Cricket, Otherwise also called the 'Gentlemen's Game' is an extremely popular outdoor sport in countries like Australia, South Africa, India, Srilanka, Pakistan, England, Canada..etc.
Game of cricket is played between 2 teams. Each usually containing 11 players ( To get started, teams can have lesser players). The following image shows how a typical cricket ground will look like. There are 3 sticks (Wickets) each on both the ends of the playing strip (Also called Pitch).
Cricket is a bat and ball game. At any time , one of the playing team will be batting and the other bowling. The decision regarding which team bats first is taken by the toss of the coin.
The bowling team will have all its 11 members on the field while the batting team will have only 2 members on the field(Striker and Non-Striker).
Additionally, there is always an 'umpire' (2 in international games) much like the referee in other sports.
One player from the bowling team will be 'Bowling' to the batsman from one end of the playing strip and the batsman (Striker) will be in position (Ready to hit the ball) on the other side of the pitch.
The other 10 members of bowling team will be standing spread in the ground to field the ball hit by the batsman.One mandatory position is that of the Wicket Keeper who will be standing just behind the striking batsman.
Usually, Cricket is played for a predetermined number of Overs . One Over is 6 legitimate delivery. Starters can play for 10 - 15 overs, International games happen for 20 overs 50 overs. The team that scores the maximum runs in this limited overs wins the game.
Further, A player in the bowling team can bowl only one over in a single stretch. After which the bowler should change. Usually, there is also a limit to the overs a player can bowl in a game ( usually one fifth of the total overs in the game).
The batsman scores :
6 Runs : If he hits the ball out of the ground. The bowl should not bounce within the ground boundary after the ball was hit by the batsman.
4 Runs : If the ball goes outside the ground boundary after through the ground or bouncing within the boundary.
1,2,3,4 Runs: If both the batsmen run across the pitch once, twice or thrice respectively before the ball hit by the batsman is returned by the fielders.
1 Run Extra : If the bowler bowls an illegitimate delivery.
The Batsman is Out / Dismissed if :
The bowler bowls the wicket down.
If the ball hit by the batsman is caught by the fielders without the ball pitching again.
If the wickets are hit by the fielders before the batsman is back in their crease while running 1,2 or 3 runs.
If the ball that would have hit the wickets hits the body of the batsman
All the decision regarding runs , legitimate delivery and wickets are taken by the on field umpires.
End Of Innings :
The Innings is over if the number of overs for the game are bowled or all but one batsman in the batting team is out. Once the first innings is over, Teams switch roles. The new batting team should score more than the previous team to win. If the score is tied, then the match is drawn.
Now we know the basics of Cricket. The deeper aspects will be shared in the next blog. Till then , Enjoy Playing the 'Gentlemen's Game' ! Lets get started !!!
The
Links :
Online Quick Start Cricket Game :
http://www.sticksports.com/games/stick-cricket/
Rules of Cricket Further Read :
http://www.cricket-rules.com/
I Love Cricket YouTube Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1XiJPgB__8
Cricket Finland :
http://www.cricketfinland.com
