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Cricket: basic rules

Cricket is a game that has a certain popularity in some countries. If you’re interested in broadening your horizons or if you want to play a little more, it’s a good idea to learn the rules of the game.

Playing area

The match should be played on a large, clearly marked oval pitch. In the centre of the pitch there should be a rectangular area called the pitch (length – 20m, width – 3m). It is used to serve the ball to the bouncer. The pitch is divided by several lines (creases). The following types of crease are available:

  • Popping (marks the boundaries for taking the batsman through the rang-out);
  • A pair of return creases (placed on either side of the pitch along its entire length);
  • The bowling crease is used to mark the pitching area.

The wicket is a structure of three pegs stuck into the ground, with two crossbars. The protection of this fixture is an important point in the defence. The wicket is 0.72 m high and 0.3 m wide. Matches like Eng vs Ind draw many fans around the world.

Playing Formation and Positions

The main aim in cricket is to score more points than the opposing team. Points are scored by running between the bats before the match is over or by knocking an opponent out by a run-out. The team playing with the bats is called the batting team. There are two teams of 11 players on the pitch. The fielding team must have all players in play. The batting team is played by two members (batsmen) whose job is to bat after the bowler has served the ball. The batsmen must then change positions without being caught in touch.

Game play

The game starts with the batting line-ups. One batsman each is placed on the edges of the pitch behind the popping but before the bowling crease. The bowler is placed behind the bowling crease and pitches to the other edge of the pitch. The wicket keeper is placed behind the wicket of the striker. His duty is to catch the ball in case the striker misses or refuses to strike out.

The other players in the fielding team may be anywhere on the pitch behind the pitche. The bowler serves the ball over the shoulder in motion. If the bowler goes over the popping curve during the innings, the batsmen may play the ball as if it had been batted.

The ball after the pitch must reach the striker at waist level. Once the striker has kicked the ball, he and his partner may run to the other ends of the pitch to change positions. On successful completion of the manoeuvre, an injury is declared and a point is scored. If one of the batsmen retires, no points shall be awarded. The striker does not have to run after reflecting the ball with the bat. He is protected in his own area from most knock-outs, this is worth bearing in mind.

Runs can be earned as long as the batsman is not taken out of the game, as per the rules. If the ball is bounced out of the field while touching the surface, 4 wounds are scored. Without the ball bouncing out, 6 runs count as an asset to the team. Cricket is a very popular sport in India and some other parts of the world like Australia, UK.