Good performances are considered to be:
* A batsman scoring 50, or 100, or multiples thereof.
* A partnership adding 50, or 100, or multiples thereof.
* A bowler taking five wickets in a single innings.
* A bowler taking ten wickets in a two innings match. (This is an excellent performance and a relatively rare feat.)
* A bowler taking a hat trick, i.e. three wickets in three successive balls (perhaps in different overs). This is even more rare.
The following statistics are recorded:
Batsmen:
number of runs scored, time spent batting, number of balls faced, how out (and by which bowler and catcher if appropriate).
Bowlers:
number of overs bowled, number of maidens bowled, number of wickets taken, number of runs conceded (i.e. scored off his bowling).
Team:
extras, total runs, wickets fallen, overs bowled, total at each fall of wicket.
Over a single player's career, the two most important statistics are:
Batting Average:
The aggregate number of runs scored divided by the number of times the batsman has been out. The higher, the better.
Bowling Average:
The aggregate runs scored against a bowler divided by the number of wickets taken. The lower, the better.
Each of these averages is kept separately for Test cricket, first class cricket in general, and one-day cricket. A batting average above 30 is very good, 40 excellent, and 50 is legendary. Mention must be made of the Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman, whose career average was a record 99.94, far and away the greatest batsman ever to play the game. A bowling average below 25 is considered excellent.
