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Learn About Cricket

It is far from clear how, when and where cricket was first invented, although it would appear that within England cricket has its roots in the South East. Reference was made to a game similar to cricket in the accounts of King Edward I, being played in Kent as early as the 13th Century. The word 'cricket' may well have been derived from a curved staff used by a shepherd that was known as a 'cric'. This was reportedly used as a bat in front of the gate of a sheep pasture.

Control of the game soon moved to London though after Thomas Lord opened a ground (Lord's ground) on Dorset Fields. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) were formed there and when it moved to its St Johns Wood base (Lord's) the turf from Dorset Fields moved with them. The MCC soon became the leading club and their revised versions of the law still govern the game today.

Cricket Rules

Cricket is played between two teams who each get a chance to bat and bowl. When they bat a batsman is in until he's out. When he's out the next batsman comes in until he's out. When all the batsmen are out, the team is all out, apart from one batsman who is not out. The team that was fielding then goes into bat until they are all out and it is a case of the team who scored the most being the winner.

The Game

The aim

The aim of cricket is to score more runs than the opposition. But the game is played in two different formats and in some games it is possible to get a draw even if you don't score as many runs as the opposition. That occurs only in the longer format of the game, played over anything between two and five days, when both teams have two innings.
If the team batting last are not bowled out then they can still draw the match if they have not scored as many runs as their opponents. The game is played on a large field, although most of the action takes place on a specially prepared area, known as the pitch or the wicket. At opposite ends of the pitch are the wickets or stumps which the batsmen have to protect.

Players

Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players. The fielding team have all 11 players on the pitch at the same time. Nine members of the fielding team can be positioned around the pitch at the discretion of the captain, while one serves as the wicketkeeper and the other is the bowler. The bowler delivers the ball, overarm, with the aim being to get the batsmen out. Two batsmen bat at any one time, standing at opposite ends of the pitch. The batsman facing the bowler is described as being 'on strike'. One run is scored each time the batsmen cross and reach the crease at the opposite end from which they started. Although all 11 players have the opportunity to bat, the team are deemed to be 'all out' when ten wickets have fallen as the 'not out' batsman is left without a team-mate at the other end of the wicket.

Umpires

Two umpires officiate on the game from out on the field of play, but at international level there is also a third umpire on the sidelines and a match referee. One umpire stands behind the stumps at the bowler's end of the pitch, while the other umpire stands at square leg.

The start

The two captains toss a coin for the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first. The captain winning the toss will then take a number of things into consideration such as the pitch and weather conditions and the form of his side.

Play changes end after each over. An over is a series of six legitimate deliveries bowled by one bowler. When an over is completed play switches to the other end and continues like this throughout the game.

Duration

Limited over cricket involves both sides receiving the same amount of deliveries to score their runs from, with the winner being the team that scores the most. However, if for example a team is bowled out after 40 overs in a 50 over match, the other team still has the full 50 overs in which to beat their score.

Play in Test matches is usually split into three two hour sessions, although a minimum number of overs to be bowled in a day is also usually agreed between the sides before a series begins. A forty minute lunch break is taken between the first two sessions of a day's play, with 20 minutes being allowed for tea after the end of the second session.

Pitch dimensions

The size of the field on which the game is played varies from ground to ground but the pitch is always a rectangular area of 22 yards (20.12m) in length and 10ft (3.05m) in width.
The popping (batting) crease is marked 1.22m in front of the stumps at either end, with the stumps set along what is termed the bowling crease.

The return creases are marked at right angles to the popping and bowling creases and are measured 1.32m either side of the middle stumps. The two sets of wickets positioned at opposite ends of the pitch stand 71.1cm high and three stumps measure 22.86 cm wide in total. Made out of willow the stumps have two bails on top and the wicket is only broken if at least one bail is removed. If the ball hits the wicket but without sufficient force to dislodge a bail then the batsman is not out.

Scoring guide

Runs off the bat (1,2,3)

The most common way of scoring runs is by either batsman hitting the ball and then running between the wickets. The two batsmen have to change ends, each grounding their bat beyond the crease at the end that they are running to.

If in the process of turning to go for another run either batsman fails to ground his bat then a ‘run short' is signaled by the umpire. This knocks a run off the score and is signaled by the umpire touching one shoulder with the hand of the same arm.

Four runs

A delivery that is hit to the boundary, either along the ground or bouncing at least once before crossing the rope, produces four runs for the batting side. The four is signaled by the umpire waving an arm from side to side, finishing with the arm across the chest.

Six runs

A six is the maximum number of runs that can be scored from one ball. It is scored when a batsman hits the ball over the boundary rope without the ball bouncing.
The umpire signals a six by outstretching both arms above his head.

No-ball

There are several types of no-ball, all of which result in an extra ball being bowled.
The most common one is the foot-fault when a bowler over-steps the popping crease, though having the back foot wider than the return crease would also result in a no-ball.

If a bowler bowls too many intimidating deliveries in one over, he can also be no-balled, so for example three short-pitched deliveries rising above the batsman's shoulders would see the third called a no-ball.A lot of the penalties for no-balls these days are two runs and they are recorded as extras. If a batsman still hits a four off the delivery, it counts as six to the score.

Byes

A bye is called when a legal delivery passes the stumps without the ball touching either the bat or the batsman's body. The number of byes scored obviously depends on the number of runs taken. The signal is one arm stretched high above the body.

Leg byes

Umpires signal a leg bye with a hand touching their raised knee and this is scored when the ball hits the body of the batsman but not the bat. The ball does not necessarily have to touch the leg to be called a leg bye - it can be any part of the body, except the hand holding the bat. Leg byes are recorded as extras.

Wides

A wide is called by an umpire with both arms outstretched when the delivery is out of the reach of the batsman and he is unable to play a correct cricket shot. Umpires are much stricter on wides in the one-day game, particularly with any bowling down the leg side. The penalty is one run, with another delivery added to that over. Wides also count in the extras column.

Ways of getting out

Caught

This is the most common way of getting out, when a fielder catches the ball directly off the bat, before it has hit the ground. The ball does not have to come directly off the bat though. It can deflect from the pad on to the bat or from the bat on to the pad and still be caught, so long as the fielder takes the ball on the full. Also if the ball hits the batter on the hand, below the wrist, then you can still be out caught, but it is not possible to be given out caught off a no ball.

Bowled

The first part of any batter's job is to protect the stumps.
But if a bowler manages to get a delivery through the defenses of a batter and dislodge the bails, then the dismissal is recorded as having been 'bowled'. This form of dismissal is the same whether the ball hits the stumps directly from leaving the bowler's arm or whether it deflects on to the stumps off the bat or the batter. But you can not be bowled off a no ball.

Leg before wicket

The leg before wicket (lbw) law is to cricket what the offside rule is to football – confusing to plenty!
The umpire will consider giving a batsman out lbw if he believes that the ball would have hit the stumps if it had not been obstructed by the batter's pads. But a number of things have to be taken into account by the umpire.
The batter can not be given out if:
• the ball pitches outside the line of leg stump, regardless of whether or not the ball would hit the stumps.
• the ball hits the bat before striking the pad then the batsman can not be given out.
• the batter is struck on the pad outside the line of off stump, having made a genuine attempt to hit the ball.
• the bowler bowls a no ball.

But the batter can be given out if:
• the batter is struck on the pad in front of the stumps.
• the batter is struck on the pad outside the line of off stump, having not made an attempt to hit the ball.

Stumped

If a batter ventures down the wicket to meet the ball there is a possibility that he/she can be stumped by the wicketkeeper. A stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper is able to collect it and dislodge the bails before the batter is able to get their bat or any part of their body grounded behind the batting crease. Touching the batting crease with the bat or heel of the foot is not good enough to save the batter. They must have something in contact with the ground behind the crease. You can't be stumped off a no ball, but it is possible to be dismissed off a wide.

Run out

Run outs are most frequent in limited over cricket and can happen at either end of the wicket. A run out happens when the batters in attempt at completing a run or runs are short of the batting crease when the stumps are broken by the fielding team. These can be very difficult decisions for umpires to adjudicate on and that is why at the highest level the third umpire, who has the benefit of seeing video replays, is often called upon to assist.

Handled the ball

If after playing the ball the batter is worried that it will roll back on to the stumps, he/she can knock the ball away with the bat, feet or pads. But if they use their hands then they can be given out ‘handled the ball'. When a batter picks the ball up off the pitch to assist the fielding side it is widely seen as being unsporting to appeal for them to be dismissed for handling the ball.

Double hit

Another extremely rare dismissal but a batter can be given out having hit the ball twice if the second strike is seen as intentional. However if the second contact is made to assist the fielding side or protect the batter's wicket then he/she should not be given out.

Hit wicket

This mode of dismissal occurs when the batter either in the process of playing a shot or avoiding the ball disturbs his/her stumps. This can be with the bat or with the body, but the bowler is still credited with the wicket.

Obstructing the field

The umpire can give a batsman out if he feels that the batsman has intentionally obstructed a member of the fielding side as they attempt to take a catch or effect a run out.

Fielding positions

Do you know your silly point from your backward point? Confused between gully and slip? Or just unsure of the difference between mid on and mid off? Well, no need to be anymore. The Academy guide to fielding positions will ensure that you will know exactly where to go when the captain puts you in a certain position. and right up to the stumps to a slower bowler, raising the chances of stumping a batsman.

Wicketkeeper

The most specialized position within the team and the most used. The wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps, although further back if the bowler is of a quick pace. Will often stand right up to the stumps to a slower bowler, raising the chances of stumping a batsman.

Slip

Reactions have to be quick in the slips as this is where the majority of catches are taken.
Positioned on the off-side behind the wicket, first slip is alongside the wicketkeeper, with second slip, third slip etc following in the same direction.

Gully

Another close catching position just behind square off the wicket on the off side, the gully fielder has to have quick reactions.
Most chances that will come in this area will be from forceful shots from the batsman that have not been kept down, so the ball is likely to be traveling very quickly.

Point/Backward Point/Silly Point

This position is usually reserved for the best fielder in the team. Found square of the wicket on the off-side it is a key position for fielding forceful shots off the back foot such as a square cut. Backward point is slightly behind square of the wicket, while silly point, as the name suggests is not a great place to field. Most commonly employed when a spin bowler is in action in an effort to snap up any bat-pad chances, it involves standing just a couple of yards from the batsman, square of the wicket on the off-side.

Cover/ Extra Cover/Short Extra Cover/Deep Extra Cover

The cover area spans from point all the way round to mid-off and is another crucial off-side position. Again populated by one of the more active fielders in the side the position aims to stop drives off the front or back foot. Extra cover is positioned between the regulation cover fielder and mid off, and if that fielder is then brought into a catching position closer to the wicket then it becomes short extra cover. Deep extra cover is a more defensive position, situated out on the boundary.

Third Man

Third man is generally a run saving position at around 45 degrees to the wicket on the off side. It covers a large area, covering anything that pierces the slip and gully area.

Fine Leg

Usually an area associated with bowlers, hoping to gain something of a rest between overs. The position is on the leg side at around 45 degrees to the wicket.

Mid Off/Deep Mid Off/Long Off/Silly Mid Off

A captain will quite often field at mid off as it is the position closest to the bowler and the ideal place from which to encourage and discuss tactics from. The mid off fielder has the job of trying to cut off the straight drive and has to stay on their toes to prevent quick singles from being taken. Mid off is normally positioned about 25-30 yards from the batsman, while silly mid off is in close to the batsman looking for bat pad chances. Deep mid off is three-quarters of the way to the boundary. Long off is right out on the boundary rope. Similar positions on the leg or on side are known as mid on, deep mid on etc.

Mid Wicket/Deep Mid Wicket

Mid wicket is positioned on the leg side, between square leg and mid on, at between 45-60 degrees from the bat. It is generally a run saving area rather than an attacking position.

Square Leg/Short Leg/Deep Square Leg/Backward Square

As its name suggests this position is square of the wicket on the leg side, next to where the second umpire stands. There are variations on this position with deep square leg set back on the boundary, while backward square mean you would be standing slightly behind the line of the wicket. Short leg is a position usually given to the youngest member of the fielding side. It is the dubious honor of standing just yards from the bat on the leg side and in grave danger of being hit. Reactions have to be very sharp, but it is an area that necessitates the fielder wearing a helmet and shin guards.