CRICKET

How is the game of Cricket Played Cricket is played between two teams each comprising of 11 players. The game starts with the toss of a coin by the captains in the presence of the umpire. The winner of the toss gets to choose either to bat or bowl first. The game’s objective is to score as many runs as possible before your team is bowled out (to loose ten wickets). When each team has finished batting, that marks the end of an innings. The winning team in the case of test match cricket is the one that scores more runs after two innings. Test matches can last up to 5 says. In the case of a one- day international matches, the winning team is the one that scores more runs in one innings of an allotted number of overs (usually 50)

The History if Cricket 1300- A game similar to cricket was played in England 1788- The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) published the first laws for the game of cricket. These laws were quickly adopted by other cricket clubs in England. 1853- The modern form of the cricket bat was developed consisting of a carved piece of willow attached to a cane handle. 1864- Over arm bowling was introduced, previously only under arm bowling was allowed. 1870- Country cricket in England was becoming popular. The MCC established international relations with British colonies where cricket was played.

1877- England versus Australia was the first test 1877- England versus Australia was the first test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won the match. 1888- South Africa versus England, for the first time. South Africa became the third test nation. 1900- Cricket was played at the Olympics for the first and only time. 1909- The Imperial Cricket Conference was founded. 1928- West Indies Cricket Team acquired Test status. 1930- New Zealand became a test playing nation. 1932- India started playing test cricket. 1971- The first one-day international match was played in Melbourne, Australia.

1975-The first Cricket World Cup was played in. England 1975-The first Cricket World Cup was played in England. The West Indies won. 1989-The governing body for international cricket is renamed the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is based at the Lord’s cricket ground in England. 2003-The full member countries of the ICC are : Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. 2004-Pro Cricket professional league established in the US

The Field and Fielding positions The captain of the fielding side will position the wicket keeper and bowler and also choose nine other fielding positions in which to place the other nine fielders. His choice of fielding positions can change anytime. At the end of an over, the fielders are rearranged to accommodate bowling from the opposite end, while another bowler takes over.

The Cricket Pitch The pitch is a rectangular area of ground 20.12m in length, measured from bowling crease and 3.66m in width. This is where the batting and bowling take place. Two batsmen, one on either end of the pitch, stand behind the batting crease. The batsman facing the bowler will be ready to play a shot, as the bowler delivers the ball. The batsman at the none striker’s end, will be ready to run if the opportunity arises.

Equipment used in the game of cricket Cricket ball- Hard cork and string ball, covered with leather. The circumference is approximately 23cm, and the ball weighs approximately 156g. The ball is normally red, but white balls are also used for visibility in games played at night under artificial lighting Cricket bat- Blade made of willow, attached to a sturdy cane handle. The blade has a width of 10.8 cm and an overall height of 96.5cm Wickets- There are two wickets, wooden structures, made up of a set of three stumps topped by a pair of bails. Protective gear- Pads, gloves, helmet, box, arm guard. Shoes- Usually leather, with spiked soles for grip on the grass. Clothing-Long pants and shut, For games played with a red ball, the clothing must be white or cream. With a white ball, players usually wear uniforms in solid team colors.

BATTING Batting involves using the bat to score runs or defend the wicket. The skill of batting requires a keen eye, good shot selection, quick foot movement and a cool relax approach. The batsman, while batting uses his bat to protect the wicket and also to score runs. Batting can be broken down into different parts: The grip, the stance and back lift, take place before the ball is bowled, as well as the actual shot or stroke and finally the follow through. You should always try to maintain your balance while batting. Being balanced assists in the control of a shot.

What is the Proper Stance The proper stance is important when batting because that is your starting point when you are batting. The proper stance allows you to move into position to play whatever shot you decide to play. Place feet comfortably apart. Balance you weight on the balls of your feet. Front foot slightly open Front shoulder should be pointing straight down the pitch. Slightly bend knees. Keep you head still. Keep head straight up and eyes level. Keep bat grounded just around the toes of your back foot. Keep elbows close to your body.

Ten ways a batsman can get dismissed during a cricket match. Bowled- When a bowler bowls a legal delivery and it huts the wicket removing the bails. Caught- When the batsman hits the ball with his bat or gloves and the fielder catches the ball before it falls to the ground. Leg before wicket- If the ball pitches in line with the stumps or just out side of the line to the off stump and appears to be heading for the stumps but is blocked by the batsman with some part of his body, not his bat. Stumped- If a batsman misses the ball and is outside of his crease as the wicket keeper collects the ball and uses it to remove the bails. Run out- If a fielder knocks down the batsman’s wicket using the ball while the batsman id attempting a run and is out of his crease.

Hit wicket- If the batsman breaks the wicket, while attempting to hut a ball or when taking off for a first run. Handle the ball- If a batsman touches the ball with a hand not currently holding the bat, without the permission of the fielding side. Obstructing the field- If a batsman deliberately interferes with the efforts of the fielders. Hit the ball twice- If a batsman hits a delivery with his bat and then deliberately hits the ball again for any reason other than to defend his wicket from being broken by the ball. Timed out- If a new batsman takes more than 2 minutes to appear on the files, from the time the last wicket fell.

BOWLING The bowler is the main person from the fielding side who tries to get the batsman out. Bowlers have six legal delivers in every over bowled, to try to get a wicket. While the ball is new, it is better suited for fast bowling. When the ball has been in use for sometime, it may be better suited for spin bowling. The bowling side would normally take special care of the ball, by shining it in an effort to keep it looking new for a long time. They also shine one side of the ball while leaving the other to get rough because this helps the swing bowlers to swing the ball. There are three main categories of bowlers: The spin bowler The medium pace bowler The fast bowler.

The Spinner The spin bowler would normally bowl either off spin (off break) or leg spin (leg break). The speed at which the spinner bowls is between 70 km/h and 90km/h. Spin bowling is also considered slow bowling.

The Fast and Medium Pace Bowler. The medium pace bowler’s speed of delivery averages between 100 and 130km/h, while the fast bowler’s speed averages between 130 and 140km/h. The speed of their deliveries is the main difference between medium and fast bowling. Both medium and fast bowlers use similar deliveries in their attempt to take wickets. These include: The in swinger Out swinger Off cutter Leg cutter

Swing the bowling arm down and around in a clockwise direction. Non bowling arm should be along the front thigh. Release the ball from the highest point. Keep head steady. Eyes focused on he spot where the ball is to be delivered. Non-bowling arm swings backwards. Bowling arm follows non- bowling arm. Follow through in the direction of the ball.

FIELDING Fielding is very important in the game of cricket. When a batsman plays a shot, it is the job of the fielders to limit the number of runs scored. The fielders also assist in trying to get the batsmen out; they can do that by trying to catch or run them out.

WICKET KEEPING The wicketkeeper is the most active member of the fielding side. The keeper stays up to the wicket for spin bowling and stands back for fast bowling. The keeper should have a comfortable stance that allows freedom of movement.

UMPIRE’S SIGNALS

Terms used in Cricket Appeal- The fielding side asks the umpire to declare the batsman out, The umpire must then decide if the batsman should be given out or not. Beaten- The batsman is said to be beaten when he/ she attempts to hit the ball with the bat, but fails to do so. Boundary- The outer limit of the cricket field. It Is clearly marked. A batsman can score a boundary if he plays a shot that sends the ball across the outer limits of the field. Duck- A batsman is said t o get a ‘duck’ if he dismissed without scoring a run.

Hat- trick- When a bowler is able to dismiss three batsmen from three consecutive deliveries. Length- Describes the part of the pitch where the ball is struck prior to reaching the batsman. Maiden over- When no runs have been scored in an over. Over- An over consists of six consecutive legal deliveries. Break the wicket- You break the wicket when you remove the bails