Cricket is a beloved sport in many parts of the world. Similar to baseball, it involves hitting a ball with a bat—but if you’re unfamiliar with the rules, it can seem pretty confusing at first. Don’t stress, though! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to enjoy a cricket match.
Cricket Objective
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players each. One team bats, running between the ends of the pitch to score, while the other team bowls (pitches) and tries to break the wicket (the target) to earn extra points or get batters out. The team with the highest score after a set number of innings wins.
Overview of the Game of Cricket
Step 1: Playing Area
A cricket field is usually a large oval or circular space with a straight line down the middle. At each end of this line sits a wicket—three vertical posts (“stumps”) with two small wooden bars (“bails”) balanced on top.
The strip between the two wickets, called the pitch, has short, dense grass. Two more lines in front of the wicket, known as popping creases, mark the safe zone for batters (the players hitting or running).
Generally, a batter is safe as long as they stay behind the popping crease. Once they step forward (like when running to the other wicket), they’re at risk of being put out until they reach the safety of the opposite end.
Step 2: Teams
Cricket is played with two teams of 11 players each. Every player stays in the game for the full match and will bat at least once.
Each team has a captain who makes key decisions. When fielding, the team includes:
- A wicketkeeper (like a catcher in baseball).
- A bowler (pitcher).
- Nine fielders, who can move around freely—no fixed positions.
Bowlers switch after every six deliveries (an “over”). Teams can also have a 12th player as a substitute for injuries, but substitutes can’t bat or bowl.
Step 3: Gameplay
The match starts with a coin toss to decide which team bats or fields first. The fielding team takes positions with:
- One bowler at a wicket.
- One wicketkeeper at the other.
Two batters from the batting team stand at each wicket.
The bowler delivers the ball toward the wicket, and the batter tries to hit it away. At any point, the two batters can run to swap ends—if both make it safely past the opposite popping crease, their team scores 1 run.
A batter keeps playing until they’re put out (e.g., if the bowler hits the wicket, or a fielder catches a hit ball). Once 10 batters are out, the innings ends, and the teams switch roles.
Batting in Cricket
Step 1: Every Player Bats in Each Innings
Two batters start the innings, one at each wicket. The bowler delivers the ball, and the batter tries to hit it to score runs by running between wickets.
- Runs are scored when both batters successfully swap ends.
- After six deliveries (an “over”), the fielding team switches bowlers and ends.
- Batters stay in until they’re put out—common ways include:
- Bowled out (bowler breaks the wicket).
- Run out (wicket broken while running).
- Caught out (fielder catches a hit ball mid-air).
- Leg Before Wicket (LBW) (ball hits batter’s leg instead of bat).
When a batter is out, the next player in the lineup replaces them.
Step 2: Batters Protect the Wicket
The bowler aims to hit the wicket, while the batter swings to block it. If the bowler breaks the wicket while the batter misses, the batter is out.
Step 3: Runs Can Be Scored Anytime the Ball Is in Play
Batters can attempt runs whenever they think they can make it—but both must succeed for it to count. Unlike baseball, there are no “foul” balls—any hit is playable.
- Boundary hits automatically score:
- 6 runs if the ball clears the boundary without bouncing.
- 4 runs if it bounces or rolls over.
Batters don’t have to run after hitting—they can stay safe behind the crease.
Step 4: Non-Striker Can Still Be Run Out
There are always two batters on the field:
- Striker (facing the bowler).
- Non-striker (at the other end).
Even the non-striker can be run out if they’re outside the crease when the wicket is broken.
Fielding in Cricket
Step 1: Wicketkeeper & Bowler
All 11 fielders play, but two key roles are:
- Bowler (pitches the ball).
- Wicketkeeper (stands behind the wicket, like a catcher).
Step 2: Bowlers Rotate Every Over
A bowler can’t bowl two overs in a row, so teams rotate bowlers.
Step 3: Fielders Move Freely
Fielders try to stop runs by catching or returning the ball quickly. They can position themselves anywhere except directly over the wicket.
Step 4: Injury Substitutions
Subs are rare but allowed for injuries—they can only field, not bat or bowl.
Keeping Score in Cricket
Step 1: Runs Scored by Batters
Each time batters swap ends safely, they earn 1 run. Extras (like no-balls or wides) are added separately.
Step 2: Wickets Taken by Bowlers
Bowlers get credit for wickets they take (e.g., bowled or caught). Fielders can also earn wickets (e.g., run-outs).
Step 3: Final Score Includes Extras
Scores are listed as “Runs for Wickets” (e.g., “140 for 8” means 140 runs with 8 wickets lost).
Step 4: Highest Score Wins
The team with the most runs after all innings wins. If time runs out, it’s a draw.
Officials in Cricket
- Two umpires enforce rules and make calls.
- One stands behind the bowler, the other near the popping crease.
Cricket Variations
- Test Matches – Longest format (up to 5 days), two innings per team.
- One Day International (ODI) – Limited to 50 overs per side.
- Twenty20 (T20) – Fast-paced, 20 overs per side.
Glossary of Cricket Terms
Wicket – The three-stump target or dismissal.
Bail – Wooden crosspiece on stumps.
Boundary – Edge of the playing field.
Crease – Lines marking batter’s safe zone.
Dead Ball – No play allowed until ball is live again.
Extra – Bonus runs (no-ball, wide, bye, leg bye).
Innings – A team’s turn to bat.
Out – Dismissal of a batter.
Over – Six legal deliveries by a bowler.
Pitch – Central playing strip.
Striker – Batter facing the bowler.