The Rules of Cricket

What is cricket?

Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport played all over the world. 🏏 It can look tricky at first, but the main idea is simple: one team bats and tries to score lots of runs, while the other team fields and tries to get the batters out. Then the teams swap over.

Each team has eleven players. The team that scores the most runs by the end of the match wins.

The pitch and the wickets

Cricket is played on a big grassy field. In the middle is a long strip called the pitch. At each end of the pitch are three wooden sticks called stumps, with two little pieces of wood called bails resting on top. The stumps and bails together are called the wicket.

A bowler stands at one end and bowls (throws with a straight arm) the ball towards a batter at the other end.

Batting and scoring runs

The batter's job is to hit the ball and score runs. There are two main ways:

1. Running: After hitting the ball, the two batters run to swap ends of the pitch. Each time they both reach the other end safely, that is one run. They can run more than once if there is time.
2. Boundaries: If a batter hits the ball all the way to the edge of the field, called the boundary, they score without running:
3. Four runs if the ball touches the ground before crossing the boundary.
4. Six runs if the ball flies over the boundary without bouncing.

A six is the biggest hit in cricket, and crowds love it!

Bowling and getting batters out

The fielding team tries to stop runs and get the batters out. Here are the most common ways a batter can be out:

• Bowled: The bowler's ball hits the stumps and knocks the bails off.
• Caught: A fielder catches the ball after the batter hits it, before it touches the ground.
• Run out: The fielders knock the bails off with the ball while the batters are still running between the ends.
• LBW (leg before wicket): The ball hits the batter's leg when it would have gone on to hit the stumps.
• Stumped: The wicketkeeper knocks the bails off when the batter steps out of their safe area.

When a batter is out, they leave the field and the next batter comes in.

Overs and innings

The bowling is counted in overs. An over is six legal balls bowled in a row. After an over, a different bowler bowls from the other end of the pitch.

A team's turn to bat is called an innings. An innings ends when ten batters are out, or when the set number of overs has been bowled. Then the teams swap: the batting team goes out to field, and the fielding team comes in to bat.

The fielders

When a team fields, all eleven players are on the field. One bowls, one is the wicketkeeper who crouches behind the stumps wearing gloves, and the others spread out to stop the ball and take catches. Good fielding saves runs and wins matches.

Fair play

Cricket is famous for good sportsmanship. Players are expected to be honest, respect the umpire's decisions, and clap good play from the other team. The umpires are the officials who watch carefully and decide if a batter is out.

An activity to try

With friends and an adult, practise batting and running safely with a soft ball:

1. Set up two wickets (cones or sticks) a few steps apart.
2. One person gently bowls a soft ball to the batter.
3. The batter hits it and the two batters run between the wickets to score a run.
4. Fielders try to gather the ball and return it quickly.

Use a soft ball and stand well clear of the batter to stay safe. Take turns so everyone bats, bowls and fields.

Now you know the rules!

You understand runs, wickets, overs and innings. Cricket takes practice, so be patient and have fun.

Want more sports rules? Read The Rules of Basketball. And to play your best, learn Why Warming Up Matters.