Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world. Many love playing the game, but not everyone knows how to play. In this blog, you’ll understand how the game works, how runs are scored, how players get out, and the key differences between formats like Test matches, ODIs, and T20s. So, whether you are a seasonal player or a beginner, you should know the rules to play cricket properly. If you are the one looking to book box cricket online, turf town can surely help you. So, to learn more, read the blog till the end about the rules of cricket.
Basics of Cricket
Cricket is played among eleven players, revolving around batting, bowling, and fielding, with the primary objective being to score more runs than the opponent.
However, there are three variants of cricket, including,
Test Cricket- The longest format is played up to 5 days and two innings per team.
One Day International (ODI)– 50 overs per side, and one innings in each.
T20 Cricket- T20 is the fastest format of cricket, played over 20 overs per side for 3 hours.
Cricket Field and Pitch
Boundary: The ground is marked with an outer edge covered with a rope. If the ball bounces past it on a full, it is calculated as six, whereas if it bounces, it is calculated as four.
Pitch: A pitch is usually a 22-yard-long strip where most actions take place.
Wickets: Three wooden stumps with two bails on top at each end.
Creases: They are lines marking the batsman’s safe zone and the bowler’s delivery area (bowling crease).
How Are Runs Scored in Cricket?
- Batsmen score runs by hitting the ball and sprinting to the opposite side of the pitch.
- Each completed run, in which both batsmen safely cross, is equal to one run.
- Sixes and fours are scored based on the ball’s boundaries. If the ball crosses the boundary without bouncing, it is a six; if it crosses the boundary with a bounce, it is a four.
- If the bowling team gives an illegal delivery or a no-ball to the batting team, it gets an extra run and a free hit.
- A wide ball is considered when the ball is too far from the batsman to hit at least one extra run.
- Byes and leg byes are when the runs are scored when the bat doesn’t hit the ball.
Ways of Dismissal
A batter can be dismissed in several ways.
- If the bowler hits the stumps, dislodging the bails.
- A fielder catches the ball before it bounces.
- A ball hits the batsman’s pads in line with the stumps, and the umpire rules it would have hit the wicket.
- A run out is when the fielder hits the stumps before the batsman reaches the crease while attempting a run.
- The wicketkeeper removes the bails when the batsman steps out of the crease and misses the ball.
- A hit wicket is when the batsman accidentally knocks the stumps while playing a shot.
- It is called a timeout if the next batter arrives too long.
Bowling and Fielding Rules
Talking about the overs and deliveries every over consists of six legal deliveries bowled by a single player. And after each one, a bowler takes off from the opposite end. No-ball or illegal delivery is when the bowler throws or oversteps a full stop above waist height. A wide ball is when the ball is too far from the batsman to play a shot.
Umpires and Decision Making
On-field umpires make the most decisions known as outs, wides, and no balls. The third umpire, DRS- Decision Review System, is used for the close calls. Such as the LBW, run-outs, and catches via video replay.
Some common umpire signals include,
- Outs- Raised Finger
- Four-Arm waved horizontally
- Six- Both arms raised
- Wide or no ball- Arms outstretched.
Common Cricket Terms Explained
The following are the standard cricket terms explained;
Innings- A team’s bowling or batting turn
Ducks- A duck is when the batsman is out for zero runs
Maiden Over- Maiden over is when no runs are scored
Yorker- A yorker is a full-pitched delivery at the batsman’s feet
Googly- A leg spinner’s deceptive delivery that turns the opposite way is known as a googly
Frequently Asked Questions About Cricket Rules Explained
How many players are there in a cricket team?
The cricket team comprises 11 players per side, with substitutes allowed for injuries, but they cannot bat or bowl.
What are the main ways to score runs?
Running between wickets, one per crossing, whereas the boundaries reach the rope, six if it clears the rope on the full and extras.
What are the different formats of cricket?
- Test cricket- 5 days unlimited overs
- One Day International- 50 overs
- T20- 20 overs
What’s a no-ball?
A no-ball is an illegal delivery overstepping, the full toss above the waist giving one run + free hit in limited overs.
What is DRS?
DRS, also known as a Decision Review System, is a technique in which the teams can challenge the umpire’s decision using the technology.
The blog on cricket rules was helpful to you.
