Cricket, a sport steeped in tradition and strategy, captivates millions worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the game, understanding the rules and regulations is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the essential rules of cricket.
1: The Players
- Two teams, each with eleven players, play cricket.
- Non-official matches can have more or fewer players, but no more than eleven on the field at once.
2: The Umpires
- Two on-field umpires enforce rules and make decisions.
- They inform the scorer about score changes.
- A third umpire assists with decisions using high-resolution cameras especially in international matches.
3: The Scorers
- Two scorers maintain scores as signaled by the umpires.
- Scorers must follow the umpires’ signals, not their opinions.
4: The Ball
- The ball’s circumference is 8.81 to 9 inches, and it weighs 5.5 to 5.75 ounces.
- Women and junior cricketers use smaller, lighter balls.
- The players use only one ball unless they lose it, in which case they must replace it with a similar ball.
- After a minimum number of overs (80 in Test matches), the fielding side can request a new ball.
- The ball degrades throughout the innings.
5: The Bat
- Bats can be up to 38 inches long, 4.25 inches wide, 2.64 inches deep at the center, and 1.56 inches deep at the edges.
- The bat must have a blade made of wood.
6: The Pitch
- The pitch is 22 yards long and 10 feet wide.
- The Ground Authority prepares it, and the umpires control it.
- In professional cricket, players typically play on grass; non-turf pitches must be at least 58 feet long and 6 feet wide.
7: The Creases
- The pitch has bowling, popping, and return creases.
- The bowling crease is 8 feet 8 inches long, centered on the middle stump.
- The popping crease is 4 feet from the bowling crease.
- Return creases are 4 feet 4 inches from the imaginary line connecting the middle stumps and extend at least 8 feet from the popping crease.
8: The Wickets
- Three stumps, 28 inches tall and 9 inches wide, make up a wicket.
- Bails must not exceed 4.31 inches in length and 0.5 inches above the stumps.
- Different specifications apply for junior cricket.
9: Pitch Preparation and Maintenance
- Groundsmen must maintain the pitch with even grass length and appropriate watering.
- Poor pitch conditions can lead to disciplinary action.
10: Pitch Cover
- Pitch covers protect from rain and dew.
- Both captains agree upon the decision to cover the pitch.
11: The Intervals
- Breaks include a 10-minute break between innings and breaks for lunch, tea, and the end of play.
- The umpires schedule breaks based on batting time and match duration.
12: The Start of Play
- A game starts with the umpire’s call of play and ends with a call of time.
- The last hour must include at least 20 overs.
13: The Innings
- Teams decide on one or two innings per side and whether innings are time or over-limited.
- In two-inning games, sides bat alternately unless the follow-on is enforced.
14: The Follow-On
- In two-inning matches, the team batting first can enforce a follow-on if the second team scores significantly fewer runs.
- In Test matches, the gap must be at least 200 runs.
15: Declaration of an Innings
- The batting captain can declare or forfeit an innings.
16: Result of the Match
- The team with more runs wins.
- A tie occurs if both teams have the same score.
- A draw occurs if time runs out before completing both innings.
17: The Over
- Each over consists of six consecutive deliveries by one bowler.
- Overs are bowled from alternate ends.
18: Runs Scoring
- A run is scored when batsmen successfully change ends.
19: Boundaries
- Four runs are awarded if the ball crosses the boundary after bouncing.
- Six runs are awarded if the ball crosses without bouncing.
20: Dead Ball
- A ball is dead when all action has ended.
- No runs can be scored or wickets taken from a dead ball.
21: No Ball
- A no-ball is declared for various infractions, like overstepping the crease or dangerous deliveries.
- One run is added, and an extra delivery is bowled.
22: Wide Ball
- Umpires declare a wide ball if it is too wide to hit.
- One run is added, and an extra delivery is bowled.
- Batsmen can be out for stumping, hitting the wicket, running out, or obstructing the fielder.
23: Byes and Leg Byes
- Byes are runs scored without the ball touching the bat or batsman.
- Leg byes are scored if the ball hits the batsman without touching the bat.
- Runs are added to the team’s total but not the batsman’s tally.
24: Substitutes
- Substitutes can field but not bat, bowl, or captain.
- The original player returns when fit.
25: Runner
- An injured batsman may have a runner with the opposing captain’s consent.
- The runner runs while the batsman continues batting.
- The use of runners is discouraged in international cricket.
26: Practice on the Field
- No batting or bowling practice on the match pitch.
- Players can use trial run-ups if they do not damage the field
27: The Wicketkeeper
- The wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps to collect the ball.
- Only the wicketkeeper can wear gloves and leg pads.
28: The Fielder
- Fielders position themselves to stop runs or dismiss the batsman.
- Apart from the bowler, there are ten fielders.
29: The Fall of the Wicket
- A wicket falls if the ball hits it and displaces a bail.
- If bails are already displaced, a stump must be removed.
30: Batsman Out of Their Ground
- If a batsman leaves their crease without permission before the ball is bowled, the umpire declares them out.
- This ensures fair play.
31: Appeals for Dismissing a Batsman
- Fielding team members appeal to the umpire to declare a batsman out.
- Appeals include LBW, caught behind, obstruction, or playing with the wrong hand.
- If successful, the batsman leaves the field.
32: Bowled
- If the bowler hits the stumps and displaces a bail with their delivery, they bowl the batsman out.
33: Caught
- A batsman is out if a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground.
- The umpire decides if the catch is fair.
34: Hit the Ball Twice
- A batter cannot hit the ball twice unless touched by a fielder first.
- Prevents injury and unfair play.
35: Hit Wicket
- A batsman is out if they dislodge the bails with the bat or body after the bowler enters the delivery stride.
36: LBW
- A batsman is out LBW if the ball hits their leg pads and the umpire believes it would hit the stumps.
- The ball must hit the pads in line with the stumps and at the correct height.
37: Obstructing the Field
- A batsman cannot obstruct a fielder by word or action.
- If deliberate, the batsman is out.
38: Run Out
- If a batsman is out of the crease when the wicket is broken, the fielding team can run them out.
- If a batsman is on their ground when the wicket is put down, they remain safe.
39: Stumping
- A batsman is out if the wicketkeeper puts down the wicket with the ball in hand while the batsman is out of the crease.
- The bowler gets credit for a stumping.
40: Timed Out
- A batsman must be ready within 3 minutes of the last wicket.
- If not, they are timed out.
41: Unfair Play
- Unfair play includes running on the pitch, damaging it, or distracting a batsman.
- Penalties vary based on severity, including warnings, suspensions, or bans.
42: Players’ Conduct
- Captains are basically responsible for ensuring play is within the spirit of the game and laws.
- Most important, players must be respectful and considerate.
- Dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior is not tolerated.
Chiefly by understanding and adhering to these rules, players can enjoy cricket’s rich traditions and competitive spirit. Whether you’re on the field or a fan in the stands, these guidelines ensure that cricket remains a game of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
