World Cup 2011 tops scoring rate in ICC history

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was the first in history to have an average run rate of more than five runs per over ? averaging 5.03 per over.

The previous highest was 4.95 runs per over in the 2007 competition in the West Indies, and from the table below, it is clear how the scoring rate has changed since the early tournaments and the 1975, 1979 and 1983 tournaments were played as 60 overs a side matches, rather than the current 50 overs.

In contrast to the overall trend of an increasing run rate, the average runs per wicket has remained consistent throughout the history of the competition. This is with the slight exception of 1979, which was played in disappointing weather early in the English summer.

David Richardson, ICC General Manager ? Cricket, said: ?The statistics are a clear illustration of the exciting cricket that was played during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.?