Wednesday, August 6, 2008

ABC Wednesdays - C for cricket.

Last week in response to my post on Bradman, I was asked to explain the game of cricket. So here goes....

In the centre of a cricket field is a pitch, 22 yards (20.12m) long. At each end of the pitch is a set of wickets. The object for the bowler is to hit the stumps and the batter tries to prevent this by blocking the ball or better still hitting it far enough as to allow him to run to the other end of the pitch to score a run. The bowler does not throw the ball; the bowling action requires a bent arm.

Fielders try to catch the ball on the full resulting in the batter being caught out. Alternatively they field the ball and throw it back towards the pitch and hit the wickets before the runner reaches the batting crease - a line drawn across the pitch 4 feet (1.22m) from the wickets.

There are many variations on the game; a test match is played for up to 5 days. International One Day matches continue until all batters are out or all balls are bowled; 50 overs of 6 balls. School students play at lunch time until the siren sounds!

Cricket is mainly played in summer months, so I have posted a photo of a game of beach cricket that I took last January.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions go to the ABC Wednesdays' site.

6 comments:

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

Beach cricket - that's what we used to play as kids at Bridlington, Blackpool or Cleethorpes.

Bear Naked said...

Very interesting and informative.
I think it would be easier to understand for me though is if I could watch a cricket match live.
But with someone who is knowledgable sitting beside me explaining.

Bear((( )))

Leslie: said...

I agree with "bear naked" in that watching a game with a running commentary would help. I'd love to see a match.

alicesg said...

Lovely sport. I thought that cricket is mostly played on green grass. I guess every country differ.

Gordon said...

Alice - cricket IS mainly played on grass here too, but I didn't have any photos.

Patty said...

Very interesting and great photos