Easy Instructions for Playing Cricket

White shirts and slacks are not required.

Cricket was developed in England during the 16th century, becoming England's national sport in the late 1700s. Love for the game slowly spread to nearby countries as England expanded its empire. In the modern day, international matches are held between more than 100 countries, being governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Playing your own game of cricket requires a basic understanding of the rules and a few pieces of equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Large open field
• 22 players
• 3 cricket wickets
• Rope, paint, or plastic cones
• Cricket bat
• Cricket ball

Instructions

Setting Up

1. Split the players into two teams of 11. When the game begins, one team will be at bat with the intention of scoring points. The other team will be bowling with the intention of taking the opposing batter out without giving up any points. The teams will switch roles over the course of the game, reminiscent of the inning structure of American baseball.

2. Delineate the pitch in the center of the field. The pitch is a 22-yard long, 2-yard wide rectangle where most of the action will take place. Use ropes, paint, or plastic cones to mark out the area.

3. Insert the bottom tip of the three wickets (3' tall lengths of wood) into the ground at one end of the pitch. They should be positioned side-by-side approximately 4" apart.

4. Delineate the field edge with a large oval spaced approximately 50 yards from the pitch on all sides. This can be done with a rope, paint, or plastic cones.

Playing the Game

1. Place a batter from one team at one end of the pitch in front of the three wickets. Place a wicket keeper from the opposing team just behind the wickets and a bowler on the other side of the pitch.

2. Have the bowler over-hand bowl the ball at the wickets on the far side of the pitch. The batter's goal is to prevent the ball from hitting the stumps by hitting it as far away from the pitch as possible. The wicket keeper's goal is to catch the ball if the batter doesn't connect and throw it back to the bowler for another bowl.

3. Give the batting team four points if the batter hits the ball over the field edge (six points if the ball is hit over without touching the ground). The batter can also score points for his team by running from one end of the pitch down to the other and back after hitting the ball. The batter will earn one point for each run, but must be standing in front of the wickets when the bowler regains possession of the ball.

4. Call the batter "out" if the ball hits the wickets. Alternatively, if the batter hits the ball out of the pitch and is not standing at a set of wickets by the time the ball is thrown back to the bowler, the batter is out. If the batter hits the ball and it is caught by a member of the opposing team before hitting the ground, the batter is out.

5. Switch out the teams after three batters are called "out." Both teams take a turn at bat for a set number of rounds. Whichever team has more points at the end of the game wins.

Tips & Warnings

• Batters, bowlers, and wicket keeps may wish to wear protective equipment to avoid injury.

References

• How to Play Cricket: A Beginner's Guide
• Purdue: An Explanation of Cricket
• Cricket for Parents: How to Play Cricket
• Danger Mouse: Rules of Cricket

Resources

• Official International Cricket Council Website