The Objective: The game is played between two teams of 11 players. One team bats while the other fields. The batting team tries to score "runs," while the fielding team tries to dismiss the batters (get them "out") and restrict scoring. The team with the most runs wins.

 

The Setup: The game takes place on an oval field with a 22-yard rectangular pitch in the center. At each end of the pitch are "wickets" (three wooden or plastic stumps with two bails on top).

 

Scoring Runs:

• Running: The batter hits the ball and runs to the other end of the pitch. Each successful exchange is 1 run.

• Boundaries: If the ball hits the boundary rope after touching the ground, it is 4 runs. If it clears the rope on the full (in the air), it is 6 runs.

Ways to Get Out (Wickets):

1. Bowled: The ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails.

2. Caught: A fielder catches the ball after the bat hits it, before it touches the ground.

3. LBW (Leg Before Wicket): The ball strikes the batter's leg in line with the stumps, and the umpire judges it would have hit the wickets.

4. Run Out: A fielder hits the wickets with the ball while the batter is running and is not yet safe in their crease.

5. Stumped: The wicketkeeper puts down the wicket while the batter is out of their crease (usually missing a spin delivery).

6. Timed Out: If the batsman doesn't come to the crease in a designated amount of time. The limit is 90 seconds for T20s and 2-3 minutes for Tests and ODIs.

7. Hit Wicket: If the batsman tries to play a shot but the bat or anything else related to the batsman hits the wicket. This is mainly caused by the batsman standing too close to the stumps.

8. Interference/Obstruction of the Field/Ball Handling: The batsman touches the ball with the hand or interferes by not letting the fielders get the ball.

9. Double Hit: This is a very rare type of wicket in cricket. This happens when the batsman hits the ball 2 times or more.

10. Retired Out: This happens when the batsman walks out from the field without the umpire signaling out or without a fixed decision. The batsman cannot return to the field unless the opposing team's captain agrees