Cricket Description for Americans

The origins of cricket were first recorded in England in the 17th century. The sport has become popular all over the world but it can appear to be a confusing game when first watched. Cricket is the fastest growing sport in America, with the twenty over version of the game increasing in popularity. The object of the game is to score more than the opposition. It is contested by two teams consisting of 11 players each, taking turns to bat and bowl. A toss of a coin between the two captains denotes who will bat or bowl first.

  1. Aim

    • The batting team tries to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball with the bat. The cricket field is oval-shaped with a 22-yard playing pitch, called a wicket, in the center. Two batsmen take to the field at one time. One batsman plays at each end of the wicket. The bowling team bowls overarm to the batsman but also try to hit the three stumps at the end of the wicket. The batsman attempts to stop the ball hitting the stumps, otherwise he is out and his inning has ended. He will be replaced by another batsman. When 10 batsmen are out, the teams swap and the bowling side bats. The eleventh batsman will remain not out but the inning is ended. A batsmen is required at each end of the pitch. The bowler is required to perform a legal bowling action, namely, he takes a run up and must keep his bowling arm straight as he brings the ball from behind his head, past his ear and releases when his hand is at eye level.

    Scoring Runs

    • The bowler releases the ball aiming for the stumps. The batsman scores a run when he hits the ball and runs between the two sets of stumps. The second batsman must also run to the opposite end of the pitch. Four runs will be scored if the ball is hit and touches or rolls over the edge of the cricket field, usually a roped boundary. Six runs are scored if the ball is hit over the roped boundary without hitting the ground.

    Bowling and Fielding

    • The object of the bowling team is to remove 10 batsmen by getting them out. The player must bowl overarm keeping his bowling arm straight. He will bowl six consecutive bowls that make up an over. The batsman can be out in a number of different ways. The batsman will be "clean bowled" if the bowler hits the stumps with a bowl. The bowler's team members are called fielders and they can remove the batsman if he hits the ball and is caught without hitting the ground. A batsman can be out if the ball hits his leg and the referee or umpire deems the ball would have traveled on to hit the stumps. This is called "leg before wicket" or L.B.W. A run-out will also remove the batsman. This is when a batsman attempts to score a run and the fielding team throw the ball and hit the stumps before he reaches the batting line, called a crease. A batsman will be given out in several other ways but they are less frequent, including handling the ball, timed out, double hit, hit wicket and obstructing the field.

    Umpires and Captains

    • The cricket umpire is the official who referees the game. He will make decisions such as whether the batsman is out L.B.W., if the bowler bowls a "no-ball," which is an illegal delivery, or if the pitch is playable. He will know the rules and he makes sure that the players are informed of his decisions. Each team will have one nominated player as captain, who will liaise between his team and the umpire.

    Terms Used

    • Understanding the terms used in cricket helps to follow the game. Some of the most common terms used are -
      Block - A defensive stroke played by a batsman
      Bouncer - A bowl that is pitched short and bounces high around the batsman's head
      Drive - An attacking shot that rolls past the fielders
      Duck - A score of zero by a batsman
      Full Toss - When a bowler bowls a ball that does not bounce before reaching the batsman
      Hook - A shot played by a batsman from a bouncer
      Over - Six consecutive bowls by a bowler
      Maiden - When a bowler bowls an over with no runs scored
      Plumb - When a batsman is out L.B.W. without hesitation or controversy
      Pie Chucker - A bowler who is not proficient at his art
      Slip - Fielders who stand close to the wicket-keeper
      Wicket-keeper - A player on the fielding team who stands behind the stumps hoping for an easy catch