๐Ÿ Cricket Rules

Learn the rules and terminology of cricket

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๐Ÿ“– Basics Rules

Objective

Two teams of 11 players compete to score more runs than their opponents. The team batting tries to score runs while the team bowling tries to dismiss them.

Test Cricket

Duration: Up to 5 days
Overs: Unlimited per day
Teams: 2 innings each
Result: Win/Draw/Tie

The traditional format. Tests endurance, skill, and patience over five days.

Duration

A match can last from a few hours (T20) to up to 5 days (Test cricket). Each format has a fixed number of overs per innings.

One Day (ODI)

Duration: ~8 hours
Overs: 50 overs per side
Innings: 1 innings each
Result: Win by runs/wickets

Limited overs format balancing batting aggression with strategic bowling.

The Ball

A hard leather ball weighing between 5.5-5.75 ounces (155.9-163 grams) is used. It's red in day matches and white in limited overs night matches.

T20 Cricket

Duration: ~3 hours
Overs: 20 overs per side
Innings: 1 innings each
Result: Win by runs/wickets

Shortest professional format. High entertainment with explosive batting.

The Bat

A wooden bat with a maximum width of 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) and length of 38 inches (96.5 cm). Made primarily from willow for bat and poplar for the spine.

T10 Cricket

Duration: ~90 minutes
Overs: 10 overs per side
Innings: 1 innings each
Result: Win by runs/wickets

Ultra-fast cricket with just 10 overs per side. Fast-paced action.

The Wickets

Three wooden stumps topped by two small bails. The wickets are 22 yards (20.12 meters) apart and are the target for bowlers to hit.

Players

Each team has 11 players. Only two batters bat at a time. The bowling team has all 11 fielders spread across the field.

๐Ÿ Batting Rules

How to Score Runs

Batters score runs by running between the wickets after hitting the ball. Each complete run counts as one run.

Boundary Four

If the ball touches the ground and crosses the boundary after hitting the bat, 4 runs are awarded automatically without running.

Boundary Six

If the ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground (flies over), 6 runs are awarded. Maximum score per delivery!

Bowled

The batter is out if the ball hits the stumps directly. One of the most common ways to get dismissed.

Caught

A batter is out if the ball is caught by a fielder or the bowler after hitting the bat. The ball must not touch the ground.

LBW (Leg Before Wicket)

If the ball hits the batter's pad and would have gone on to hit the stumps, the batter can be given out LBW.

Run Out

A batter can be run out if the wicket is broken while they're outside the crease line while attempting a run.

Stumped

When the wicket-keeper breaks the wicket while the batter is out of their crease, not attempting a run. Usually off a turning ball.

๐ŸŽฏ Bowling Rules

Over Definition

An over consists of 6 legal balls delivered by one bowler. Different bowlers bowl from opposite ends alternately.

No-Ball

A no-ball is called for: overstepping the crease, throwing instead of bowling, bouncing too high, or aiming too full. Extra run + free hit awarded.

Wide Ball

A wide is called when the ball is too far left or right for the batter to reach. Extra run awarded, ball not counted in the over.

Yorker

A ball pitched at the batsman's feet, making it extremely difficult to score runs. Considered one of the best bowling deliveries.

Bouncer

A short-pitched ball aimed at the batsman's head or shoulder height. Can be dangerous and is subject to regulations.

Bowling Changes

A bowler can bowl maximum 10 overs in ODIs, 4 in T20s, and no limit in Tests. Bowlers must change ends after each over.

๐Ÿงค Fielding Rules

Fielding Positions

Various positions like slip, gully, cover, mid-wicket, etc. Named based on location relative to the batter and pitch.

Wicket-Keeper

Stands behind the stumps at the batter's end. Must wear gloves. Can stump batters off deliveries that turn or bounce.

Slip Catching

Fielders positioned close behind the batter to catch edges off the bat, typically from fast bowlers. Dangerous but rewarding position.

Circle Fielding

In limited overs cricket, there are powerplay rules with fielding restrictions in the first overs to encourage attacking batting.

Throwing

Fielders cannot throw the ball at the stumps intentionally. The ball must be bowled or thrown with a straight arm (no throw).

๐Ÿ“‹ Formats Rules

Test Cricket

The longest format of the game, lasting up to five days. Each team has two innings. Known as the ultimate test of a team's playing ability and endurance. It requires immense mental and physical fitness.

One Day International (ODI)

A limited-overs format where each team faces a fixed number of overs, usually 50 per side. The game lasts for about 8 hours and is completed in a single day. It offers a perfect balance between aggressive batting and tactical bowling.

Twenty20 International (T20I)

The shortest format of the game at the international level. Each team has a single innings, restricted to a maximum of 20 overs. Matches are fast-paced, high-scoring, highly entertaining, and usually last about 3 hours in total.

๐Ÿ“š Terminology

Googly

A delivery by a leg-spinner that turns in the opposite direction of a normal leg-break. Also called a wrong'un.

Yorker

A ball pitched at the batsman's feet, making it difficult to score runs. Considered the most difficult ball to face.

Bouncer

A short-pitched delivery aimed at the batsman's head/shoulder height. Used to intimidate batters.

Inswinger

A delivery that swings from off to leg side towards the batsman after pitching. Swings late for surprise.

Doosra

A delivery by an off-spinner that turns from leg to off (reverse of normal off-break). Hard for batters to read.

Duck

When a batsman gets out without scoring any runs (0 runs). Different types: golden duck (first ball), diamond duck.

Hat-Trick

Taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. One of the rarest achievements in cricket.

Powerplay

Initial overs with fielding restrictions to encourage aggressive batting. Different powerplay rules in different formats.