| Cricket is a lot of fun, especially the shorter 50/50 | | | | as possible. When he hits the ball it gives him and his |
| and 20/20 formats, where both sides have 50 overs | | | | partner, positioned at the opposite end of the pitch, |
| or 20 overs to play, respectively. If you are new to | | | | the opportunity to change sides. Both run to the |
| the game, let me tell you a little bit about it, let me | | | | other side of the pitch, this is called one run, and |
| tell you how it works, so that you can start playing | | | | that's what counts in cricket. The batting team will |
| this exciting game online! | | | | try to make as many runs as possible during the |
| A cricket game is played on an oval field, which has a | | | | course of their innings, and in the second innings the |
| 20 m long rectangular area in the middle, called the | | | | other team will fight to chase that total score. |
| pitch. Two batsmen will position themselves on either | | | | Besides running from side to side, there are other |
| end of the pitch, awaiting the ball, while defending | | | | ways to make runs. If the batsman manages to hit |
| their wicket - three sticks, called stumps - in the | | | | the ball strong enough so that it reaches the |
| ground behind them, which have little wooden pieces | | | | boundary of the field, it is counted as four runs. And |
| called bells loosely lying on top of them. These bells | | | | if he manages to shoot the ball over the boundary |
| mustn't fall down or the batsman has to leave - he's | | | | without the ball ever touching the ground before, it is |
| out! | | | | a six! It's the highest score that can be made with |
| Both teams have 11 players each. When the game | | | | one hit. |
| starts, one team is the fielding team and one team is | | | | But the batsmen have to be cautious as a slight |
| the batting team. After 50 overs - or 20, depending | | | | miscalculation can result in them being dismissed. If |
| on the format - they change sides. Each of these | | | | the ball is hit too short or too high and is caught by a |
| two halves of the match is called an innings. | | | | fielder of the fielding team, the batsman is out. The |
| Now, while all 11 players of the fielding team are on | | | | fielding side also has the opportunity to dismiss a |
| the field, only two batsmen of the opposing team | | | | batsman if they hit the wicket with the ball while the |
| are at the pitch to bat the predetermined number of | | | | two batsmen are running on the middle of the pitch. |
| overs, with each over having six balls, i.e. the bowler | | | | This is called a run out. |
| will throw the ball six times. While the bowler with | | | | There of course many nuances and details, tactics, |
| every ball he throws will attempt to either hit the | | | | exceptions and extra runs, the explanation of which |
| wicket (stumps and bells) directly and thus dismiss | | | | would fill many pages. But for now, this should get |
| the batsman, or attempt to coax the batsman into | | | | you started. So go ahead, hit the ball and enjoy the |
| doing a risky shot, the batsman will try to a) defend | | | | world of cricket games! |
| his wicket with his bat, and b) hit the ball as far away | | | | |