I Cricket (min. 30 matches)
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 80+ | 130+ | 6.20+ | 13.00+ |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 70+ | 75+ | 6.50+ | 17.00+ |
| 3 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 120+ | 140+ | 6.40+ | 20.00+ |
| 4 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | 60+ | 80+ | 6.70+ | 15.00+ |
| 5 | Sophie Ecclestone | England | 70+ | 100+ | 5.50+ | 14.00+ |
Economy rate measures how many runs a bowler concedes per over and is a crucial indicator of bowling control. In Test cricket, the older era bowlers dominate due to slower scoring rates, but Joel Garner and Glenn McGrath stand out for maintaining remarkable economy while also being prolific wicket-takers. In T20Is, Rashid Khan's economy of around 6.20 is extraordinary given the format's high-scoring nature, while Jasprit Bumrah's death-over mastery keeps him among the most economical fast bowlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is economy rate in cricket?+
Economy rate is the average number of runs conceded by a bowler per over. It is calculated by dividing total runs conceded by total overs bowled. A lower economy rate indicates a more restrictive bowler who gives batsmen fewer scoring opportunities.
Who has the best economy rate in T20I cricket?+
Among bowlers with a significant number of matches, Rashid Khan of Afghanistan has one of the best economy rates in T20I cricket at around 6.20 runs per over. His ability to restrict scoring while taking wickets makes him the most valuable T20 bowler in world cricket.