Cricket is a worldwide sport that’s played by millions of people every year. If you’re a fan, there are lots of interesting facts about cricket the game that you might not know.
These facts will deepen your understanding of the sport and span everything from records and statistics to cricket’s history. They’re sure to interest both ardent fans and those who are just getting into the game.
Origin
Cricket has a rich history that goes back hundreds of years. It has grown in popularity and is played by all ages, bringing different people together.
The game’s origins can be traced back to 16th century England. It is believed that it began as a children’s sport, and was later taken up by adults.
During the 18th century, the sport started to grow in popularity and spread across the country. It was also played in many British colonies, including Barbados, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Rules
Cricket is a popular sport that has a number of rules that must be followed in order to play. These laws can be a bit confusing for beginners but once understood it should be simple to learn and enjoy.
The game is played by two teams of 11 players each. The team that bats first attempts to score runs, while the other team tries to stop the batsman from doing so by bowling them out.
The game is measured in ‘overs’ and six balls are required to complete an over. Once the bowler has completed an over, another player takes his turn to bowl the ball.
Scoring system
The scoring system in cricket can be pretty confusing for newcomers. But the basics are actually quite straightforward if you know what to look out for.
In cricket, points are scored by running between two sets of wooden sticks called wickets. They’re like goals in football.
Each team has 11 players, and both are trying to score more runs than their opponent before the other side reaches 10 wickets or before all of their batters have been out.
Pitch
A cricket pitch, or track as it is also called, plays a major role in the game. It determines whether the ball will swing or not, and also affects the pace at which the ball reaches the batsmen after being delivered by the bowler.
Groundspeople spend a lot of time and effort preparing the track for each match. They also know how the cricket pitch reacts to different weather conditions.
A good cricket pitch is dry and firm with even bounce throughout. This ensures that batters can read the length of the ball, and can therefore leave it when they’re ready.
Wickets
Wickets are one of the most important elements in cricket. The game depends on the number of runs scored and the wickets taken (known as outs).
A wicket is a set of three stumps and two bails that form the target for bowlers. They are defended by the batsman.
The goal of a batting team is to score as many runs as possible while the goal of the bowling team is to dismiss the batter. When this happens, the team that has more wickets wins.
Balls
A cricket ball is made with a core of cork wrapped tightly in string and then covered in leather. It has a prominent seam with six stitches, three on each side.
There are a number of different types of balls used in cricket. These include Dukes, Kookaburra and SG balls.
The red ball is best for Test matches while the white one is ideal for ODIs and T20Is. Both the balls have their own characteristics and they also deteriorate differently.
Scores
Cricket is a team sport that requires players to bat and bowl. A player’s score is determined by the number of runs they have scored and the number of wickets they have taken.
Runs are similar to goals in football or points in basketball. They decide the winner or loser of a match.
The scoring system in cricket is relatively straightforward, though it can look incredibly complex to the untrained eye. The basic rule is that the umpire signals a team’s score to the scorers, who then record it on a scoring book.
