Learning the basics of cricket can be straightforward if you focus on the core actions: batting, bowling, and fielding.
Cricket is a team sport played with a bat and ball between two sides of 11 players. The goal is for one team to score runs while the other team tries to get the batters out.
Basic Roles in Cricket
There are three main activities players perform:
- Batting: Trying to hit the ball and score runs.
- Bowling: Throwing the ball towards the wickets to try and get the batter out.
- Fielding: Catching the ball, stopping it, and throwing it back to prevent runs and get batters out.
Batting Basics
Batting involves hitting the ball bowled by the opposition. A good batting stance is crucial.
Adopting a Batting Stance
To prepare to hit the ball:
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and adopt a stance that is perpendicular to the bowler.
- You should face the bowler while standing in a sideways stance at the front of the wickets.
- Stand with your knees bent ever-so-slightly and your head tilted towards the bowler.
- Keep your back straight as you bend forward at the hips.
- Hold the bat firmly with both hands, ready to move it forward or backward.
Once in your stance, watch the ball carefully and try to hit it into space to score runs. Running between wickets completes a 'run'.
Bowling Basics
Bowling is the action of delivering the ball to the batter.
Simple Bowling Action
- Take a short run-up towards the wickets.
- Hold the ball in your hand, typically gripping it across the seam.
- Bowl the ball with a straight arm action, aiming for it to land near the batter's feet or slightly further up the pitch.
- The goal is often to make the ball hit the wickets behind the batter or for the batter to miss it or hit it high for a catch.
Fielding Basics
Fielders are positioned around the field to stop runs and get batters out.
Essential Fielding Tips
- Watch the ball: Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
- Move towards the ball: Run quickly to intercept the ball after the batter hits it.
- Stop the ball: Use your hands, body, and feet to prevent the ball from going past you. Get low to the ground for ground balls.
- Throw the ball: Once you have the ball, throw it quickly and accurately back towards the wickets or the wicketkeeper to prevent runs or run out a batter.
- Catch the ball: If the batter hits the ball into the air, try to catch it cleanly before it bounces. This gets the batter out!
Getting Batters Out
A batter can get out in many ways, but some simple ones include:
- Bowled: The bowler hits the wickets with the ball directly.
- Caught: A fielder catches the ball after the batter hits it but before it bounces.
- Run Out: A fielder hits the wickets with the ball while the batters are running between them and haven't reached the safety of the crease.
By practicing these fundamental actions – batting, bowling, and fielding – you can start playing cricket and understand the flow of the game easily.
