Cricket is a sport involving two teams of eleven players each [1]. Like in baseball, each side tries to outscore the other by batting and scoring runs. While one team bats, the other team catches in the field to try to take the batsman out. Each team bats for one or two innings, and the team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
The play
To bat successfully, the batsman must hit the ball across the field without it being caught by the other team or hitting the wicket [2]. A wicket consists of three wooden posts that stand behind the batsman. It is the opposing team’s objective while in the field to either hit the wicket while pitching the ball to the batsman of the other team or to catch the ball once the batsman has hit it. Either of these actions will get the batsman out. Bowling is the term used for the over-arm throw to the batsman and differs in both form and speed from a baseball pitch. Bowling is also generally used to describe the actions of the non-batting or fielding team.
While one batsman bats, another batsman is positioned at the other end of the oval-shaped field [1]. Once the ball is hit into the field, the two batsmen begin running toward the opposite end. When they reach their respective sides, one run is counted. They continue to run back and forth between the wickets on the field until the ball returns to the pitcher. The number of laps is equivalent to the number of runs scored by the batting team. If a batsman hits the ball to the boundary of the field, he or she automatically scores four runs for the team. If he or she hits the ball out of bounds, six runs are awarded.
A few of the motions involved in bowling.A wicket. Each wooden post
in a wicket is 28 inches high.
The posts are spaced in such
a way to prevent any ball
from passing between them.
During a play, there are key team members on the field in specific positions [1]. The batsman who is up to bat is called the striker, and the other batsman on the field is called the non-striker. The wicketkeeper stands by the wicket and is responsible for catching the ball once it is hit, or in some cases when it is not hit. The bowler’s job is to bowl the ball to the batsman in an effort to get him or her out. The remaining nine players on the non-batting team are fielders, and the other players on the batting team wait on the sidelines for their chance to bat. There are also two umpires and a match referee who preside over the game.A little history
Modern evidence shows that the sport of cricket dates back to the 13th century [3]. The earliest documented game between eleven players was recorded in 1697 in England. Over the years, rules and laws were added, and bowling was refined to accommodate a faster-paced game. By the 20th century, more than 100 nations participated in cricket. Today, cricket’s popularity and appeal has reached the far corners of the world, and the sport is a particular favorite in Australia, India, Pakistan, the West Indies and the British Isles.
