GREATER KANSAS CRICKET CLUB
1 History
1.1 Shepherd's game
1.2 Peasants game
1.3 Capital control
2 Cricket rules
3 The game
3.1 The aim
3.2 Players
3.3 Umpires
3.4 The start
3.5 Duration
3.6 Pitch and weather conditions
3.7 Pitch dimensions
4 Etiquette
4.1 Umpire’s decision is final
4.2 Walk when out
4.3 Applaud the new batsman
4.4 Changing condition of the ball
4.5 Distracting the batsman
4.6 Dangerous bowling
4.7 Time wasting
4.8 Damaging the pitch
4.9 Stealing a run
5 Scoring guide
5.1 Runs off the bat (1,2,3)
5.2 Four runs
5.3 Six runs
5.4 No-ball
5.5 Byes
5.6 Leg byes
5.7 Wides
5.8 Penalty runs
6 Ways of getting out
6.1 Caught
6.2 Bowled
6.3 Leg before wicket
6.4 Stumped
6.5 Run out
6.6 Timed out
6.7 Handled the ball
6.8 Double hit
6.9 Hit wicket
6.10 Obstructing the field
7 Fielding positions
7.1 Wicketkeeper
7.2 Slip
7.3 Gully
7.4 Point/Backward Point/Silly Point
7.5 Cover/ Extra Cover/Short Extra Cover/Deep Extra Cover
7.6 Third Man
7.7 Fine Leg
7.8 Mid Off/Deep Mid Off/Long Off/Silly Mid Off
7.9 Mid Wicket/Deep Mid Wicket
7.10 Square Leg/Short Leg/Deep Square Leg/Backward Square
8 Setting a field
8.1 Off side field
8.2 Leg side field
8.3 Attacking field
8.4 Defensive field
9 Umpire's signals
9.1 You're out
9.2 TV replay
9.3 Four
9.4 Six
9.5 Bye
9.6 Leg bye
9.7 One short
9.8 Wide
9.9 No ball
9.10 Dead ball
9.11 New ball
9.12 Penalty Runs
9.13 Last hour
9.14 Cancel call
10 Cricket equipment guide
10.1 Shoes
10.2 Batting Pads
10.3 Thigh pad
10.4 Box
10.5 Bats
10.5.1 Cricket Bat Care
10.6 Batting Gloves
10.7 Helmets
10.8 Clothing
10.9 Wicketkeeping Gloves
10.10 Wicketkeeper Pads
10.11 The Stumps
10.12 The Ball
11 Cricket jargon guide
11.1 Appeal
11.2 Average
11.3 Bails
11.4 Bat-and-pad
11.5 Boundary
11.6 Declaration
11.7 Duck
11.8 Follow on
11.9 Full toss
11.10 Golden duck
11.11 Good length delivery
11.12 Half century
11.13 Hat trick
11.14 Howzat
11.15 LBW
11.16 Long hop
11.17 Maiden Over
11.18 Middle Order
11.19 Nightwatchman
11.20 Openers
11.21 Over pitched
11.22 Pads
11.23 Pair
11.24 Partnership
11.25 Pitch
11.26 Run(s)
11.27 Run out
11.28 Run rate
11.29 Stump
11.30 Stumped
11.31 Tailender
11.32 Test
11.33 Ton
11.34 Wicket maiden
11.35 Yorker
1 History
1.1 Shepherd's game
It is far from clear how, when and where cricket was first invented, although it would appear that within England cricket has its roots in the South East. Reference was made to a game similar to cricket in the accounts of King Edward I, being played in Kent as early as the 13th Century. The word ‘cricket’ may well have been derived from a curved staff used by a shepherd that was known as a ‘cric’. This was reportedly used as a bat in front of the gate of a sheep pasture.
1.2 Peasants game
Cricket was a game played mainly by young peasants and interest is believed to have already spread abroad before it gained in popularity in England late in the 17th Century. Early in the 1760s a club was formed in Hambledon, Hampshire. They were to be the leading side for the next 25 years as they established batting and bowling techniques that would transform the game.
1.3 Capital control
Control of the game soon moved to London though after Thomas Lord opened a ground (Lord’s ground) on Dorset Fields. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) were formed there and when it moved to its St Johns Wood base (Lord’s) the turf from Dorset Fields moved with them. The MCC soon became the leading club and their revised versions of the law still govern the game today.
2 Cricket rules
Cricket is played between two teams who each get a chance to bat and bowl. When they bat a batsman is in until he’s out. When he’s out the next batsman comes in until he’s out. When all the batsmen are out, the team is all out, apart from one batsman who is not out. The team that was fielding then goes into bat until they are all out and it is a case of the team who scored the most being the winner.
3 The game
3.1 The aim
The aim of cricket is to score more runs than the opposition. But the game is played in two different formats and in some games it is possible to get a draw even if you don’t score as many runs as the opposition. That occurs only in the longer format of the game, played over anything between two and five days, when both teams have two innings.
If the team batting last are not bowled out then they can still draw the match if they have not scored as many runs as their opponents. The game is played on a large field, although most of the action takes place on a specially prepared area, known as the pitch or the wicket. At opposite ends of the pitch are the wickets or stumps which the batsmen have to protect.
3.2 Players
Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players.
The fielding team have all 11 players on the pitch at the same time.
Nine members of the fielding team can be positioned around the pitch at the discretion of the captain, while one serves as the wicketkeeper and the other is the bowler.
The bowler delivers the ball, overarm, with the aim being to get the batsmen out. Two batsmen bat at any one time, standing at opposite ends of the pitch.
The batsman facing the bowler is described as being ‘on strike’. One run is scored each time the batsmen cross and reach the crease at the opposite end from which they started.
Although all 11 players have the opportunity to bat, the team are deemed to be ‘all out’ when ten wickets have fallen as the ‘not out’ batsman is left without a team-mate at the other end of the wicket.
A team does not have to be all out for an innings to close.
If a captain feels that his team has scored enough runs then he can bring the innings to a close by what is called a declaration.
IT’S A FACT: Teams also have a 12th man who acts as a substitute fielder if one of the first XI are injured. The 12th man is not allowed to bat or bowl though.
3.3 Umpires
Two umpires officiate on the game from out on the field of play, but at international level there is also a third umpire on the sidelines and a match referee.
One umpire stands behind the stumps at the bowler’s end of the pitch, while the other umpire stands at square leg.
The former rules on lbw decisions, no-balls, wides and leg byes, while the latter assists with stumpings and run outs and may help on the question of whether a catch has carried or not if there is uncertainty.
The batsmen should be given any benefit of doubt.
The umpires change position at the end of each over.
A batsman is only given out if done so by an umpire following an appeal from the fielding side or if the batsman voluntarily leaves the crease believing he is out under the Laws of the game.
If a batsman stands his ground and no appeal is made by the fielding side then he should not be given out by an umpire, even if he should be out under the Laws of the game.
The umpires indicate no-balls, byes, leg-byes, wides and boundaries to the scorers, who are responsible for keeping a running total of the runs scored.
The third umpire can make use of video evidence to rule on run outs, stumpings, whether a ball has hit the ground before being caught or when it is unclear if the ball has crossed the boundary or not.
However, the third umpire can only rule if the decision is referred to him by the umpires out on the pitch.
The match referee rules on disciplinary matters.
If a player shows dissent at a decision then the match referee usually takes action in the form of a fine against the player in question.
3.4 The start
The two captains toss a coin for the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first.
The captain winning the toss will then take a number of things into consideration such as the pitch and weather conditions and the form of his side.
Play changes end after each over. An over is a series of six legitimate deliveries bowled by one bowler.
When an over is completed play switches to the other end and continues like this throughout the game.
3.5 Duration
A match will normally be played with each side having one innings on a limited over basis or with both sides batting twice in a game played over a number of days.
Test matches are contested over five days, while County Championship matches in England are played over four days.
Limited over cricket involves both sides receiving the same amount of deliveries to score their runs from, with the winner being the team that scores the most.
In many first class competitions each side will receive up to 50 overs, but in schools cricket it is normally greatly reduced.
However, if for example a team is bowled out after 40 overs in a 50 over match, the other team still has the full 50 overs in which to beat their score.
Play in Test matches is usually split into three two hour sessions, although a minimum number of overs to be bowled in a day is also usually agreed between the sides before a series begins.
A forty minute lunch break is taken between the first two sessions of a day’s play, with 20 minutes being allowed for tea after the end of the second session.
3.6 Pitch and weather conditions
On a humid overcast day the ball is more likely to deviate in the air or ‘swing’ as it is known.
Those sort of conditions are most commonly found in the more temperate climates of England and New Zealand.
‘Greener’ wickets with more grass on and a more moist surface are found in such countries and they favor the quicker bowlers as they assist movement off the seam.
The aim for the bowler is to try and keep the seam of the ball in as upright a position as possible so that it gains maximum contact with the wicket when it pitches.
The friction of the seam in contact with the wicket generates what is termed ‘movement off the seam’.
Drier pitches, found in India and Pakistan are far more helpful to spin bowlers. The pace of such pitches is far slower, giving a spinning ball more time to grip and ‘turn off the pitch’.
But on these surfaces the bounce of the ball is far more inconsistent.
Play will be stopped in the event of rain or bad light which may make batting conditions dangerous.
3.7 Pitch dimensions
The size of the field on which the game is played varies from ground to ground but the pitch is always a rectangular area of 22 yards (20.12m) in length and 10ft (3.05m) in width.
The popping (batting) crease is marked 1.22m in front of the stumps at either end, with the stumps set along what is termed the bowling crease.
The return creases are marked at right angles to the popping and bowling creases and are measured 1.32m either side of the middle stumps. The two sets of wickets positioned at opposite ends of the pitch stand 71.1cm high and three stumps measure 22.86 cm wide in total. Made out of willow the stumps have two bails on top and the wicket is only broken if at least one bail is removed. If the ball hits the wicket but without sufficient force to dislodge a bail then the batsman is not out.
4 Etiquette
4.1 Umpire’s decision is final
You should always accept the decision of the umpire. Whether you think it is the right decision or not you should never show any dissent. You will soon find that some decisions will go in your favor and others against.
4.2 Walk when out
Sadly this is a tradition that has gone out of the game at the highest level. But there will be occasions when you know that you have got an edge through to the wicketkeeper that the umpire has missed. Whether you own up and walk is your decision. But if everyone adopts this attitude then the game would have far less controversy.
4.3 Applaud the new batsman
It is recognized as good sportsmanship in village and schools cricket to applaud the new batsman as he makes his way to the wicket.
4.4 Changing condition of the ball
Polishing, drying or removing mud from the ball is fine so long as no artificial substance is used. Any other interference with the seam or surface of the ball in an effort to alter its condition is not allowed.
4.5 Distracting the batsman
As a fielder you can't make any deliberate attempt to distract or obstruct a batsman. If this does happen the umpire will call a dead ball and five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side.
4.6 Dangerous bowling
Repetitive short pitched or high full pitched bowling which could cause physical injury to the batsman will be called as a no-ball and will result in a warning for the bowler. If the bowler continues with these tactics then he will receive a final warning. If the tactics are still not changed then the umpire can direct the captain of the fielding side to take the bowler off. The bowler will then not be able to bowl again during that innings.
4.7 Time wasting
If any player attempts to waste time the umpire should give a first and final warning to the whole team. Any repeat within that current innings would see five runs awarded to the opposition.
4.8 Damaging the pitch
All players are responsible for seeing that the pitch is not damaged during play. Bowlers must stay off ‘the protected area’ of the pitch. This is regarded as an imaginary rectangle that covers one foot either side of the middle stump and five feet in front. A bowler will be warned twice before the umpire can direct the fielding captain to take the bowler off and prevent him from bowling again in that innings. If a fielder damages the pitch then a caution will be issued to the fielding captain. Any repeat of this action from any fielder during the innings in progress will result in five runs being awarded to the batting side.
A batsman who damages the pitch will receive a caution from the umpire. A second occurrence during the same innings will earn a final warning and any runs scored from that delivery, other than no balls or wides, will be disallowed. Further damage is caused by the batting team then again any runs scored are disallowed and five penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side.
4.9 Stealing a run
Batsmen are not allowed to try and ‘steal a run’ during the bowler’s run up, unless the bowler has made an effort to run out either batsman. Any attempt made to steal a run will see five penalty runs awarded to the fielding side.
5 Scoring guide
5.1 Runs off the bat (1,2,3)
The most common way of scoring runs is by either batsman hitting the ball and then running between the wickets. The two batsmen have to change ends, each grounding their bat beyond the crease at the end that they are running to.
If in the process of turning to go for another run either batsman fails to ground his bat then a ‘run short’ is signaled by the umpire. This knocks a run off the score and is signaled by the umpire touching one shoulder with the hand of the same arm.
5.2 Four runs
A delivery that is hit to the boundary, either along the ground or bouncing at least once before crossing the rope, produces four runs for the batting side. The four is signaled by the umpire waving an arm from side to side, finishing with the arm across the chest.
5.3 Six runs
A six is the maximum number of runs that can be scored from one ball. It is scored when a batsman hits the ball over the boundary rope without the ball bouncing.
The umpire signals a six by outstretching both arms above his head.
5.4 No-ball
There are several types of no-ball, all of which result in an extra ball being bowled.
The most common one is the foot-fault when a bowler over-steps the popping crease, though having the back foot wider than the return crease would also result in a no-ball.
If a bowler bowls too many intimidating deliveries in one over, he can also be no-balled, so for example three short-pitched deliveries rising above the batsman's shoulders would see the third called a no-ball.
A lot of the penalties for no-balls these days are two runs and they are recorded as extras.
If a batsman still hits a four off the delivery, it counts as six to the score.
A 'no-ball' is signaled by an arm raised at shoulder height.
5.5 Byes
A bye is called when a legal delivery passes the stumps without the ball touching either the bat or the batsman's body. The number of byes scored obviously depends on the number of runs taken. The signal is one arm stretched high above the body.
5.6 Leg byes
Umpires signal a leg bye with a hand touching their raised knee and this is scored when the ball hits the body of the batsman but not the bat. The ball does not necessarily have to touch the leg to be called a leg bye - it can be any part of the body, except the hand holding the bat. Leg byes are recorded as extras.
5.7 Wides
A wide is called by an umpire with both arms outstretched when the delivery is out of the reach of the batsman and he is unable to play a correct cricket shot. Umpires are much stricter on wides in the one-day game, particularly with any bowling down the leg side. The penalty is one run, with another delivery added to that over. Wides also count in the extras column.
5.8 Penalty runs
The option to award five penalty runs is a new law that has been brought into the game. They can be awarded by the umpire in instances such as illegal fielding, time-wasting and fielders damaging the pitch, though warnings would be given first. But they could be awarded without warning for things like unfairly changing the condition of the ball.
They are treated like extras.
The umpire signals five penalty runs by bringing one arm across his chest and touching his shoulder.
If he taps that shoulder, the penalty runs are awarded to the batting side.
If he simply places the hand there, runs are given to the fielding team.
6 Ways of getting out
6.1 Caught
This is the most common way of getting out, when a fielder catches the ball directly off the bat, before it has hit the ground. The ball does not have to come directly off the bat though. It can deflect from the pad on to the bat or from the bat on to the pad and still be caught, so long as the fielder takes the ball on the full. Also if the ball hits the batter on the hand, below the wrist, then you can still be out caught, but it is not possible to be given out caught off a no ball.
When a bowler takes a catch off his/her own bowling it is referred to as being caught and bowled, and when a wicketkeeper takes the catch the batter is deemed to have been caught behind.
If the ball gets caught in a batter’s pads and a fielder removes it and attempts to claim a catch, the umpire should give the batsman ‘not out’ as the ball is deemed a ‘dead ball’.
6.2 Bowled
The first part of any batter’s job is to protect the stumps.
But if a bowler manages to get a delivery through the defenses of a batter and dislodge the bails, then the dismissal is recorded as having been ‘bowled’. This form of dismissal is the same whether the ball hits the stumps directly from leaving the bowler’s arm or whether it deflects on to the stumps off the bat or the batter. But you can not be bowled off a no ball.
6.3 Leg before wicket
The leg before wicket (lbw) law is to cricket what the offside rule is to football – confusing to plenty!
The umpire will consider giving a batsman out lbw if he believes that the ball would have hit the stumps if it had not been obstructed by the batter’s pads. But a number of things have to be taken into account by the umpire.
The batter can not be given out if:
• the ball pitches outside the line of leg stump, regardless of whether or not the ball would hit the stumps.
• the ball hits the bat before striking the pad then the batsman can not be given out.
• the batter is struck on the pad outside the line of off stump, having made a genuine attempt to hit the ball.
• the bowler bowls a no ball.
But the batter can be given out if:
• the batter is struck on the pad in front of the stumps.
• the batter is struck on the pad outside the line of off stump, having not made an attempt to hit the ball.
And now you know why the lbw law causes so much discussion.
6.4 Stumped
If a batter ventures down the wicket to meet the ball there is a possibility that he/she can be stumped by the wicketkeeper. A stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper is able to collect it and dislodge the bails before the batter is able to get their bat or any part of their body grounded behind the batting crease. Touching the batting crease with the bat or heel of the foot is not good enough to save the batter. They must have something in contact with the ground behind the crease. You can’t be stumped off a no ball, but it is possible to be dismissed off a wide.
6.5 Run out
Run outs are most frequent in limited over cricket and can happen at either end of the wicket. A run out happens when the batters in attempt at completing a run or runs are short of the batting crease when the stumps are broken by the fielding team. These can be very difficult decisions for umpires to adjudicate on and that is why at the highest level the third umpire, who has the benefit of seeing video replays, is often called upon to assist.
6.6 Timed out
Because this is not recognized as a very sporting gesture, it is extremely rare that batters are ever ‘timed out’. But there is a Law that says when a wicket falls, the incoming batter must be in position to face the next ball within three minutes of the wicket falling. Should this situation arise nobody is given the credit for the dismissal.
6.7 Handled the ball
If after playing the ball the batter is worried that it will roll back on to the stumps, he/she can knock the ball away with the bat, feet or pads. But if they use their hands then they can be given out ‘handled the ball’. When a batter picks the ball up off the pitch to assist the fielding side it is widely seen as being unsporting to appeal for them to be dismissed for handling the ball.
6.8 Double hit
Another extremely rare dismissal but a batter can be given out having hit the ball twice if the second strike is seen as intentional. However if the second contact is made to assist the fielding side or protect the batter’s wicket then he/she should not be given out.
6.9 Hit wicket
This mode of dismissal occurs when the batter either in the process of playing a shot or avoiding the ball disturbs his/her stumps. This can be with the bat or with the body, but the bowler is still credited with the wicket.
6.10 Obstructing the field
The umpire can give a batsman out if he feels that the batsman has intentionally obstructed a member of the fielding side as they attempt to take a catch or effect a run out.
7 Fielding positions
Do you know your silly point from your backward point? Confused between gully and slip? Or just unsure of the difference between mid on and mid off? Well, no need to be anymore. The Academy guide to fielding positions will ensure that you will know exactly where to go when the captain puts you in a certain position. and right up to the stumps to a slower bowler, raising the chances of stumping a batsman.
7.1 Wicketkeeper
The most specialized position within the team and the most used. The wicketkeeper stands behind the stumps, although further back if the bowler is of a quick pace. Will often stand right up to the stumps to a slower bowler, raising the chances of stumping a batsman.
7.2 Slip
Reactions have to be quick in the slips as this is where the majority of catches are taken.
Positioned on the off-side behind the wicket, first slip is alongside the wicketkeeper, with second slip, third slip etc following in the same direction.
7.3 Gully
Another close catching position just behind square off the wicket on the off side, the gully fielder has to have quick reactions.
Most chances that will come in this area will be from forceful shots from the batsman that have not been kept down, so the ball is likely to be traveling very quickly.
7.4 Point/Backward Point/Silly Point
This position is usually reserved for the best fielder in the team. Found square of the wicket on the off-side it is a key position for fielding forceful shots off the back foot such as a square cut. Backward point is slightly behind square of the wicket, while silly point, as the name suggests is not a great place to field. Most commonly employed when a spin bowler is in action in an effort to snap up any bat-pad chances, it involves standing just a couple of yards from the batsman, square of the wicket on the off-side.
7.5 Cover/ Extra Cover/Short Extra Cover/Deep Extra Cover
The cover area spans from point all the way round to mid-off and is another crucial off-side position. Again populated by one of the more active fielders in the side the position aims to stop drives off the front or back foot. Extra cover is positioned between the regulation cover fielder and mid off, and if that fielder is then brought into a catching position closer to the wicket then it becomes short extra cover. Deep extra cover is a more defensive position, situated out on the boundary.
7.6 Third Man
Third man is generally a run saving position at around 45 degrees to the wicket on the off side. It covers a large area, covering anything that pierces the slip and gully area.
7.7 Fine Leg
Usually an area associated with bowlers, hoping to gain something of a rest between overs. The position is on the leg side at around 45 degrees to the wicket.
7.8 Mid Off/Deep Mid Off/Long Off/Silly Mid Off
A captain will quite often field at mid off as it is the position closest to the bowler and the ideal place from which to encourage and discuss tactics from. The mid off fielder has the job of trying to cut off the straight drive and has to stay on their toes to prevent quick singles from being taken. Mid off is normally positioned about 25-30 yards from the batsman, while silly mid off is in close to the batsman looking for bat pad chances. Deep mid off is three-quarters of the way to the boundary. Long off is right out on the boundary rope. Similar positions on the leg or on side are known as mid on, deep mid on etc.
7.9 Mid Wicket/Deep Mid Wicket
Mid wicket is positioned on the leg side, between square leg and mid on, at between 45-60 degrees from the bat. It is generally a run saving area rather than an attacking position.
7.10 Square Leg/Short Leg/Deep Square Leg/Backward Square
As its name suggests this position is square of the wicket on the leg side, next to where the second umpire stands. There are variations on this position with deep square leg set back on the boundary, while backward square mean you would be standing slightly behind the line of the wicket. Short leg is a position usually given to the youngest member of the fielding side. It is the dubious honor of standing just yards from the bat on the leg side and in grave danger of being hit. Reactions have to be very sharp, but it is an area that necessitates the fielder wearing a helmet and shin guards.
8 Setting a field
8.1 Off side field
If you have a bowler that you can rely on to bowl a disciplined line and length just outside off stump then it is possible to set a field that reflects this. With seven fielders placed on the off side it is very difficult for the batting side to score runs. But this field can only be set for a very accurate bowler. Anything on middle or leg stump will be worked away to the vacant leg side and will provide easy runs.
8.2 Leg side field
Bowling to a leg side field is usually seen as a defensive measure. But it can be used to stem the flow of runs, particularly against a batsman who is especially strong through the off-side. The employment of a deep square leg could mean that the fielding side will try and tempt the batsman with short pitch bowling that could be pulled or hooked in the air.
8.3 Attacking field
With three slips, a gully and a short leg all up in catching positions this is an attacking field that you are likely to see at the start of a Test match. It does need the bowler to bowl an attacking line on or just outside off stump. The field can be made more attacking by moving the mid on into either fourth slip or point.
8.4 Defensive field
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A defensive field may be required if you are struggling to contain the opposition batsmen or if a bowler is struggling to bowl a consistent line and length. By having cover on the boundary on all sides of the ground the chances of the batting side scoring boundaries is limited. But with only two close catchers the chances of taking a wicket are also greatly decreased.
9 Umpire's signals
Legendary Test match umpire David Shepherd gives his unique insights into the secret world of life in the middle. 'Shep' is one of the most colorful and charismatic figures in the world of cricket and this is his definitive guide to umpiring. All the calls and signals are displayed with explanatory text outlining why and when umpires would indicate their decisions.
9.1 You're out
Obviously you take the time to think about this decision, though I myself tend to give batsmen out fairly quickly. Other umpires might take a little longer, but the raising of the dreaded index finger means that the batsman has to leave the crease. There are many ways to get out in cricket, but there's only one signal and as soon as that finger goes up, the batsman's got to go. If there is any sign of dissent, the referee would come in to play and dish out punishment if he sees fit. He hates dissent or anything like that and rightly so. Players don't only have a responsibility to the team they are playing for; they have a tremendous responsibility to everyone who is watching the game. They must make sure this game is played properly and will last for future generations.
9.2 TV replay
The third umpire is called upon to look at television replays by a field umpire signaling a square mime of a TV screen. Run outs, stumpings, doubtful catches and boundary issues can all be passed on and this has been a great help with crucial decisions. I was always a bit suspicious of TV entering our game in this way, but I've been more than pleased with how it has gone. We have a very difficult job to do and our duty is to try and get everything correct. Because we are only human, that's not always going to be possible so anything that helps us to get a higher percentage of decisions correct must be good for cricket. The players deserve those correct decisions, as does the game itself, and television has proved it can be put to good use. We are not able to refer things like LBW decisions - not yet anyway.
9.3 Four
The boundary four is signaled by waving an arm from side to side, finishing with the arm across the chest. Each individual umpire has his own way of signaling a four. They all vary slightly - we've all got our own idiosyncrasies. For any boundary incident, such as the issue of whether a four has been scored, we can call for a TV replay and get an adjudication from the third umpire if required. If there are no television cameras present, we have to rely on the integrity of the fielder really. We would ask him and hope he is an honest boy who will give us a truthful answer. That's how it used to be anyway! Usually though, the guys really are pretty honest.
9.4 Six
The six is, of course, signaled when the ball has cleared the boundary and the umpire raises both hands above his head. Sometimes I might give my fingers a bit of a waggle. Other umpires may raise three fingers on each hand to further signal the six, or perhaps all five on one hand and one on the other. I think everyone enjoys watching a good six, except the bowler concerned. As with the four, umpires are entitled to call upon a TV replay if we aren't sure if the ball has cleared the ropes
9.5 Bye
A bye is called when a legal delivery passes the stumps without the ball touching either the bat or the batsman's body. The number of byes scored obviously depends on the number of runs taken. The signal is one arm stretched high above the body.
9.6 Leg bye
Umpires signal a leg bye with a hand touching their raised knee and this is scored when the ball hits the body of the batsman but not the bat. The ball does not necessarily have to touch the leg to be called a leg bye - it can be any part of the body, except the hand holding the bat. I've not yet fallen over while signaling a leg bye, but there's always time!
9.7 One short
This would be called when a batsman is running two or more, but fails to make his ground and puts his bat in short at one of the turns. Knocking a run off the score is signaled by touching one shoulder with the hand of the same arm. We also have a penalty clause now for a batsman who runs deliberately short. You may well ask why a batsman would want to do that, but he may well want to keep the strike. If a good batsman is in and wants to protect a 'rabbit' at the other end, he might run two with one short in order to retain the strike, knowing that only one would be added to the score. If he does that now, we can penalize him and no runs would count. It's cheating really, but it very rarely happens. I can't imagine any batsman giving that serious consideration, though of course it can happen by accident.
9.8 Wide
A wide is called with both arms outstretched when the delivery is out of the reach of the batsman and he is unable to play a correct cricket shot. In the one-day game, we tend to narrow the range of the wides, particularly down the leg side. We try to encourage the bowlers to bowl straighter and to make it more entertaining for the crowd. It's important that the batsman can have a fair shot at it. The penalty is one run, with another delivery added to that over.
9.9 No ball
A 'no ball' is called if a bowler has over-stepped the popping crease and this is signaled by an arm raised at shoulder height. There are several types of no ball. The most common one is the foot-fault, though having the back foot wider than the return crease would also result in a no-ball. If a bowler bowls too many intimidating deliveries in one over, he can also be no-balled. Three short-pitched deliveries rising above the batsman's shoulders would be the right time to call a no ball.
9.10 Dead ball
The dead ball is called when someone is injured and either the players or the umpire require medical attention. Umpires would make the same signal if a batsman steps away from his crease when he is not ready to receive the delivery. That signal is the crossing of the wrists below the knee and the delivery should recommence without the original one counting.
9.11 New ball
In Test cricket, the fielding side may request a new ball after it has been in use for 80 overs. The batsmen would be informed and the umpire would indicate the new ball to the scorers by raising it for them to see. The new ball usually brings the quicker bowlers back on and the whole pace of the game would change with them. The ball does get wear and tear and if it becomes ragged or out of shape in fair circumstances, we would replace it with a ball which had been used for the same number of overs.
9.12 Penalty Runs
A revision of the laws was made in order to punish those who often step out of the line. The MCC brought in a five-run penalty, but hopefully it will never be invoked and umpires will not have to use it. It is there in his armory if the umpire needs it though. Penalty runs are treated like byes and leg byes as they are added to the extras. They could come into play for a variety of reasons; things like illegal fielding, time-wasting and the fielders damaging the pitch, though warnings would be given first. Penalty runs could be awarded without warning for things like unfairly changing the condition of the ball. The rules vary for offences by the batting team and penalty runs usually only come into play after warnings have been given or the runs taken have been cancelled... or both. It's quite complicated, but hopefully I won't have to consult my rule book. As I said, I hope this call is never made. The umpire signals five penalty runs by bringing one arm across his chest and touching his shoulder. If he taps that shoulder, the penalty runs are awarded to the batting side. If he simply places the hand there, runs are given to the fielding team.
9.13 Last hour
As the title suggests, the umpire tapping his wristwatch would signal that the last hour of play has commenced. In Test matches, we have a minimum number of overs to be bowled in a day and 15 must be bowled per hour. The last hour starts at 5pm, unless there are circumstances where an hour or more of play has been lost and we can make up to an hour's play back that night. Some international boards agree that you may add the time on at the start of the following morning. In England, because we have lighter evenings, we tend to add the time on at the end of the day. At Test venues abroad, where the sun goes down very quickly, they may split the hour between the beginning and the end of the day's play. On the last day of a county game, when 96 overs have to be bowled, we must have 80 overs and then the last hour would start. That would be 5pm or later, though never before then.
9.14 Cancel call
If we wish to alter a decision that had been made, we can cancel the call by touching each shoulder with the opposite hand. It doesn't happen very often and I think I've seen it just a couple of times in my career, thankfully not by me because it means a mistake has been made. I probably ought to have used it a couple of times, but, as yet, I still haven't called that.
10 Cricket equipment guide
Most clubs provide bats and all the protective gear, but in time you may want your own kit. And there's so much of it you might feel like you are packing to go on holiday each time you play... But a hard cricket ball can do a lot of damage - so protective gear is essential. It will stop you getting hurt - though broken fingers can be an occupational hazard.
10.1 Shoes
Cricket shoes have developed greatly so that the modern cricket footwear has moved much closer to those worn on an athletic or leisure basis. The most important thing to look for in a cricket shoe is comfort, and decent grip provide by the sole. This may be in the form of spiked shoes, pimpled rubber soles or a combination of both. Batting shoes will normally consist of spikes at the front for grip and rubber treaded heels. Fast bowlers will normally have shoes with spikes at front and back, and their footwear may be more like boots to give extra support to the ankle area. But don't worry that you need to get two pairs of shoes if you are an all-rounder, one pair of cricket shoes will more than suffice.
10.2 Batting Pads
If you have ever been hit on the shins by the ball when fielding then you will know exactly why it is essential to wear pads when batting. They are there for protection, but make sure they fit comfortably and properly as you will need to be able to move quickly and freely in them.
And while you want to keep your bat close to your pads to produce a large barrier, you don't want to let it interfere with your batting strokes. The horizontal panels on the front of the pad should be at knee height, with the pad then continuing up the lower thigh. Make sure that your pads are securely fastened, normally by three velcro straps, but adjust them to the most comfortable setting to run in.
10.3 Thigh pad
Whether or not you wear a thigh pad will be down to personal preference. It is a lightweight piece of protective equipment which is worn on the outside of the thigh which is closest to the bowler. Two straps, one around the waist, and one around the inner thigh, hold the guard in place.
10.4 Box
No second guesses are required as to where the most painful place to be hit by a cricket ball is, particularly for boys. Therefore, what is termed a box should always be worn to protect the 'private parts' when batting against a cricket or other hard ball. Wicketkeepers and fielders positioned close to the wicket should also wear this protective equipment at all times.
10.5 Bats
There are a wide range of bats available, but most importantly you need to have one that is the right size and weight for you. Bats come in different sizes and handle lengths. Try and use a bat which when stood upright next to you has the top of the handle reaching the top of the thigh. Weights of bats also vary and are measured in pounds and ounces. Some stars such as Lance Klusener are renowned for using heavy bats, but it is far easier for upcoming players to develop their technique with a much lighter bat.
A good test to see whether the weight of the bat is right for you is to swing the bat with only the top hand (left hand for a right handed batter). If you are able to produce reasonably good straight and cross batted strokes and a controlled backswing then the weight of the bat is right.
10.5.1 Cricket Bat Care
Knocking in is the process by which the fibers of the willow blade are compressed and knitted together to help prevent damage from the impact of a cricket ball. This is best done by using an old ball or bat mallet. It is not sufficient to hit a few balls in the nets or in the garden. Knocking in should be done in a patient and thorough manner and should take no less than 6 hours in total . To a large extent, the effective life of your bat is determined by the thoroughness of your knocking in process. You are trying to make the toe and edges in particular harder than when the bat was purchased, to minimize the damage from an edged stroke.
How Do I Knock In My New Bat?
1. Using an old ball or a bat mallet like a hammer and deflect gently off the edges the way a ball might in a game.
2. Increase the force and work the edges until they show a rounded, compact appearance.
3. Use the bat to hit short catches (i.e. very light work on the face) or bounce a cricket ball up and down on the face.
4. Use the bat in the nets against old softer balls.
5. Use the bat in the nets against newer balls.
10.6 Batting Gloves
With broken fingers being one of the most common cricketing injuries it is essential that batting gloves are worn. Injuries are usually caused when the ball traps the fingers of the bottom hand against the handle of the bat. Each finger of both gloves has flexible padded areas, with the thumb of the bottom hand (right hand for a right handed batter) sporting extra protection.
10.7 Helmets
The England and Wales Cricket Board recommend that a helmet, with a faceguard, is worn by young players (up to the age of 18) whenever batting against a cricket ball. Even if you are not batting against fast bowlers a helmet will protect you against an accidental full toss or a top edged sweep or pull shot. Make sure that the faceguard is properly adjusted so that the ball can not pass between it and the peak of the helmet. Also ensure that the helmet is securely held in place by the chin strap as you will be given out if your helmet is dislodged and hits the stumps.
10.8 Clothing
It may not appear practical when diving to save a boundary but the traditions of cricket dictate that much of the game, when played at competitive level, is played in 'whites'. Despite the colored clothing worn in the one-day game, most of schools, club, county and Test cricket is still played in all white. Short or/and long sleeve jumpers are commonplace on the cricket field with bowlers usually getting the umpires to double up as a coat stand!
10.9 Wicketkeeping Gloves
The wicketkeeper has the advantage of wearing gloves, but the fact you will be catching the ball more than anyone else means you will need them. Rarely a delivery passes when the wicketkeeper is not taking the ball directly from the bowler or receiving a throw from a fielder. It will pay to wear a pair of cotton inners underneath the main gloves. The main gloves should fit snugly but still allow movement for when a keeper may need to throw the ball themselves. Gloves will feature extra protection around the ends of each finger and the join between thumb and forefinger will be a major help in catching the ball.
10.10 Wicketkeeper Pads
A wicketkeeper also requires the extra protection of wearing a box and pads. If you are new to wicketkeeping then an ordinary pair of batting pads will suffice. If you are to make standing behind the stumps a regular occurrence then you will probably find it easier in a specialized pair of wicketkeeping pads. Essentially they are similar to batting pads, but they are shorter and as such lighter in weight making them easier to move and dive around in.
10.11 The Stumps
The stumps and bails are made out of willow, forming the wickets at each end of the pitch. There are three stumps at each end, with two bails sitting across the top of them. The stumps are 28 inches high above the ground and are equally spaced to cover a width of nine inches. A batsman is only run out, stumped, bowled or given out hit wicket when one of the bails is knocked off the top of the stumps. On a windy day the umpires may use heavier bails.
10.12 The Ball
A cricket ball can be made up of two or four pieces. The inside is made of cork, with two halves of leather then wrapped around the outside as a casing. The leather is then stitched together, forming what is called the seam. This is slightly raised which is why 'seam' bowlers try to get this part of the ball to hit the pitch when it bounces and make the ball move in a different direction. The leather of the ball is polished, but the fielding side will try to keep the shine on one side and hope that the other half is roughed up. It is the shine on one side of the ball that can make a ball swing through the air. A white ball is used in one-day cricket as it is easier to see under floodlights and against colored clothing.
11 Cricket jargon guide
11.1 Appeal
When the fielding side think they have taken the wicket they appeal to the umpire (howzat?) The umpire will not always agree, but no appeal means no wicket.
11.2 Average
Batting average is calculated by dividing the number of runs a batsman has scored by the number of times he has been out. A bowler's average sees the number of runs scored against a bowler divided by the number of wickets taken.
11.3 Bails
Two wooden bails sit across the top of the three stumps at each end of the pitch. At least one bail has to be knocked off for the wicket to be deemed broken.
11.4 Bat-and-pad
When the ball hits both the bat and pad. A batsman can be caught out even if the ball hits the pad first and then hits the bat.
11.5 Boundary
The perimeter of the pitch. A ball struck to the boundary along the ground is worth four runs or if it carries all the way over the boundary without bouncing then a six is scored.
11.6 Declaration
If a team is feel they have scored enough runs they bring their own innings to an early end by making a declaration.
11.7 Duck
The dreaded score in cricket. A batsman who fails to score a run is said to have got a duck.
11.8 Follow on
If a team is 200 runs or more behind after the first innings of a Test then they can be asked to follow-on. This means the team going straight back into bat. The follow-on target is reduced to 150 in a four day game and 100 in a three day match.
11.9 Full toss
A delivery that reaches a batsman without bouncing.
11.10 Golden duck
Being out first ball without scoring.
11.11 Good length delivery
Basically it involves pitching the ball just out of the maximum reach forward of a batsman, leaving him unsure whether to play the ball off the front or the back foot.
11.12 Half century
A score of 50 or more by an individual batsman.
11.13 Hat trick
A bowler takes a hat-trick if he removes three batsmen in three successive deliveries. The three deliveries may run in sequence or could be the last two balls of a bowler's over and then the first ball of his next over.
11.14 Howzat
This is the question asked by a fielding team to the umpire when they think that they may have got a member of the batting team out
11.15 LBW
Stands for leg before wicket. The umpire will consider giving a batsman out lbw if he believes that the ball would have hit the stumps if it had not been obstructed by the batter's pads. (See Ways to get out)
11.16 Long hop
A short delivery that is easy for a batsman to hit away.
11.17 Maiden Over
An over from which no runs are scored.
11.18 Middle Order
Often the major run scorers in the team, batting from positions three to six or seven, depending on the number of specialist batsmen in the team.
11.19 Nightwatchman
A lower order batsman sent in at the end of a day to see out the remaining time, rather than risk losing a more important batsman.
11.20 Openers
The two batsmen who start the innings for a team.
11.21 Over pitched
A delivery that is easy for a batsman to hit within a comfortable stride forward from the popping crease.
11.22 Pads
Worn to protect the legs of the batsman from being hit by the ball.
11.23 Pair
A batsman who gets a duck in both innings of a two innings match is said to have got a pair.
11.24 Partnership
The number of runs scored between two batsmen during the time they are at the wicket together.
11.25 Pitch
The closely mown area in the center of the field where the major action takes place.
11.26 Run(s)
Each time the batsmen change ends a run is scored and added to the total.
11.27 Run out
A player can be run out if the wicket at one end of the pitch is broken while a batsman is out of his ground.
11.28 Run rate
This is the rate at which a team score their runs. It is calculated by the total number of runs divided by the number of overs.
11.29 Stump
The wickets at each end of the pitch are made up of three wooden stumps.
11.30 Stumped
A batsman can be stumped if in attempting a shot he leaves the popping crease and the wicketkeeper is able to gather the ball and remove the bails before the batsman regains his ground.
11.31 Tailender
The last few batsmen in a team who are not noted for their run scoring ability are known as tailenders.
11.32 Test
Test matches are played over two innings matches played over five days.
11.33 Ton
Another way of saying that an individual batsman has scored a century.
11.34 Wicket maiden
A maiden over that has also seen a bowler take a wicket.
11.35 Yorker
A delivery that pitches right at the feet or bat of the batsman.
More Fielding positions
