What are the Rules of Cricket? – Basic Rules to Play the Game Better

Cricket is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in the world. The sport not only unites the nations but also has the biggest fan base. In many countries, watching sport is usually a family affair. Here is an article about what are the rules of cricket to help you understand the game better.

At the present time, cricket is highly popular in India, Australia, and England. However, the popularity of this amazing sport is naturally increasing across the globe. You might have heard people at the social gathering and workplace talking about cricket. And if you don’t know much about the basic rules of cricket, it might be difficult for you to be a part of their conversation. 

In order to help you to enjoy such conversations, here is an article on cricket game rules and how to play cricket. In order to get an idea about what is a cricket game, continue reading the article. 

What are the Rules of Cricket?

Now you, if you are thinking, how does cricket work? Watching cricket without knowing the rules is a daunting task. This game of bat and ball might look simple, but comprises a wide range of rules. 

Basic Rules of Cricket

Cricket is played between two teams with 11 players in each team. There are also reserve players who play the game when a player is injured during the game. The main intent of the game is to score more runs from the opposite team. Here are some basic rules of cricket. 

• The game comprises five basic equipment – the bat, the ball, the stump, the wickets, and the bails. 
• It is played between two teams with eleven players and one reserve player in each team. The eleven players include bowlers, batsmen, and wicket-keeper. 
• The game is played on an oval or circular shaped ground. The ground also comprises a smaller inner oval and a 22-yard pitch in the middle of the ground. At the end of each pitch, there are three wickets with two bails at the two of them.
• A cricket match is broken down on the basis of sections called balls. One bowler delivers a ball to the batsman, and six balls make an over.
• There are innings in the match, which include a particular number of overs or a specific amount of time. In 20-20 innings, there are 20 overs in every innings, and in a one-day international, there are 50 overs in every innings. Moreover, a test match is played for five days with 90 overs each day. 
• In the innings, the batting team has two batsmen on the ground. On the other hand, the opposing team has eleven players on the ground with one bowler, one wicket-keeper, and the remaining fielders. 
• There are also two on-field umpires in the game, who are accountable for making decisions. Moreover, there is a third umpire who monitors the game using a screen and assists with close decisions. 

Other Rules and Regulations

Apart from the above-mentioned basic rules, below mentioned are other cricket game rules and regulations.

Fielding

For all the forms of cricket, fielding has a particular set of rules. The rules allow for a fair game for the teams and also helps to avoid malicious strategy or approach. 

• During the game, the bowling team has one player, a wicket-keeper, and nine fielders, which are spread across the entire field. The positions of the fielders might change with each passing over. 
• The fielding positions are arranged in a way that two fielders are present in the quadrant between the long step fielding positions and square leg. No fielder should be present on the pitch until a batsman plays the ball. 

Below mentioned are powerplay rules. 

• During the initial ten overs of a game, only two fielders should be present outside the thirty-yard circle. 
• In between the 11th and 40th over, only four fielders should be present outside the circle. 
• In the last ten overs, i.e., 41-50, five fielders should be present outside the circle. 

Penalty Ball

There are mainly three types of penalty balls. 

No Ball 

A no-ball gives one run to the batting team. It happens when the bowler crosses the crease while bowling. These runs are credited to the overall score for the team. 

The case of no-ball also counts if the ball is above the waist of the batsman or the ball doesn’t hit the pitch. After no-ball, a free-hit is provided to the batsman. During the free-hit, the batsman can be out only via stumping or runout. 

According to the latest rules, no-balls are marked against the bowler with the intent to attain accuracy in the bowling statistics. 

Wide Ball

Wide balls also give a run to the batting team. These runs are also credited to the overall score of the team. A wide ball counts when a ball is served above the head or far from the batsman. Moreover, no part of the batsman’s bat or body touches the ball. 

It also provides the opportunity for the batsman to play an extra ball. According to the latest rules, wide-balls are also counted against the bowlers in order to attain accuracy in bowling statistics. 

Dead Ball

A dead ball happens when a ball bounces more than once before reaching the crease of the batsman. It does not give any extra run or free hit to the batting team. However, an extra ball is served. 

Bye and Leg Bye

Below mentioned are rules for bye and leg bye. 

Bye

In cricket, bye is either obtained from any legitimate delivery or no-ball. When a ball doesn’t touch anybody part of the player or the bat, then the batsman might choose to score to run. 

In such delivery, if the ball hits the boundary, then the team will get a four. The runs from bye are credited to the overall score of the team. 

Leg Bye

In cricket, when the ball hits the body part of the batsman displaying the intent to play the ball, the player can choose to score or run. In such delivery, if the ball goes out of the boundary, the batting team gets a four. 

Cricket Scoring Rules

Now that you know about the cricket game rules and regulations let’s check out the scoring rules in cricket and how teams win the game. 

Runs

In cricket, the batsmen score runs. In order to score a run, the batsman hits the ball and then runs to the other end of the pitch. The batsman has to do it before the folder catches the ball. It counts as one run. 

Boundary Runs

The batsman can also score the run by hitting the ball past the boundary. If the ball goes over the boundary by hitting the ground, then it is a four. On the other hand, if the ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground, then it is a six. 

Other Runs

When the bowler throws any ball against the bowling rules, then the batting team gets runes. It is another way to score runs in the match. 

Different Rules for Out

Now you must be thinking about the different ways how a batsman can lose the wicket. Below mentioned are some common ways a batsman can get out. 

Bowled

When the bowler throws the ball, and it hits the wicket, then the batsman is out.

Catch 

When any fielder or bowler catches the ball hit by the batsman within the limits of the boundary, then it is out. 

Leg Before Wicket

A batsman is out by leg before wicket when the ball hits the batsman’s leg. It also happens if the ball touches any body part present in the line of the stumps. Moreover, there should be the likelihood that the ball might have touched the wicket if the body of the batsman was not present there. 

Run Out

When scoring run by running, if the batsman fails to reach the crease before the ball touches the wicket, then it is run out. 

Stumped

Stumped happens when the wicket-keeper gets the ball, and he hits the bails before the batsman reaches the batting crease. 

Hit Wicket

Suppose any batsman hits the wicket down with his body or bat after the bowler has made the delivery, and the ball is in play. The batsman is also out if he hits the wicket while running for the run. 

Hit the Ball Twice

If any batsman hits the ball twice with consent or to protect the wicket, then he is out. 

Obstruction the Field

If any batsman obstructs the opposition team by action or word, then also he is out. 

Final Words

Cricket is an amazing game, which you can enjoy watching or playing. Now that you know what the rules of cricket are, you can start watching the match and discuss it with your friends. You can also play a match with your family or friends to enjoy your weekends. Do share your experience with us by dropping a comment.