Cricket Rules: A Brief Overview

1. The Basics:

Teams: Cricket is played between two teams, each comprising batsmen, bowlers, and fielders.

Innings: A cricket match consists of two innings, during which both teams have the opportunity to bat and bowl.

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2. Playing the Game:

Batting: The team that wins the toss decides whether to bat or bowl first. Batsmen from the batting team attempt to score runs by hitting the ball bowled by the opposition's bowler.

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Bowling: The bowling team aims to dismiss the batsmen and restrict the scoring. Bowlers deliver the ball to the batsman, trying to get them out in various ways.

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Runs: Batsmen score runs by running between two sets of wickets. If the ball reaches the boundary, they are awarded four runs, and if it clears the boundary without bouncing, they get six runs.

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3. Wickets and Dismissals:

Wickets: The primary target for the bowling team is the stumps, which are composed of three vertical posts. If the bowler hits the stumps, the batsman is out.

Dismissals: Batsmen can be dismissed in various ways, including being bowled, caught, leg before wicket (LBW), run out, stumped, or hit wicket.

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4. Fielding:

Fielding Positions: Fielders are strategically placed on the field to stop the ball and dismiss batsmen. Common positions include slips, gully, mid-on, mid-off, and wicketkeeper.

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Over: A set of six deliveries bowled by a bowler is called an over. After each over, the bowling direction changes.

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5. Limited Overs and Test Matches:

Limited Overs: One-day and T20 matches have a limited number of overs for each team, typically 50 overs per side in one-day internationals.

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Test Matches: Test matches have no such limit and can last up to five days, allowing for more strategic play.