Cricket is usually played on a cricket field/pitch which is rectangular and 22-yards long. The target is the wicket (a set of three wooden stumps). It's a game of bat-ball game.

1. The Different Roles Of Players In Cricket

Right before a match, captains from both teams meet on the pitch for the coin toss to determine which team will bat first. Two batsmen and eleven fielders along with the bowler enter the field and the game begins when the bowler bowls from one end of the field towards the wicket at the other end, which is guarded by a batsman known as the striker.

  • The Batsman/Striker

The main duty of the batsman is to conserve his wicket as long as he can while trying to score runs. The striker prevents the ball from hitting the stumps by swinging his bat and, simultaneously, to strike the ball well to score runs.

  • The Other Batsman

The other batsman also called the non-striker waits near the bowler.

  • The Bowler

The bowler's objective is to prevent the scoring of runs and to get the batsman out.

The fielding team includes a wicket-keeper, the person who stands behind the striker's wicket waiting to hit the stumps if the ball arrives.

  • The Fielders

Other nine fielders are tactically placed around the field by the bowling team captain to catch the ball hit by the striker and prevent him to score or take runs.

Cricket fielding positions

2. The Rules Of Cricket

  • Each phase of the game is called an innings during which one team bats, attempting to score as many runs as possible, whilst their opponents bowl and field.
  • There are either one or two innings, depending on the type of match. After the first innings, the teams swap roles for the next.
  • Unless a match results in a draw, the winner is determined by the team that scores the maximum runs.
  • Once a batsman is put away by a bowler and declared to be "out", must leave the field to be replaced by another teammate.
  • An over is usually a set of six deliveries by the same bowler. The next over is bowled by a different bowler.
  • The most common way for a batsman to be out is when the bowler hits the stumps directly with the ball. If the batsman prevents the ball from hitting the stumps with his body instead of his bat then also it is out and called "leg before wicket" or when the batsman strikes the ball into the air and it is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground.

How To Score Runs In Cricket

- Runs can be scored by two methods: either by hitting the ball hard enough for it to cross the boundary or by the two batsmen swapping ends by each simultaneously running the length of the pitch in opposite directions whilst the fielders are retrieving the ball.

- If a fielder gets hold of the ball quickly enough to put down the wicket while the batsman has not reached his end of the pitch, that batsman is declared out with a runout.

- Judgement on the field is given by the two umpires; they are in communication with two off-fielders who record the match's statistical information.

And there you have it, enough Cricket knowledge to begin and experience the game.


Basic Rules Of Cricket


  • Cricket is a sport in which two teams of eleven players compete against each other. (Eight-player teams are occasionally found in children’s cricket games/competitions.)

  • At least one inning is played in each game, with each team taking turns batting and fielding/bowling.

  • A bowler from the fielding team will bowl the ball to the batsman, who will attempt to hit the ball with their bat.

  • The fielding team attempts to dismiss the batsman by:-

           - Hitting the wickets while bowling

          - Catching the shot of the batsman while fielding

           - Hitting the ball to the batsman’s leg which in front of the wicket (LBW)

           - Or hitting the wickets before the batsmen runs to the other end of the pitch

  • The batsmen try to score as many runs as possible without getting out. He scores by:-

          - Hitting the ball and running between the wickets before the fielders hit the wickets with the ball. One run is when you run the entire length of the pitch.

          - 4 runs are scored when the ball is hit to the boundary along the ground.

         - 6 runs are scored when the ball is hit over the boundary on the full.


  • Before the fielding team can change over and begin batting, they must first get 10 batsmen out.

  • The game’s goal is to score as many runs as possible before the opposing fielding side takes ten wickets. The team that scores the most runs is the winner.

Basic Cricket Skills and Exercises

Kids playing cricket must have a basic degree of talent and comprehension of the game that shall always help them enjoy it more. They will be able to participate more actively, gain greater confidence, and remain inspired to continue playing and being active. Being a good cricket player requires:


  1. Good coordination between your hands and eyes 
  2. The skill of throwing and catching a ball
  3. Good batting and bowling technique
  4. The ability to focus for long hours 

Below we have mentioned some of the exercises that can help you develop these skills. 


Exercise 1 Batting: Hand-eye coordination and batting technique.


  • Hit a tennis ball into a concrete wall from a distance of roughly 4 meters. When the ball bounces back, strike it again.
  • Bat lifted ready to hit the ball when hitting face side against the wall, feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your front elbow up when you hit the ball, and hit straight through it so it bounces once before reaching the wall.
  • Try to hit the ball as many times as you can before losing control, and compete with your friends to see who can hit the ball the most times.
  • To increase the complexity, try using a golf ball as you improve.

Exercise 2 Fielding: Hand-eye coordination, throwing, and catching


  • Place two balls 3 meters in front of a wall on the ground.
  • Pick up the first ball and toss it against the wall, clap your hands, and grab the ball with two hands as it bounces back.
  • Then drop the ball on the ground, sprint 10 meters away from the wall to a marker, and return to the second ball.
  • Pick up the second ball and throw it against the wall while clapping your hands and catching the ball with one hand.
  • Repeat by putting the ball on the ground, running back to the 10-meter marker, then returning to the initial ball.
  • Increase your speed and try to go as many times as possible without dropping the ball.
  • At the second ball station, you can also practice catching with your non-dominant hand.

Exercise 3: Bowling technique


  • With your dominant hand at the rear, stand side on to the batsmen/wickets.
  • Turn your head sideways to face the batsmen/target while holding the ball with both hands under your chin.
  • In a smooth, steady motion, rock back and forth, transferring weight from the front to the back.
  • Now, as you rock back, your back arm extends, and as you rock forward, your front arm extends and pulls down, your back arm comes over your head and releases the ball to the batters.

To feel comfortable, you'll need patience and practice, and it's a good idea to watch your favorite bowlers study their techniques for some extra ideas. Regularly doing these three exercises will provide kids playing cricket with the fundamental abilities required to participate in cricket matches and have fun.


Umpire Signals


An umpire is a cricket official who has the authority to make decisions on the field. The umpire not only decides on the legality of deliveries, appeals for wickets, and the overall legal conduct of the game, but he also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the end of an over.


Out

An umpire will not dismiss a batsman unless the fielding team appeals, though a batter may walk if he senses he is out. If the fielding side believes a batsman is out, it must appeal by saying, "How's that?" or "How was he?" (or by any other means that either umpire deems as a method of appealing). The umpire will either lift his index finger above his head to signal that the batsman is out, or he will plainly announce "not out," generally with a shake of the head. The only signal that the scorer does not have to accept is the 'out' signal.


No Ball

A dead ball is signaled by an umpire holding one arm horizontally and screaming "no-ball." The no-ball does not count as one of the six in the over, thus drastically decreasing the number of ways a batsman can be dismissed, except running out, all of the most common dismissals being eliminated. The batter may try to score runs in a no-ball situation.

Wide

A wide ball refers to a delivery that is too wide or too high for the batsman to smash. A wide is indicated by extending both arms horizontally and is accompanied by a wide ball cry. It does not count in the over, reducing the number of ways a batsman can be dismissed. If a delivery meets both a no-ball and wide criteria, the no-ball call and penalty will be applied first.

Bye

The wicketkeeper will normally catch the ball if it passes the batsman without being deflected. The batsmen will be unable to complete a run before getting stumped or run out by the wicketkeeper, which usually hinders the batsmen from scoring runs. On the other hand, the batsman may be able to score runs safely if the wicket-keeper fumbles or misses the ball. Byes are used to count the number of runs scored. They are contributed to the team's total, but not to the number of runs scored by each batsman, and they are not counted as bowler runs. The umpire will raise one open hand over his head if byes are to be scored.

Leg Bye

If the ball deflects off the batsman's body and must be collected by a fielder, the batsmen may have the option of scoring runs safely. Leg byes are used to count the number of runs scored. They are added to the team's total but not to the number of runs scored by the batters, and they are not counted as runs conceded by the bowler. The umpire signals a leg bye by touching a lifted knee.

Dead Ball

An umpire will signal a dead ball by crossing and uncrossing his wrists below his waist with the call "dead ball" under certain conditions.

Short Run

If a batsman turns to finish runs after the first without anchoring himself or his equipment behind the popping crease, the umpire taps his near shoulder with his fingertips, signaling a short run, which is not recorded. The umpire will tell the scorers of the number of runs scored if more than one run is short.

Penalty Runs

The umpire may award five penalty runs to the other side for excessive misconduct by one team. If the umpire taps the other shoulder, the penalty run is awarded to the fielding team, but if the umpire places one arm on the opposite shoulder, the penalty run is granted to the batting team.

Disregard Last Signal

The umpire has the authority to revoke a signal if it is wrong. He accomplishes this by crossing his arms across his chest and then making the proper signal. If the umpire discovers an erroneous use of the laws, such as signaling "out" before realizing the other umpire signaled a no-ball, the umpire's license may be revoked. Also, if an umpire signals a four when he is meant to signal a six, he may be revoked.

Four

If a batsman makes four runs by striking the ball past the boundary rather than running them, the umpire signals by waving his arm in front of his chest back and forth.

Six

The umpire signals a six by raising both hands above his head if a batter achieves six by smashing the ball past the boundary rather than running it.



Cricket For Kids


Cricket is an Indian national pastime. Youngsters of all ages look up to our national cricket squad. Cricket is played throughout the country and is watched and enjoyed by millions around the world. Cricket for kids is a pleasant, friendly sport to play that is simple to pick up and can be played by both boys and girls as young as five years old. In this section, we'll go over some basic rules for kids playing cricket and demonstrate some simple exercises for kids cricket game to enhance their skills. 


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