Cricket Calculator

Basic Rules of Cricket

Cricket is a dynamic and intricate sport with a set of rules that govern everything from how the game is played to how it is scored. For newcomers, the rules may seem complex, but once broken down, cricket is easy to follow. In this guide, we’ll cover the basic rules of the game, including how it’s played, how teams score, and what types of dismissals can occur.

The Objective of Cricket

Cricket is played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. The primary objective of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team. The team with the most runs at the end of the match wins.

Matches can be played in different formats, with varying numbers of overs. Common formats include T20, ODI, and Test matches.

Cricket Field Setup

The game is played on a circular or oval field, with a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch in the center. The two sets of wickets (three stumps and two bails each) are placed at either end of the pitch. Bowlers aim to hit the wickets while batsmen defend them.

For more details on the field setup, check out our Cricket Field Setup guide.

Teams and Player Roles

Each team has 11 players, and they take turns to bat and bowl. The team that bats first aims to score as many runs as possible, while the bowling team attempts to dismiss the batsmen and restrict the number of runs. Teams alternate roles once the batting side has completed their innings.

  • Batsmen: Players from the batting side aim to score runs by hitting the ball and running between the wickets or hitting boundaries.
  • Bowlers: Players from the bowling side deliver the ball with the aim of dismissing the batsman.
  • Fielders: Players from the bowling side are placed strategically around the field to stop runs or catch the ball to dismiss batsmen.
  • Wicketkeeper: Positioned behind the stumps, the wicketkeeper catches the ball if the batsman misses and can also assist in dismissals.

Scoring Runs

Runs are scored in several ways:

  • Running Between Wickets: The batsmen score runs by hitting the ball and running from one end of the pitch to the other.
  • Boundaries: If the ball hits or crosses the boundary, four or six runs are awarded. A four is awarded when the ball hits the ground before crossing the boundary, while a six is awarded if the ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground.
  • Extras: Runs awarded for certain mistakes made by the bowling side, including no balls, wides, byes, and leg byes.

Types of Dismissals

In cricket, there are several ways a batsman can be dismissed, bringing an end to their innings. The main types of dismissals include:

  • Bowled: The bowler hits the stumps, and the bails are dislodged.
  • Caught: A fielder, wicketkeeper, or bowler catches the ball on the full (before it hits the ground) after it has been struck by the batsman.
  • Leg Before Wicket (LBW): The batsman is struck on the leg in front of the stumps, and the umpire rules that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. Learn more about LBW in our dedicated guide.
  • Run Out: A fielder hits the stumps with the ball while the batsman is out of their crease and attempting to complete a run.
  • Stumped: The wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batsman is out of their crease and has missed the ball.
  • Hit Wicket: The batsman accidentally dislodges the bails with their bat or body.

Overs and Bowling

A match is divided into overs. An over consists of six legal deliveries bowled by one bowler. After six deliveries, the bowler must be replaced by another bowler, and this process continues until the bowling side has completed all their allotted overs.

The number of overs allowed per team depends on the match format. For example, T20 matches are limited to 20 overs per side, while ODIs are limited to 50 overs. Test matches have no over limits, but each side can bat twice.

Fielding and Powerplays

Fielding sides must follow certain field placement restrictions known as Powerplays during limited-overs formats. These restrictions are designed to make the game more exciting by limiting the number of fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle at different stages of the innings. Learn more in our Batting and Bowling Powerplay guide.

Conclusion

These basic rules of cricket provide a foundation for understanding the sport. Whether you are watching a match or getting involved in playing, having a solid grasp of these rules will help you appreciate the complexity and beauty of the game. For more detailed explanations of cricket terminology, check out our Cricket Terminology for Beginners guide or explore different formats of the game in our Cricket Formats guide.