Cricket is one of those sports that is liked all over the world, but it does seem complicated to most beginners. The overs, wickets, and boundaries make up the structure of this game in unique ways. This guide explains cricket rules to the beginner in the simplest language.
What Is Cricket?
A game of cricket is played between two teams comprising 11 players, under the format wherein one team will be batting to score runs, and the other will bowl and field to restrict the opposition from scoring runs. Once the teams have completed their turns to bat, the teams switch roles. The side with the most number of runs wins the match.
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Basic Cricket Rules You Must Know
The Pitch & Wickets
- The game is played on a large ground featuring a pitch of 22 yards in the middle
- At both ends of a cricket pitch are three stumps that are called wickets
- Hitting the wickets will get a batter out.
Batting Rules Explained
Batters score runs by:
- Running between the two ends of the pitch
- Hitting the ball to the boundary
- 4 runs if the ball touches the ground
- 6 runs if the ball clears the boundary in the air
- 4 runs if the ball touches the ground
A batter can be out by:
- Bowled (ball hits the stumps)
- Caught (ball caught before bouncing)
- LBW (leg blocks the ball from hitting stumps)
- Run out or stumped
These are some of the most important cricket rules for beginners.
Bowling Rules Made Simple
A bowler bowls the ball overarm
- 6 legal balls = 1 over
- Bowlers change after every over
Illegal deliveries consist of:
- Overstepping or illegal action (no-ball)
- Ball that is too wide (not in hitting range of the batter)
- In baseball Both award additional runs to the batting side.
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Fielding and Scoring
Fielders try to:
- Catch the ball
- Stop runs
- Throw the ball to hit the stumps
Extra runs (called extras) are added through wides, no-balls, byes, and leg byes.
Cricket Match Formats
- Test Cricket – Played over 5 days
- ODI (One Day) – 50 overs per team
- T20 Cricket – 20 overs per team (fastest and most popular)
How a Cricket Match Is Won
A team wins by:
- Scoring more runs than the opponent
- Or dismissing the other team with fewer runs
Final Thoughts
Once one grasps the essence, then cricket rules become simple and entertaining. Learn about runs, wickets, and overs, then all the rest will fall in place. Cricket is a skill game, a strategic game, and a game full of thrill, and now you are ready to follow it with confidence.