In cricket, a bowling analysis (sometimes shortened to just analysis, especially in the phrase innings analysis, and also referred to as bowling figures) usually refers to a notation summarising a bowler's performance in terms of overs bowled, how many of those overs are maidens (i.e. with no runs conceded), total runs conceded and number of wickets taken. [1] Bowling analyses are generally given for each innings in cricket scoreboards printed in Wisden Cricketers' Almanack , newspapers and so on, but they are also sometimes quoted for other periods of time, such as a single spell of bowling. Typically, the analysis is given in the following format: Overs – Maidens – Runs conceded – Wickets.
In some cases, overs and maidens are omitted from bowling figures, and are recorded showing 'Wickets/Runs'; for example, 7/15 by Glenn McGrath against Namibia shows he took his 7 wickets for 15 runs. [2]
Sometimes, in limited overs cricket, the 'maidens' figure is replaced by the number of dot balls bowled.
In Test cricket, the best bowling analysis for a single innings is 10/53 by Jim Laker. [3] The best bowling analysis in an ODI is 8/19 by Chaminda Vaas. [4] The best bowling analysis in a Twenty20 International is 6/7 by Deepak Chahar. [5] In first-class cricket, the best bowling analysis for a single innings is 10/10 by Hedley Verity. [6]
