New to Cricket?

If you are new to cricket, here is some advice and information to help you make the most of your day at the club.

UNDERSTANDING THE GAME

HOURS OF PLAY

A test match usually commences at 11am and continues until 6pm, with scheduled breaks for tea and lunch.

OVERVIEW

Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players. The team that scores the most runs in its innings wins the match.

INNINGS

The innings in cricket organise where players are and what they are doing. When a team is batting, it is their inning. The players switch roles when an inning is over.

OVERS

Six balls constitute one over, and each team’s innings is either limited to a certain number of overs or time limited to a certain number of days, as in Test and first-class cricket.

SCORING

A run is scored each time the two batsmen on the field run between the white creases at either end of the pitch. These can be scored whenever the ball is 'in play', i.e. the time between when the ball leaves the bowler's hand and when it's returned to the wicketkeeper or bowler. The further the ball is hit away from any fielders, the more runs can be scored. The best shots reach the field boundary and are awarded four runs (if the ball bounces first) or six (if it doesn't).

RUNS

A batsman isn't just trying to avoid getting out. They are also trying to score runs to help their team win the game. A run is scored if the batsman hits the ball away from the wicket, and is able to run from one set of stumps to the other. Every time they make it, one run is scored. If the ball crosses the boundary - a line around the edge of the field - without bouncing it is worth six runs, if it bounces first, then it is worth four runs.

UMPIRING SIGNALS | WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

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