Cricket is a team sport of ball and bat between two teams of eleven players. This sport has more than a billion fans in 53 countries around the world. Adults and children alike can play it. Nevertheless, this game obeys its own principles just like other sports disciplines.
What equipment do you need to play cricket?
The practice of cricket requires specific equipment. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you need:
- a cricket bat;
- a cricket ball;
- strains;
- and a land.
For the game to be successful, each of these items of equipment must be appropriate for the practice of the game.
The cricket bat
Also called bat, it is the stick that players use to hit the ball and earn points. It is flat on one side and rounded on the other to ensure good strength. In general, the bat should not exceed 38 inches in length by 4.5 inches in width . The regulations also require that its weight be between 1 and 2.5 kg. However, if you are new to this sporting activity, it would be better to choose a lighter one.
Over time, you can choose a heavier bat. In general, players prefer to use a bat weighing between 1 and 1.8 kg. However, you are free to choose between a light bat or a heavier one that suits you.
The cricket ball
Cricket is played with a particular ball. Round in shape, it is usually made of hard cork covered with leather and red or white in color. While the white ball is used more in short day or night games, the red ball is preferred for long matches and day time games.
It should be mentioned that the cricket ball can be quite heavy. It can weigh between 156 and 163 grams. However, it is recommended not to use it if you are new to this discipline or if you practice it just for your pleasure. Instead, prefer a tennis ball. This is the option chosen in India. As soon as you become more comfortable with the game, you can use the leather cricket ball to level up.
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The strains
These are wooden structures sunk into the ground which carry two bails at the top and form a wicket. Stumps are one of the most important elements in the practice of cricket. There are two that are placed parallel at opposite ends of the field. According to the rules, they should not be more than 28 inches in size and more than 9 inches in width.
However, you can use any wood to make your stumps if you can’t afford it.
The cricket ground
In general, the cricket ground is oval in shape . The laws of cricket do not specify any form. Most often, it is an ellipse with low eccentricity and whose axes have a dimension between 90 and 150 meters. The quality of the pitch is important since it affects how the ball moves on the pitch and how you hit. The pitch structure may therefore be more favorable to pitchers than to beaters.
In the center of the field is a rectangular area where the grass is cut shorter. It is about 20 meters long and three meters wide. This is the part of the court where the pitcher or bowler throws the ball to the opposing team’s batter. It is known as the “pitch”. It is made up of different lines called “creases”. These indicate various spaces and aspects of the game.
As mentioned above, the stumps are positioned on both sides of the field. On the pitcher’s side, an eight-foot, eight-inch-long bowling crease is marked. Along with this fold is the bowler’s burst fold. This is the space within which the pitcher must stand to release the ball.
If you are taking your first steps in cricket, you don’t need to mark all the lines. As soon as you find a field nearby, the stumps and bowling crease should be enough.
What are the details to know to play cricket?
Cricket has its own rules. However, these vary according to the position occupied on the ground. They also depend on the conditions of the game.
The teams
You already know that cricket is a team game. This discipline opposes two groups made up of an equal number of players.
In international matches, each team consists of 11 players. A toss is made at the start of the game to determine which team will have the chance to hit or bowling first.
The strike
Hitting is the act of hitting the ball with the bat in order to score points for one’s team. The best way to get more power is to hit the ball with the flat part of your bat. The main goal of the batsman is to score as many points as possible to prevent your opponents from reaching your total score.
The first two hitters start the game. They will be replaced as one of them goes out or is sent off. The other members of the team will then follow until the end of the round or the elimination of all eleven players.
The basic idea of cricket is to hit the ball as far as possible so that a player from the opposing team does not catch it and start running. There are many techniques you can use to improve your batting game. Also remember that practice makes you better.
Bowling
When a team is placed at bat, the opposing team plays overs and tries to prevent the first from scoring points. In international competitions, 90 overs are played for five-day matches while a one-day match consists of 50 overs per set.
An over is defined as a set of deliveries that a pitcher makes. It therefore ends when the latter has completed his six legal throws. This means that if the bowler throws a wide ball, that delivery is considered an extra and must be redone.
The role of the bowler is to win wickets. In other words, he must take care of getting the opposing batsman out. The latter can be eliminated in several ways.
If you are a beginner, you don’t need to play 40 or 50 overs. A match with seven overs could be enough to better learn and discover the basics of this discipline.
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What are the rules for eliminating a batsman?
The main conditions for leaving a thresher are as follows:
the bowler’s throw hits the stumps and dislodges the bails, we are talking about the bowled;
the batter hits the ball, but it is stopped by a defender without falling, the ball is caught;
the batsman becomes exhausted and is no longer able to run while the defender has touched the stumps with the ball;
the batsman advances to strike the ball, but misses it;
the ball hits any part of the legs before the wicket;
the beater voluntarily or not dislodges his own stumps;
the batter hits the ball twice;
the batter hits the ball with the hand rather than the bat.
The batter may also go out if he is injured during the game. In this particular case, he may return to the court if he feels better, but with the consent of the opposing captain. As soon as a batsman leaves the crease, his partner must get there after 3 minutes, otherwise he is eliminated.
Another very rare reason for a batter’s exit is obstruction of the court with words or actions.
Fielding
To prevent points from being scored by the opposing team, the bowling team is also responsible for pitch alignment. The better a team is, the more it should have a better unit on the field. We can take as an example the South African cricket team which has developed an excellent unit on the ground.
For better alignment, spread out across the court and avoid holding onto the drummer without wearing a helmet. It can be very dangerous for you. Also, do not try to steal the ball or catch it, you could injure yourself.
To be a great defender, you must learn to judge the ball and place it. Also, always keep an eye on her, it will help you make better decisions.
Arbitration
Like all sports games, cricket is played in front of a referee. It is he who is responsible for all decision-making. For example, he is the one who decides whether a batter should go out, whether a penalty should be imposed or whether the match should be rejected.
If you don’t have a specific referee, any player on the court can do it as long as they know the rules. Cricket is a game of fair play and gentlemanly, so abide by the referee’s decision and the spirit of the game.
There are several regular refereeing gestures or signals that you should understand.
When the referee raises his index finger, he indicates that the batter is out and must leave the field.
He waves his hands from left to right in front of his chest to signal that 4 points have just been scored.
He raises his two index fingers above his head to indicate that 6 points have been scored.
He raises a hand, the palm open above his head to express a “goodbye”.
When a pitcher makes a wide ball, the umpire stretches both hands horizontally.
He signals a dead ball by crossing and uncrossing both hands below the waist.
When a ball is thrown when the batter is not ready, the umpire cancels the action by crossing both hands and touching the shoulders.
If the ball needs to be changed, he holds the new one with his hand raised and shows it to the players.
When a team or player exhibits improper conduct, penalties are awarded. To signal this, the referee touches his shoulder with one hand to award points in the bowling alley. On the other hand, points are awarded to the batter’s side if the hand is engaged.
The captain
The captain plays a very big role in cricket. Unlike other team sports disciplines, this one is responsible for all the actions of his team and what happens with it on the field.
Admittedly, the coach took his time to establish several game plans, he can only do it off the ground. He does not have access to the playing field. It is therefore the captain who replaces him and is responsible for making the calls.
How to play your first game of cricket?
The first thing to do to be successful at your first game of cricket is to read and understand the rules . By reading the preceding paragraphs, you will have learned what is necessary to take your first steps.
The practice of cricket requires players and appropriate equipment. So start by buying or collecting all the necessary equipment: the ball (a tennis ball preferably for a start), stumps, bats, etc. Then bring your friends and relatives together to form the different teams.
Flip a coin to draw lots for the team to decide on its initial position. She will have to choose whether she prefers to hit or throw the ball. To win, run as many races as possible and make an effort to prevent your opponents from scoring as much as you. If you pass this part, you may feel happy that you emerged victorious from your first cricket match.
Feel free to play it more often to learn more.
