Demystifying Cricket: Learn How (And Where) To Play

Cricket isn’t just a sport—it’s a passion for millions of players around the world. That is, with the exception of North America, where it’s still mysterious to many. So why not learn more about the insane global popularity of cricket and what makes it such a great sport for adult athletes?

We’ll cover everything you need to know about cricket, from the basic rules to the key skills you’ll need to succeed on the field. Plus, we’ll tell you where you can play cricket near you.

Why Play Cricket?

Cricket is a sport that challenges both your physical and mental abilities. It’s a game that requires precision, endurance, and the ability to think ahead and make quick decisions. Whether you’re looking to join a local club, compete in leagues, or play casually with friends, cricket offers an excellent way to stay active, build camaraderie, and enjoy a sport rich in tradition and strategy.

What The Heck Is Cricket?

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players. Games occur on a large, typically oval-shaped field called a cricket ground. In the center is a 22-yard-long pitch. At each end of this pitch stand the wickets (more on that below), which are the centerpieces of the game. Within the pitch, bowlers (like pitchers in baseball) bowl the ball to batsmen, who try to hit the wickets and score runs.

In cricket, the primary goal is to score more runs than your opponents.

The Basics Of Cricket Play: What You Need To Know

Wickets And Creases

What Is A Wicket?

Wickets serve as targets for bowlers and batsmen. A wicket is made up of three vertical wooden stakes called stumps. On top of the stumps lie two horizontal wooden bails (not attached). A wicket is broken when a bail is knocked off or a stump is knocked out of the ground.

In cricket, when a team is batting, they have ten wickets available. Each time a batsman is dismissed the team loses one of those 10 wickets.

What Is A Crease?

In cricket, creases are white lines on the pitch that define different areas of play. The three main crease types are the popping crease, the bowling crease, and the return crease.

• Popping Crease: the popping crease is the most important for both batsmen and bowlers. It is located 4 feet (1.22 meters) in front of each set of wickets and runs parallel to the bowling crease. This line extends across the width of the pitch and is effectively infinite in length for practical purposes. Batsmen have to be behind the popping crease to be safe when running between wickets. Bowlers have to keep their front foot behind the crease when delivering the ball.
• Bowling Crease: the bowling crease is the line that runs through the stumps at each end of the pitch. It is perpendicular to the pitch and extends 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 meters) across the width of the pitch. The bowler must release the ball before stepping past this line.
• Return Crease: the return crease extends from the popping crease to the bowling crease on both sides of the stumps, running perpendicular to the pitch. The bowler’s back foot has to stay within this crease when bowling the ball.

How To Score In Cricket

When you’re batting, your main objective is to score runs. You’ll get a set of six balls (called an over) from the bowler to give you opportunities to score. Here are more details on scoring in cricket:

1. Running between the wickets: After you hit the ball, you and your batting partner can run to the opposite ends of the pitch. Each successful run counts as a single score. What is a batting partner? You’ll share the field with another batter during innings, but you’ll bat separately.
2. Boundaries: If you hit the ball hard enough to reach the edge of the field (the boundary) on the ground, you score four runs automatically. If the ball clears the boundary without touching the ground, it’s a six—a coveted shot in cricket.
3. Extras: Sometimes, you’ll earn runs without hitting the ball, such as through no-balls or wides bowled by the opposition. These contribute to your team’s total but don’t count toward your individual score. What is a no-ball or wide ball? A no-ball is an illegitimate bowl, and a wide ball is one that is bowled too wide for the batter to hit.

How to Get Out: Avoiding Dismissals

As a batsman, staying in the game is just as important as scoring runs. Here’s how you can be dismissed in cricket:

• Bowled: The ball hits your stumps, dislodging the bails.
• Caught: A fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground.
• LBW (Leg Before Wicket): The ball hits your leg, and the umpire decides it would have hit the stumps if your leg hadn’t been in the way.
• Run Out: You’re caught out of your crease while attempting a run, and the fielding team hits the stumps with the ball.
• Stumped: You step out of your crease, and the wicketkeeper breaks the stumps before you can get back.

Key Cricket Positions And Skills

Cricket is a team sport with clearly defined roles. Here’s a breakdown of each position’s objective:

The Batsman: Scoring Runs and Protecting the Wicket

As a batsman, your primary role is to score runs and protect the wicket. Here’s what you need to focus on:

• Technique: Developing a solid batting technique is essential. You’ll want to master basic shots like the drive, cut, pull, and sweep. Your stance, grip, and footwork will all play a big role in how effectively you can hit the ball.

• Concentration: Batting requires intense concentration. You’ll need to focus on the ball from the moment it leaves the bowler’s hand, reading its line, length, and any spin or swing it may have.
• Running Between the Wickets: Quick, decisive running can make a big difference in close matches. You and your batting partner should communicate clearly to avoid run-outs and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The Bowler: Deliver The Ball And Take Wickets

If you’re a bowler, you must deliver the ball to dismiss the batsman or restrict their ability to score runs. There are different types of bowlers, each requiring a specific set of skills:

• Fast bowlers rely on speed and accuracy to challenge the batsman. You’ll need a strong run-up, the ability to bowl at high speeds, and the stamina to maintain your pace throughout your spell.
• Spin bowlers use slower deliveries with a lot of spin to deceive the batsman. Mastering spin requires excellent control, the ability to vary your deliveries, and an understanding of the pitch conditions.

The Wicketkeeper: The Team’s Last Line Of Defense

As a wicketkeeper, you’ll stand behind the stumps and be responsible for catching balls that the batsman misses. Quick reflexes and agility are key.

• Stumping: A key part of your role is to stump the batsman if they step out of their crease. This requires quick hands and a sharp eye.
• Catching: You’ll need to be ready to catch the ball if it edges off the bat, which requires excellent hand-eye coordination.

Fielders: Support TheTeam

Fielding is a crucial aspect of cricket, and every player on the team needs to be a good fielder. Your objectives as a fielder are:

• Positioning: Understand where to position yourself based on the bowler’s delivery and the batsman’s tendencies.
• Catching: Fielders need to be able to catch the ball cleanly, especially in critical positions like the outfield.
• Throwing: Accurate, powerful throws can make the difference between a run-out and an extra run for the opposition.

Prepare To Play: Training and Practice

Playing cricket requires a mix of physical fitness, technical skill, and strategic thinking.

Physical Fitness

Cricket might not seem as physically demanding as some other sports, but it requires endurance, agility, and strength. Some things you can do to physically prepare for playing cricket:

• Cardiovascular Training: Running, swimming, or cycling will help build the stamina you’ll need to bowl or bat for long spells or field with intensity.
• Strength Training: Build core strength, which can greatly aid your batting and bowling skills. Focus on exercises like squats, lunges, and planks.
• Flexibility and Agility: Incorporate stretching and agility drills into your routine to improve your movement on the field, whether you’re diving for catches or sprinting between the wickets.

Technical Skills Practice

Depending on the adult cricket league you participate in, there may or may not be practices. If there are, thse are the types of things you should expect in practices:

• Nets Practice: Batting in the nets allows you to face a variety of bowlers in a controlled environment. It’s the perfect place to refine your technique and build confidence.
• Bowling Drills: Practice different types of deliveries, work on your accuracy, and focus on developing variations that can trouble batsmen.
• Fielding Drills: Improve your catching, throwing, and ground fielding with targeted drills. Focus on reaction time and accuracy.

Cricket Equipment: The Gear You’ll Need

• Bat: A flat-fronted wooden bat used by the batsman to hit the ball.
• Ball: A hard, leather-covered ball with a slightly raised seam.
• Protective Gear: Including pads, gloves, a helmet, and an abdominal guard (commonly called a “box”) for protection while batting or keeping wicket.
• Clothing: Usually includes a cricket shirt, trousers, and spiked shoes for grip on the pitch.

Get Involved: Join A Cricket Club

If you’re serious about playing cricket, joining a local club is a great way to start your adventure into this sport as an adult. Besides matches and training sessions, cricket clubs are often very social, giving you an opportunity to expand your friend network.

To get started in finding a cricket league or club, be sure to check the Adults Play Sports directory.