Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the center of which is a 22-yard (20-meter) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps.
The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at the wicket with the bat and then running between the wickets, while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this (by preventing the ball from leaving the field, and getting the ball back to the wicket to dismiss the batsmen).
History of cricket
The earliest known reference to cricket is in a court case record from 1598 in Guildford, Surrey, England. The game evolved in England during the 16th and 17th centuries, and was introduced to other countries by British colonists.
Rules of cricket
The basic rules of cricket are as follows:
- The batting side tries to score as many runs as possible before ten of their batsmen are dismissed.
- The bowling and fielding side tries to prevent the batting side from scoring runs and to dismiss all ten batsmen.
- A run is scored when both batsmen cross the popping crease at the same end of the pitch after the ball has been bowled.
- A batsman is out if:
- Their wicket is hit by the ball.
- They are caught by a fielder after hitting the ball.
- They are run out by a fielder.
- They are stumped by the wicket-keeper.
- They are lbw (leg before wicket).
- An innings ends when all ten batsmen on one side are dismissed.
- The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
Formats of cricket
There are three main formats of cricket: Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
- Test cricket is the oldest and longest format of the game. A Test match can last up to five days.
- ODIs are limited-overs matches, with each team batting for a maximum of 50 overs (300 balls).
- T20Is are even shorter, with each team batting for a maximum of 20 overs (120 balls).
Equipment used in cricket
The basic equipment used in cricket is:
- A bat, which is made of wood and used to hit the ball.
- A ball, which is made of cork and leather.
- Wickets, which are made of wood and have three stumps and two bails.
- Pads, which are worn by the batsmen to protect their legs.
- Gloves, which are worn by the batsmen to protect their hands.
- A helmet, which is worn by the batsmen to protect their head.
Popular cricket tournaments
The most popular cricket tournaments are:
- The Cricket World Cup, which is held every four years.
- The Ashes series, which is played between England and Australia.
- The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is played between India and Australia.
- The ICC Champions Trophy, which is held every four years.
- The Indian Premier League (IPL), which is a domestic T20 tournament held in India.
More popular than you think
Cricket is a popular sport all over the world, and is especially popular in England, Australia, India, and the Caribbean. It is a complex game with a rich history, and there is always something new to learn.
