Wicket taking ability of bowlers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to define a measure for the wicket taking ability of bowlers and to give perspective on the use of different bowling performance measures. The bowler who had taken the largest number of wickets in a match or a series of matches is normally called the best bowler. If more than one bowler had taken an equal number of wickets, the bowlers in such a group are ranked according to the number of runs conceded. This practice of giving the bowling award to the bowler who had taken the most wickets is challenged because it ignores the number of overs bowled. Various measures are considered and recommendations made about the assessment of the wicket taking ability and bowling performance of a bowler.