Sunday, October 7, 2007
How to Play Cricket - Equipment & Apparel
To be a cricketer, it is not enough to think like one. You must also look like one. Here we will first cover the basic apparel of all cricketers, followed by the specific apparel and equipment used by batsmen, bowlers and wicketkeeprs respectively.
Basic Attire
In most levels of cricket, whether club, school or state, the attire expected of cricketers is usually the same. Nowadays, the top is a dri-fit or climacool jersey, and the pants are made from a special material, and are known as whites.
Specialised cricket shoes are also required, so that batsman have some grip on the pitch while they are batting (for balance), and also for bowlers so that running up before bowling to gain momentum is not difficult. The shoes usually are white, and come with special studs which are replacable.
Now let us look at the basic apparel and equipment used by batsman while they are batting.
Helmet
The basic function of the helmet of course is to protect the head and face of the batsman, especially from bouncing deliveries or balls bowled directly at the face. It can be tightened using the buckle (used to fasten it around the neck) as well as a screw at the back.
Leg Pads
These pads are fastened around the batsman's legs using 3 straps at the back of each pad, again for protection.
Gloves
A pair of gloves are used, one on each hand of course, to prevent injuries to the hands and fingers, which can be huge threats to a cricketer's career. Take it from How to Play Cricket: ALWAYS use gloves when batting, even for practice.
Groin Guard
The groin guard, or box as it is known is cricket, is of course very important, if you want to celebrate Father's Day that is. It is usually worn between the whites and the undergarments, and comes attached with a fastening mechanism. Again, it is a must have, whenever you are batting!
These are the basic things needed for you to begin batting. At the higher levels, where bowling is at very high speeds, other forms of protection are also used by batsman. Let us look at some of these.
Thigh Pad
This pad is fastened around the batsman's thigh to protect it from being hit by the ball. Again, this is usually worn between the whites and the undergarments
Arm Guard and Chest Pad
The arm guard is worn on the arm of the batsman that faces the bowler, which is the left arm for right handers and the right arm for left handers.
The chest pad is worn under the jersey, and is used again for protection against bouncin deliveries or those that come directly at the chest.
This basically covers all the apparel used by batsman in the game of cricket. Now let us look at the equipment used by batsmen, which is actuall just one thing. Here is the main weapon of mass destruction wielded by batsman, the cricket bat.
The Bat
Bats are made of willow, usually either Kashmir willow from India, or the more common and widely used English willow from, well, England. Each bat has 2 segments: The handle, and the blade. The Handle is where the batsman holds the bat when batting, and it is covered with a rubber covering, which gives it more friction, allowing the batsman to have a better grip of it. The blade is the rest of the bat, which makes contact with the ball bowled by the bowler, and is used to strike the ball and score runs. Each bat has a section which is the thickest and widest, known as its sweet spot. Batsman usually try to hit the ball using this sweet spot, as it makes strongest and cleanest contact with the ball at this point, sending it a further distance. With proper timing and use of the sweet spot, clearing the boundary becomes increasingly easier for batsman. Look forward to begin hitting boundaries at will, dear reader!
Now let us look at the main weapon in the arsenal of the bowler, the cricket ball.
The Cricket Ball
The standard cricket ball used in matches is a red or white leather ball made up of four pieces of leather, that has been coated with gloss to make it shiny and less susceptible to air-resistance when being bowled. When the ball is shiny, it is known as a new ball, when it has lost part of its shine as a match progresses, it is known as semi-new, and finally once it has lost most of its shine, it is called an old ball, which looks like this.
A seam runs along the circumference of the ball, and allows the ball to deviate in direction after it bounces off the pitch, after being bowled. This provides the bowler with a good means of taking wickets and dismissing batsman. The newer ball is usually used by the pace bowlers who require the ball to move faster through the air as well as make slight deviations in the air and after the bounce (check the section on bowling skills for more details on what this is called and how to do this). Also, the seam is harder when the ball is newer.
When the ball gets a little older, often after around 10 to 20 overs have been bowled with it, the spin bowlers use it has it moves slower through that air, allowing it to build up more rotations before bouncing off the pitch, and also because the ball know can change in pace while moving in the air. This is known as drift (again, see the section on bowling skills for more information on how to do this).
Now let us look at equipment used by wicketkeepers.
Keeper Pads
These pads are a slightly smaller and more specialised version of the regular batting pads, which we looked at earlier. They are worn by the wicketkeeper so as to protect his legs from contact with the ball. They are smaller and less bulky due to the nature of the wicketkeeper's job, which requires him to shuffle around quickly, as well as dive through the air to take catches and edges.
Helmet
This is usually worn by the keepr when he is standing up close to the stumps, behind the batsman, so as to give himself the chance to take a stumping. Due to the shorter distance between the bowler and the keeper now, the chances of the ball hitting the keeper's face, whether directly or after being edged off the batsman's bat, are high. Thus, a helmet is important. When the keeper stands further back, usually to that fast bowlers, so as to collect edges, he usually wears a cap as it is less bulky and allows for more mobility.
Keeper inner gloves and gloves
Inner gloves, or inners, are worn on the hands before the keeping gloves are worn. Since the keeper usually collects the balls bowled by the bowlers that beat the batsman or are left by him, and also throws from fielders, he needs to wear keeping gloves and inner gloves to protect his hands from injuries. Remember, dear reader, that the wicketkeeper is sometimes also required to bat when his side is batting.
Whether batting, bowling or keeping is your fancy, as a cricketer you should be familiar with all this equipment to be able to play cricket properly. Knowing and possesing these things is essential to progress in learning how to play cricket!
Basic Attire
In most levels of cricket, whether club, school or state, the attire expected of cricketers is usually the same. Nowadays, the top is a dri-fit or climacool jersey, and the pants are made from a special material, and are known as whites.
Specialised cricket shoes are also required, so that batsman have some grip on the pitch while they are batting (for balance), and also for bowlers so that running up before bowling to gain momentum is not difficult. The shoes usually are white, and come with special studs which are replacable.
Now let us look at the basic apparel and equipment used by batsman while they are batting.
Helmet
The basic function of the helmet of course is to protect the head and face of the batsman, especially from bouncing deliveries or balls bowled directly at the face. It can be tightened using the buckle (used to fasten it around the neck) as well as a screw at the back.
Leg Pads
These pads are fastened around the batsman's legs using 3 straps at the back of each pad, again for protection.
Gloves
A pair of gloves are used, one on each hand of course, to prevent injuries to the hands and fingers, which can be huge threats to a cricketer's career. Take it from How to Play Cricket: ALWAYS use gloves when batting, even for practice.
Groin Guard
The groin guard, or box as it is known is cricket, is of course very important, if you want to celebrate Father's Day that is. It is usually worn between the whites and the undergarments, and comes attached with a fastening mechanism. Again, it is a must have, whenever you are batting!
These are the basic things needed for you to begin batting. At the higher levels, where bowling is at very high speeds, other forms of protection are also used by batsman. Let us look at some of these.
Thigh Pad
This pad is fastened around the batsman's thigh to protect it from being hit by the ball. Again, this is usually worn between the whites and the undergarments
Arm Guard and Chest Pad
The arm guard is worn on the arm of the batsman that faces the bowler, which is the left arm for right handers and the right arm for left handers.
The chest pad is worn under the jersey, and is used again for protection against bouncin deliveries or those that come directly at the chest.
This basically covers all the apparel used by batsman in the game of cricket. Now let us look at the equipment used by batsmen, which is actuall just one thing. Here is the main weapon of mass destruction wielded by batsman, the cricket bat.
The Bat
Bats are made of willow, usually either Kashmir willow from India, or the more common and widely used English willow from, well, England. Each bat has 2 segments: The handle, and the blade. The Handle is where the batsman holds the bat when batting, and it is covered with a rubber covering, which gives it more friction, allowing the batsman to have a better grip of it. The blade is the rest of the bat, which makes contact with the ball bowled by the bowler, and is used to strike the ball and score runs. Each bat has a section which is the thickest and widest, known as its sweet spot. Batsman usually try to hit the ball using this sweet spot, as it makes strongest and cleanest contact with the ball at this point, sending it a further distance. With proper timing and use of the sweet spot, clearing the boundary becomes increasingly easier for batsman. Look forward to begin hitting boundaries at will, dear reader!
Now let us look at the main weapon in the arsenal of the bowler, the cricket ball.
The Cricket Ball
The standard cricket ball used in matches is a red or white leather ball made up of four pieces of leather, that has been coated with gloss to make it shiny and less susceptible to air-resistance when being bowled. When the ball is shiny, it is known as a new ball, when it has lost part of its shine as a match progresses, it is known as semi-new, and finally once it has lost most of its shine, it is called an old ball, which looks like this.
A seam runs along the circumference of the ball, and allows the ball to deviate in direction after it bounces off the pitch, after being bowled. This provides the bowler with a good means of taking wickets and dismissing batsman. The newer ball is usually used by the pace bowlers who require the ball to move faster through the air as well as make slight deviations in the air and after the bounce (check the section on bowling skills for more details on what this is called and how to do this). Also, the seam is harder when the ball is newer.
When the ball gets a little older, often after around 10 to 20 overs have been bowled with it, the spin bowlers use it has it moves slower through that air, allowing it to build up more rotations before bouncing off the pitch, and also because the ball know can change in pace while moving in the air. This is known as drift (again, see the section on bowling skills for more information on how to do this).
Now let us look at equipment used by wicketkeepers.
Keeper Pads
These pads are a slightly smaller and more specialised version of the regular batting pads, which we looked at earlier. They are worn by the wicketkeeper so as to protect his legs from contact with the ball. They are smaller and less bulky due to the nature of the wicketkeeper's job, which requires him to shuffle around quickly, as well as dive through the air to take catches and edges.
Helmet
This is usually worn by the keepr when he is standing up close to the stumps, behind the batsman, so as to give himself the chance to take a stumping. Due to the shorter distance between the bowler and the keeper now, the chances of the ball hitting the keeper's face, whether directly or after being edged off the batsman's bat, are high. Thus, a helmet is important. When the keeper stands further back, usually to that fast bowlers, so as to collect edges, he usually wears a cap as it is less bulky and allows for more mobility.
Keeper inner gloves and gloves
Inner gloves, or inners, are worn on the hands before the keeping gloves are worn. Since the keeper usually collects the balls bowled by the bowlers that beat the batsman or are left by him, and also throws from fielders, he needs to wear keeping gloves and inner gloves to protect his hands from injuries. Remember, dear reader, that the wicketkeeper is sometimes also required to bat when his side is batting.
Whether batting, bowling or keeping is your fancy, as a cricketer you should be familiar with all this equipment to be able to play cricket properly. Knowing and possesing these things is essential to progress in learning how to play cricket!
How to Play Cricket - The Rules of the Game
You can't consume food without knowing that you have to put food in your mouth first. In the same way, you can't play cricket without knowing what the rules of cricket are first. There are actually 42 Laws of Cricket. However, as a budding cricketer, you need not lose hair over remembering all of them; here I will cover just the absolute must-know rules of the game. Let us first look at bowling violations.
Wide Delivery
This occurs when the bowler bowls the ball too far away from the batsman, either behind his legs or too far from his bat. 1 penalty run is usually awarded to the batting side, and an extra ball has to be bowled. The signal made by the umpire is both hands raised to the side, parallel to the ground.
In addition, a wide delivery may run down to the boundary if not stopped by the wicketkeeper or fielders. In this case, 4 runs are also awarded.
No-ball
A no-ball is bowled when the bowler oversteps when delivering the ball to the batsman. This occurs when, at the point of release of the ball by the bowler, his leading foot (which he uses to gain torque), is over the crease. This is the same crease in which the batsman must be to prevent himself from being run out.
The bowler is said to have overstepped. Another way in which a no-ball can be bowled is when the delivery does not bounce and goes straight to the batsman, above waist height, or when after the bounce, the ball reaches the batsman above shoulder height. The signal made by the umpire is similar to that made when a wide delivery is bowled, except that in this case, only the right arm is raised.
Again, a penalty run is usually awarded, and an extra ball has to be bowled. Unlike with a wide delivery, a batsman cannot be dismissed off a no-ball. For example, if a bowler oversteps and manages to hit the wicket with his delivery, a wicket is not granted and the batsman is not dismissed.
Now let us look at mistakes that fielders can make.
Overthrows
An overthrow occurs when a fielder thorws the ball at either wicket in an attempt to get a run out but misses it, with the ball rolling further past the wicket. The 2 batsmen can keep running and score more runs until the ball is thrown back towards the stumps and a fielder or the wicketkeeper at either wicket collects its, and the umpire signals a dead ball. An overthrow can even occur when a fielder manages to hit the stumps, but with the batsman already in his crease, such that the ball continues moving in another direction after hitting the stumps, allowing the batsman to take more runs. If an overthrow reaches the boundary 4 or 6 runs are awarded taking into account how it crossed the boundary, whether along the ground or directly through the air.
Now let us look at another rule, the leg-bye rule.
Leg-Bye
A leg-bye is awarded when the ball delivered by the bowler hits the pads of the batsman (covering his legs; check the section on cricketing equipment and apparel for more information), in such a fashion that it is not LBW, and the batsmen manage to take runs. The number of runs are of course awarded accordingly. Again, if the ball manages to reach the boundary after taking a touch of the batsman's pads, 4 runs are awarded.
Now that you know these rules, you are effectively on your way to becoming a full-fledged cricketer. Check out the next section on cricketing equipment and apparel to find out what you need to kick-start your journey into the cricketing world, and learn how to play cricket.
Wide Delivery
This occurs when the bowler bowls the ball too far away from the batsman, either behind his legs or too far from his bat. 1 penalty run is usually awarded to the batting side, and an extra ball has to be bowled. The signal made by the umpire is both hands raised to the side, parallel to the ground.
In addition, a wide delivery may run down to the boundary if not stopped by the wicketkeeper or fielders. In this case, 4 runs are also awarded.
No-ball
A no-ball is bowled when the bowler oversteps when delivering the ball to the batsman. This occurs when, at the point of release of the ball by the bowler, his leading foot (which he uses to gain torque), is over the crease. This is the same crease in which the batsman must be to prevent himself from being run out.
The bowler is said to have overstepped. Another way in which a no-ball can be bowled is when the delivery does not bounce and goes straight to the batsman, above waist height, or when after the bounce, the ball reaches the batsman above shoulder height. The signal made by the umpire is similar to that made when a wide delivery is bowled, except that in this case, only the right arm is raised.
Again, a penalty run is usually awarded, and an extra ball has to be bowled. Unlike with a wide delivery, a batsman cannot be dismissed off a no-ball. For example, if a bowler oversteps and manages to hit the wicket with his delivery, a wicket is not granted and the batsman is not dismissed.
Now let us look at mistakes that fielders can make.
Overthrows
An overthrow occurs when a fielder thorws the ball at either wicket in an attempt to get a run out but misses it, with the ball rolling further past the wicket. The 2 batsmen can keep running and score more runs until the ball is thrown back towards the stumps and a fielder or the wicketkeeper at either wicket collects its, and the umpire signals a dead ball. An overthrow can even occur when a fielder manages to hit the stumps, but with the batsman already in his crease, such that the ball continues moving in another direction after hitting the stumps, allowing the batsman to take more runs. If an overthrow reaches the boundary 4 or 6 runs are awarded taking into account how it crossed the boundary, whether along the ground or directly through the air.
Now let us look at another rule, the leg-bye rule.
Leg-Bye
A leg-bye is awarded when the ball delivered by the bowler hits the pads of the batsman (covering his legs; check the section on cricketing equipment and apparel for more information), in such a fashion that it is not LBW, and the batsmen manage to take runs. The number of runs are of course awarded accordingly. Again, if the ball manages to reach the boundary after taking a touch of the batsman's pads, 4 runs are awarded.
Now that you know these rules, you are effectively on your way to becoming a full-fledged cricketer. Check out the next section on cricketing equipment and apparel to find out what you need to kick-start your journey into the cricketing world, and learn how to play cricket.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
How to Play Cricket - The game itself
Basics
A game of Cricket is contested by 2 sides, with each side contaning 11 players. The game is traditionally played out in sections known as innings. In one innings, one of the sides is batting, and the other side is fielding. The game is played in a roughly-oval shaped field. In the centre of the field lies a strip of earth, known as the pitch.
On either side of the pitch 3 wooden stumps are erected, known as a wicket.
At any point in time, 2 members of the batting side are at the pitch playing, while all eleven members of the fielding side are playing.
Now let us look at the different positions players can take in a cricket team. When a side is batting, of course, the only position each player in the side can take is that of a batsman.
The Batsman
As mentioned earlier, 2 batsman are playing at any point in time. Batsmen have 2 roles. Firstly, their priority is to protect their wicket. They do this they positioning themselves in front of a wicket, and by using their bat to prevent a ball bowled by the bowler (which will be covered later), from hitting the wicket. The second role of the batsmen is to score runs. They can do this by hitting the ball and then running from one wicket at one end of the pitch to the other at the other end, one run is scored when both batsmen (the one who hit the ball and the other, positioned at the other end of the pitch), successfully manage to exchange places. In addition, the perimeter of the field is bounded by a rope known as the boundary. If a batsman manages to hit the ball such that its crosses the boundary, runs are immediately awarded, regardless of whether the batsmen ran between the wickets. If the ball crosses the boundary directly along the ground, 4 runs are awarded, and if it crosses the boundary without making contact with the ground, 6 runs are awarded. Only one batsman faces the bowler at any time.
Now let us look at positions held by players in the fielding side:
The Bowler
The bowler in essence is the direct adversary if the batsman. His job is to hurl or bowl the ball in such a manner that it hits the 3 stumps guarded by the batsman facing him, thus "taking the wicket" of the batsman or dismissing him; the batsman is out of the game. The bowler bowls the ball usually in such a fashion that it bounces once off the pitch before going on to hit the wicket. Another way a bowler can dismiss a batsman is to bowl the ball in such a way as to induce the batsman to hit the ball into the air so that a fielder (which will be covered later), can catch it before it makes contact with the ground. A bowler can operate in 2 fashions: As a pace bowler, or a spin bowler. A pace bowler uses speed (and variations of it) and bounce to trick a batsman, while a spin bowler tries to achieve the very same by causing the ball to spin off the pitch after bowling it.
A Bowler bowls in sets of 6 balls at one go, and each set of six legitimate deliveries, with no wides or no-balls (see the page on cricket rules, bowling violations section) is known as 1 over. Once an over is bowled, it is now the trun of the non-facing batsman at the end of that over to face, and a new bowler has to bowl the next over.
The Fielder
Fielders are 9 of the 11 players in the fielding side, the other 2 being the bowler & the wicketkeeper (will be covered later). The aim of the fielders is to prevent the batsmen from taking runs. They do this by stopping the ball hit by the facing batsman, and throwing it to or at either wicket. The aim of this is to ty to get the ball to hit either wicket before one of the batsmen can reach the crease, a line which is placed a few feet before either wicket. This can be done by either the fielder directly hitting the wicket with the ball, or a fielder standing near the wicket collecting the thrown ball and hiting the stumps with it, while the batsman is out of his crease.
When the wicket is hit in such a fashion while the batsman is out of his crease, the fielding side is said to have taken a run-out.
The Wicketkeeper
The wicketkeeper is a specialised fielder who stands behind the stumps guarded by the batsman facing the bowling. The wicketkeeper is given gloves. The aim of the wicketkeeper is to take edges or nicks, when the ball takes a faint touch off the edge of the batsman's bat and moves on further past the stumps. In this essence the wicketkeeper is taking a catch. As the wicketkeeper is always positioned near one of the 2 wickets, another job of the wicketkeeper is to collect throws from fielders and hit the stumps down with the ball before the batsman can reach the crease. Lastly, the wicketkeeper's final job is to take stumpings. This occurs when the bowler bowls the ball such that the batsman is drawn out of his crease in an attempt to play the ball. If the batsman misses the ball and it reaches the wicketkeeper, the wicketkeeper now can hit the stumps down with the ball with the batsman out of his crease, thus dismissing the batsman.
Means of dismissal
So far we have covered:
Even if the batsman did not mean to use his leg, if the ball is adjudged to have been blocked from hiting the stumps in such a fashion, the batsman can be dismissed.
The Umpire
Most Cricket matches are adjudicated by 2 umpires, the main empire and the leg-side umpire. The main umpire stands behind the wicket not guarded by the facing batsman, and ensures that the rules of the game are followed. The decision as to whether a batsman is dismissed LBW, or whether a catch has been legitimately taken is made by this umpire. Hence, when a fielding side believes that they can dismiss a batsman in such a fashion, they have to appeal to the umpire. The most common form of appealing is when enogh members of the team cry "How is that?" to the umpire. The role of the leg-side umpire, or leg umpire, who is positioned on the left of the facing batsman, is to judge possible stumpings, whether the batsman was in his crease or not at the point at which the stumps were hit down.
This is the essential know-how you must possess before you can begin your foray into how to play cricket.
A game of Cricket is contested by 2 sides, with each side contaning 11 players. The game is traditionally played out in sections known as innings. In one innings, one of the sides is batting, and the other side is fielding. The game is played in a roughly-oval shaped field. In the centre of the field lies a strip of earth, known as the pitch.
On either side of the pitch 3 wooden stumps are erected, known as a wicket.
At any point in time, 2 members of the batting side are at the pitch playing, while all eleven members of the fielding side are playing.
Now let us look at the different positions players can take in a cricket team. When a side is batting, of course, the only position each player in the side can take is that of a batsman.
The Batsman
As mentioned earlier, 2 batsman are playing at any point in time. Batsmen have 2 roles. Firstly, their priority is to protect their wicket. They do this they positioning themselves in front of a wicket, and by using their bat to prevent a ball bowled by the bowler (which will be covered later), from hitting the wicket. The second role of the batsmen is to score runs. They can do this by hitting the ball and then running from one wicket at one end of the pitch to the other at the other end, one run is scored when both batsmen (the one who hit the ball and the other, positioned at the other end of the pitch), successfully manage to exchange places. In addition, the perimeter of the field is bounded by a rope known as the boundary. If a batsman manages to hit the ball such that its crosses the boundary, runs are immediately awarded, regardless of whether the batsmen ran between the wickets. If the ball crosses the boundary directly along the ground, 4 runs are awarded, and if it crosses the boundary without making contact with the ground, 6 runs are awarded. Only one batsman faces the bowler at any time.
Now let us look at positions held by players in the fielding side:
The Bowler
The bowler in essence is the direct adversary if the batsman. His job is to hurl or bowl the ball in such a manner that it hits the 3 stumps guarded by the batsman facing him, thus "taking the wicket" of the batsman or dismissing him; the batsman is out of the game. The bowler bowls the ball usually in such a fashion that it bounces once off the pitch before going on to hit the wicket. Another way a bowler can dismiss a batsman is to bowl the ball in such a way as to induce the batsman to hit the ball into the air so that a fielder (which will be covered later), can catch it before it makes contact with the ground. A bowler can operate in 2 fashions: As a pace bowler, or a spin bowler. A pace bowler uses speed (and variations of it) and bounce to trick a batsman, while a spin bowler tries to achieve the very same by causing the ball to spin off the pitch after bowling it.
A Bowler bowls in sets of 6 balls at one go, and each set of six legitimate deliveries, with no wides or no-balls (see the page on cricket rules, bowling violations section) is known as 1 over. Once an over is bowled, it is now the trun of the non-facing batsman at the end of that over to face, and a new bowler has to bowl the next over.
The Fielder
Fielders are 9 of the 11 players in the fielding side, the other 2 being the bowler & the wicketkeeper (will be covered later). The aim of the fielders is to prevent the batsmen from taking runs. They do this by stopping the ball hit by the facing batsman, and throwing it to or at either wicket. The aim of this is to ty to get the ball to hit either wicket before one of the batsmen can reach the crease, a line which is placed a few feet before either wicket. This can be done by either the fielder directly hitting the wicket with the ball, or a fielder standing near the wicket collecting the thrown ball and hiting the stumps with it, while the batsman is out of his crease.
When the wicket is hit in such a fashion while the batsman is out of his crease, the fielding side is said to have taken a run-out.
The Wicketkeeper
The wicketkeeper is a specialised fielder who stands behind the stumps guarded by the batsman facing the bowling. The wicketkeeper is given gloves. The aim of the wicketkeeper is to take edges or nicks, when the ball takes a faint touch off the edge of the batsman's bat and moves on further past the stumps. In this essence the wicketkeeper is taking a catch. As the wicketkeeper is always positioned near one of the 2 wickets, another job of the wicketkeeper is to collect throws from fielders and hit the stumps down with the ball before the batsman can reach the crease. Lastly, the wicketkeeper's final job is to take stumpings. This occurs when the bowler bowls the ball such that the batsman is drawn out of his crease in an attempt to play the ball. If the batsman misses the ball and it reaches the wicketkeeper, the wicketkeeper now can hit the stumps down with the ball with the batsman out of his crease, thus dismissing the batsman.
Means of dismissal
So far we have covered:
- Bowlers taking a wicket
- Fielders taking catches and run-outs
- Wicketkeepers taking a stumping
Even if the batsman did not mean to use his leg, if the ball is adjudged to have been blocked from hiting the stumps in such a fashion, the batsman can be dismissed.
The Umpire
Most Cricket matches are adjudicated by 2 umpires, the main empire and the leg-side umpire. The main umpire stands behind the wicket not guarded by the facing batsman, and ensures that the rules of the game are followed. The decision as to whether a batsman is dismissed LBW, or whether a catch has been legitimately taken is made by this umpire. Hence, when a fielding side believes that they can dismiss a batsman in such a fashion, they have to appeal to the umpire. The most common form of appealing is when enogh members of the team cry "How is that?" to the umpire. The role of the leg-side umpire, or leg umpire, who is positioned on the left of the facing batsman, is to judge possible stumpings, whether the batsman was in his crease or not at the point at which the stumps were hit down.
This is the essential know-how you must possess before you can begin your foray into how to play cricket.
Introduction - My take on Cricket
Cricket is a sport that has been in existence for decades. Invented by the British and delivered to Asia via colonisation, what originally began as the "Gentlemen's Game" has long since evolved into a spectacle that transcends mere sporting culture. It has seen individuals elevated to the status of living gods, who literally command the adulation of billions; it has also seen whole nations sink to their knees in utter despair. Yes, cricket is no mere sport, but rather, a way of life, a religion if you will, and this is essentially what makes it such an interesting, riveting and lucrative prospect.With its growing popularity, cricket is fast becoming a very recognisable sporting term the world-over.
What is Cricket?
What are the rules of Cricket?
And most importantly, How do I PLAY Cricket?
If these are questions that plague you incessantly, and you find yourself tossing and turning in the bed at night trying to think up solutions, look no further.
Welcome to How to Play Cricket, the site dedicated to turning YOU, the uninitiated, into a CRICKETER. Within the confines of this site you will find everything from an explanation of the rules and regulations, to cricket-specific fitness techniques, specialised skills, the mental aspects and much, much MORE!
What is Cricket?
What are the rules of Cricket?
And most importantly, How do I PLAY Cricket?
If these are questions that plague you incessantly, and you find yourself tossing and turning in the bed at night trying to think up solutions, look no further.
Welcome to How to Play Cricket, the site dedicated to turning YOU, the uninitiated, into a CRICKETER. Within the confines of this site you will find everything from an explanation of the rules and regulations, to cricket-specific fitness techniques, specialised skills, the mental aspects and much, much MORE!
How to Play Cricket Welcomes You!
Ave, How, Bonjour and Good day to you! Welcome to How to Play Cricket, the blog dedicated to making you, dear reader, a full fledged cricketer. In How to Play Cricket, you will find pages with useful information on all the knowledge you must have to become a cricketer, as well as information on many products that have helped many before you, like myself, turn from novices to expert cricketers! As it is always said, "Waste not, and you will want not!" Thus, use all the How to Play Cricket resoruces well, and you will never find yourself needing another guide on how to play cricket.
Again, we thank you for undertaking this cricketing journey with us.
Again, we thank you for undertaking this cricketing journey with us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)