The Rules of Cricket explores the famously intricate Laws of Cricket from the most basic understanding of how to play cricket in its various formats (Test, ODI, T20 and The Hundred). There are a different set of rules for each role, so we’ll discuss the Laws related to the respective roles of batsman, bowler, fielder, and wicket keeper separately.
The umpires are there to enforce these rules of cricket and convey their decisions to the scorers and the audience.
Cricket, a sport that originates in the heartlands of England, has traversed the boundaries of nations and cultures to captivate the hearts of millions worldwide. Its intricate blend of strategy, skill, and spirit brings players from different backgrounds together on a common playing field. Each player, donning the whites or the coloured jersey, has a …
It’s considered by all players to be the pinnacle of cricket. Test matches examine every part of a player’s technique in what is the longest format of the game. But how long does test cricket last in terms of overs? What is Test Cricket? Test cricket is an international format played by full member countries …
There are many ways of playing cricket in your garden or backyard, but gully cricket appears to be more established. Because of its rise in popularity, I thought it was time to take a closer look. What is Gully Cricket? Gully cricket is an unofficial form of the game that is played in many parts …
It’s arguably the most important fielding position in any cricket team, so let’s take a look at what a wicket keeper has to undertake during a match. What is the Role of the Wicket-Keeper? A wicket keeper stands directly behind the stumps at the batter’s end. Their main role is to stop the ball after …
Wicket Keeper in Cricket – Role of the Wicket Keepers Read More »
Bouncers can be an effective weapon for pace bowlers but there are laws in place to restrict their use. Let’s answer the question relating to the number of bouncers that can be used in an over. How Many Bouncers Are Allowed in An Over? Laws relating to bouncers differ depending on the form of the …
How Many Bouncers are Allowed in an Over? – Laws on Bouncers in Different Forms Read More »
It’s a strategic option for a batting side and it can be used in a number of circumstances. In this article I’m going to look at the subject of innings declarations – what they mean and when they can be employed. What is a Declaration in Cricket? An innings can be declared at any time …
Innings Declaration in Cricket – 10 Controversial Declarations in Cricket History Read More »
What is a Slow Over Rate in Cricket? A slow over rate occurs when a bowling side simply isn’t delivering their overs quickly enough. In test matches and in other first class games, a certain amount of overs have to be bowled in a day. In ODI and T20 cricket, teams have an allocated period …
Over Rate Rules in Cricket – What is a Slow Over Rate in Cricket? Read More »
Test matches and first class cricket are the only forms of the game where a draw is possible but what constitutes a draw and why do we have them? How can Test Cricket be a Draw? Test cricket is a timed format and there is no restriction on the amount of overs that can be …
Test Match Draw Rules – Examples of Draws in Cricket Read More »
The concept of warm up matches has come into cricket in the last few years but what are these games and what rules apply to them? What are Warm Up Matches? Warm up cricket matches are regularly held before major tournaments or series. Teams are literally ‘warming up’ for a bigger event and these games …
Cricket Warm up Match Rules – Differences Between a Regular Game Read More »
They are a fundamental part of the game of cricket and they can certainly help a batting team to boost their total. But what are extras and how are they accumulated? What are Extras in Cricket? An extra can be defined as a run which is not scored off the bat. They can occur by …
I’ve certainly wondered about how they measure distance hitting in cricket. If you’re also in the dark, then please read on and I’ll look to explain it. Six Hitting Distances At the big tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, we often see a six distance come up almost as soon as the ball comes …
How is the Distance of a Six Measured in Cricket? Read More »
As one of a number of pieces of technology aimed at helping the umpires, it’s time to take a look at the mechanics behind Hotspot. What is Hotspot in Cricket? Hotspot is a piece of technology which is used to determine whether the ball has hit the batsman, or his/her bat or pad. Infrared cameras …
Let’s Understand the Hotspot Technology in Cricket! How Does it Work? Read More »
It’s become one of the most important pieces of technology in cricket but what, exactly, is Hawk-Eye and how does it work? What is Hawk-Eye in Cricket? Hawk-Eye is a piece of cricket ball tracking technology which measures the flight of a cricket ball. The way in which it operates then allows the game’s officials …
Hawk-Eye Technology: How Does Cricket Ball Tracking Work? Read More »
New technology plays an important role in modern day cricket and I’m going to discuss the role of snicko in today’s game. What is Snicko in Cricket? Snicko is short for snickometer and its job is to help out with the Decision Review System. The technology currently in place detects whether or not the ball …
It’s necessary to go back to basics at times and in this article I’m going to talk about an innings. What is it and how does an innings slot into a game of cricket? What is an Innings? An innings is a specific section within a cricket match. A team innings is the division within …
What is an Innings in Cricket? – How Many Innings there are in a Cricket Game? Read More »
As a bowler, you need to appeal to the umpire at times in order for them to make a decision so let’s look at ‘howzat’ and the appeal process. What Does Howzat Mean in Cricket? Howzat is an abbreviated version of ‘how’s that’. The bowler, wicket keeper and any member of the fielding side who …
What Does Howzat Mean and How Does the Appeal Work in Cricket? Read More »
In this article I’m going to look at the use of Net Run Rate (NRR) and how it is calculated in order to determine winners and losers in cricket. What is NRR in Cricket? NRR stands for Net Run Rate which is a calculation devised from two separate areas. NRR takes into account the average …
What is NRR in Cricket? Net Run Rate Calculation Explained Read More »
Anyone new to cricket needs to start with the basics and this article is going to discuss the term ‘over’ with the meaning and significance that is attached to it. What is an Over in Cricket? In the present day, an over in cricket consists of six legitimate deliveries. At the end of the sequence …
What is an Over in Cricket? – How Many Balls are in an Over? Read More »
While I’ve already talked about the difference between a pitch and the outfield, it’s now time to discuss the markings on the playing area. These are essential to the laws of the game but what do they all mean? What are the Pitch Markings in Cricket? When we talk about pitch markings we’re referring to …
Cricket Pitch Markings: Crease and Guidelines on the Pitch Read More »
T20 cricket has revolutionised the game since it first came onto the scene and has achieved its aim of bringing more fans into the sport so let’s take a closer look at the phenomenon. What is T20 Cricket? T20 cricket is the shortest form of the game currently played by all ICC affiliated countries. Each …
What is T20 Cricket? – Rules of the Most Popular Format Read More »
We already know that cricket has a language all of its own and now I’m going to look at a term which could actually be interpreted in different ways. What Does Stumps Mean in Cricket? There can be three different answers to this question and the first relates to an essential piece of equipment without …
What Does Stumps Mean in Cricket? – 3 Meanings Explained Read More »
It’s a very controversial part of cricket and one that causes endless debate when an incident occurs either in international or first class cricket tso I’m now going to look at the practise of Mankading in much greater detail. What is Mankading? Mankading is the practice of running out the non-striking batsman while they are …
What is Mankading in Cricket? – Top 5 Mankading Incidents Read More »
It’s a fairly new law in cricket that offers a batsman a risk-free chance to score some runs but what else do we need to know about the free hit? What is a Free Hit in Cricket? A free hit is awarded to the batting team following all types of no balls. If a bowler …
What is Free Hit in Cricket? – All You Need to Know Read More »
We often hear players and commentators talking about the spirit of cricket but what do they actually mean? Are there laws in place to back things up or is this something of a grey area that cricket finds hard to define? What is the Spirit of Cricket? Cricket has always been seen as a gentlemanly …
The soft signal is an important part of the modern game due to all of the technology that is currently used in cricket but what is it and when is it used? What is Soft Signal in Cricket? The soft signal is given by the standing umpires to their third official and it is meant …
When I enjoy meal breaks during club cricket matches, they generally involve sandwiches and lots of cake but test cricketers need to take more care over their intake. Lunch Break Time in Test Cricket A lunch break is essential in order to separate morning and afternoon sessions. Players will be on the field for at …
FAQ: Lunch Break Time in Test Cricket – What Do Cricketers Eat? Read More »
It’s one of the less common umpiring signals in cricket but what do we mean when we talk about a dead ball? What is a Dead Ball in Cricket? A dead ball in cricket confirms that the ball is no longer in play. The most obvious case is at the end of an over when …
What is a Dead Ball in Cricket? Law Meaning Explained Read More »
They are not credited to the batsman or debited to the bowler but byes and leg byes are useful extras that are added to a team’s batting total so let’s take a moment to see what they’re all about. What is a Bye in Cricket? A bye is scored when the ball passes through to …
An LBW decision is probably the hardest for an umpire to make. There are a number of factors to take into account when deciding whether a batsman is out or not out and they have just a fraction of a second to make their judgement. What is LBW in Cricket? LBW stands for Leg Before …
LBW Rules in Cricket: How to Judge Leg Before Wicket Read More »
If you’re watching a game of cricket, live in person or on TV, it will help to follow play if you understand the various umpire signals. This is also true for players so please read on. Cricket Umpire Signals Umpire Signals Quiz We’ve compiled a quick quiz about umpire signals. Test your knowledge before and …
Cricket Umpire Signals: What They Mean Illustrated with Images Read More »
It’s a fast-paced version of the outdoor game and it’s growing in popularity thanks to the ability to play all year round. But what is indoor cricket and what are the rules? What is Indoor Cricket? Indoor cricket is a game played indoors, in an enclosed area. Indoor cricket is a distinct sport of its …
How to Play Indoor Cricket – Rules, Tips and Strategies Read More »
There are some deliveries, like the beamer in cricket that are dangerous to the batsman. However, it involves serious consequences to the bowler, no matter whether it was accidental or intentional. What is a Beamer Ball? A beamer delivery is an illegal ball in cricket which reaches the batsman at above waist height, without bouncing. …
What is a Beamer in Cricket? Dangerous Bowling and Unfair Play Rules Read More »
It’s one of the rulings that makes cricket such a unique game and, in this article, I’m going to explain all about the follow-on. What is the Follow-On in Cricket? The follow-on can only occur in a match where each team has two innings per side so we’re looking at test and first class cricket. …
What are the Follow-On Rules in Test Cricket – The Pros & Cons Read More »
Can an injured player be replaced in cricket? Under the new concussion law the answer is yes and the substitute can play a full part in the match. What does Concussion Substitute Mean in Cricket? The concussion substitute ruling means that a player can be substituted if they have concussion or suspected concussion. The replacement …
What is the Concussion Substitute Rule in Cricket? Read More »
In this section I’m going to look in depth at the subject of penalty runs and the laws covering an issue that all cricketers will want to avoid. What are Penalty Runs? Penalty runs are awarded to opposing teams when a player or group of players infringes one of cricket’s relevant laws. Depending on who …
This can be a controversial issue but it’s a very important one for bowlers so we should cover it here. Chucking, or throwing, during a delivery has been known to end careers but what does it involve? What is Chucking in Cricket? Chucking the cricket ball is effectively a throw. The arm should be straight …
What is Chucking in Cricket? All the Rules on Illegal Deliveries Read More »
One of the more complex laws in relation to cricket refers to the danger area. It’s also referred to as the protected area and, sometimes, the rough. It’s not dangerous in a physical sense but it could have severe issues for bowlers, batsmen and fielders if they fall foul of the regulations. What is the …
What is Danger Area in Cricket – Also Known as ‘The Rough’? Read More »
History was made in July 2021 as a new cricket format was launched. The Hundred is the newest form of the game and the first to be introduced since T20 in 2003. It’s largely been met with a positive response from fans but how easy is it to follow? The 100 Ball Cricket Format: Rules …
The Hundred: Rules and Explanation of the 100 Ball Cricket Read More »
A wide in cricket is an illegal delivery, any bowler should avoid. In this guide I’ll explain what a wide is, together with the laws that are associated with it. What is a Wide Ball in Cricket? A wide is an illegal delivery that is out of a batsman’s reach. It is either too wide …
Official limited overs cricket matches were introduced in England in the 1960s. The international game followed suit in 1971 and the various formats are arguably the most popular within the sport. The Difference between Test and Limited Overs Cricket So what are the main differences between test cricket and limited overs cricket? Test cricket follows …
Limited Overs Cricket: Introduction and Rules for One Day Cricket Read More »
Fielding positions are an essential part of any cricket match and, if the captain places his or her players in the correct places, it can be key to the final outcome. Cricket is a sport with unique terminology and many of the fielding positions come with their own idiosyncratic language. In this guide we will …
Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: A Simple Guide Read More »
The basic aim in all forms of cricket is to score more runs than the opposition. Taking wickets will help to keep the total down but teams need runs in order to win any match, either in test cricket or either of the established limited overs formats. But how does cricket scoring work? This guide …
How does Cricket Scoring Work? – 4 Ways to Score Runs Read More »
It’s important to understand the difference between off side and leg side in cricket, and where are these two sections during the match for a number of reasons. They are particularly crucial in terms of field positioning and the laws of the game. What is Off Side and Leg Side in Cricket? A cricket field …
Explained: The Difference between Off Side and Leg Side in Cricket Read More »
Before any game of cricket is played, the fielding side are given a brand new ball. Over the course of the match, the condition of that ball will deteriorate and, eventually, it would need to be replaced. Additional new balls are, therefore, part of the sport. In limited overs cricket matches, bowlers are not set …
When is a New Ball in Cricket? Cricket for Beginners Read More »
A ‘duck’ is an unwanted thing for any cricketer. Whether they are an experienced, capable batsman or a tailender, it’s something to avoid. Scoring a duck in cricket simply means that the batter hasn’t scored any runs in their innings before being dismissed. Over the years, the game has evolved to include terms for a …
What is a Duck in Cricket? Types of Ducks – from Golden Duck to Platinum Read More »
If a team is unhappy with a decision made by the on field umpires, they have the option for the third umpire to take a look at the standing umpire’s call. This is often referred to as DRS in cricket: By using available technology, that TV umpire can establish whether that original decision should be …
What is DRS in Cricket? Explanation for Beginners Read More »
The cricket field and pitch are two very different parts of the cricket ground. In order to avoid confusion, the field and the pitch carry very specific definitions and their dimensions are also clearly defined. In the following article, we will take a closer look at the different parts of the cricket ground, including the …
Cricket Field and Cricket Pitch Sizes – Understanding the Cricket Ground Read More »
In the sport of cricket, those who are responsible for upholding the laws on the field of play are the umpires. There are three of them directly involved in the match while another is held in reserve. In addition, there is a referee who has an entirely different job to undertake and most of their …
Originally there were 11 of them, but as the laws of cricket changed, there are altogether 10 ways to get out in cricket as of . Dismissals play a major role in any cricket match and they are pivotal to the overall result. The fielding side needs to claim dismissals in order to progress towards …
10 Ways to Get Out in Cricket: Dismissals Explained Read More »
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport and it’s the one that attracts the so-called ‘purists’. Based on the original laws, this is simply the first class game played at an international level. From the early days of the 1870s, test cricket has grown from the original two participating nations to include other …
What is Test Cricket? Rules of the Original Cricket Format Read More »
