Cricket: Rules & Regulations
Cricket, often hailed as the "Gentleman's Game", is an intricate sport with its own set of fascinating rules. To appreciate its nuances, one must delve deep into its regulations. Below are the primary rules that govern this revered sport.
1. Objective of the Game:
Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players each. The primary goal is for one team to score more runs than their opponents within a specified number of overs or time.
2. Playing Field:
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Pitch: A rectangular area in the center of the field, 22 yards (20.12m) long, where most of the game action occurs.
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Wickets: Positioned at both ends of the pitch. Each wicket consists of three vertical stumps with two bails on top.
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Boundary: The perimeter of the field.
3. Match Formats:
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Test Cricket: Played over five days with each team having two innings. There are no limits to the number of overs in an innings.
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One Day Internationals (ODIs): Each team bowls and bats for a maximum of 50 overs.
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T20 Internationals: Each team gets 20 overs to bat and bowl.
4. Scoring Runs:
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Boundaries: If the ball reaches the boundary rope without bouncing, it's awarded as 6 runs. If it bounces or rolls to the boundary, it's 4 runs.
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Running: Batsmen can run between the wickets after the ball is played. Each completed run scores one point.
5. Dismissals:
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Bowled: Ball delivered by the bowler hits the stumps, dislodging the bails.
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Caught: Batsman's shot is caught by a fielder, wicketkeeper, or bowler before touching the ground.
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Leg Before Wicket (LBW): Batsman is out LBW if the ball would've hit the stumps but instead strikes any part of the player's body (excluding the hand).
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Run Out: Batsman is outside his crease while the ball is still in play, and a fielder breaks the stumps with the ball.
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Stumped: Wicketkeeper breaks the stumps with the ball while the batsman is outside his crease and not attempting a run.
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Handled the Ball: Batsman, while the ball is in play and, without the bowler's consent, uses his hand or hands to return the ball to any fielder.
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Obstructing the Field: A batsman obstructs the field by using the bat or any part of his person to return the ball to any fielder.
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Hit Wicket: After the bowler has entered his delivery stride and while the ball is in play, a batsman puts his wicket down either by the bat or his person.
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Timed Out: A batsman is timed out if he is not ready to face within three minutes of the previous batsman's dismissal.
6. No-Ball & Its Implications:
A 'no-ball' is an illegal delivery by the bowler. Reasons can include overstepping the crease or bowling full-tosses above waist height.
Implications:
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Batsman cannot be out bowled, caught, LBW, or stumped off a no-ball.
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They can, however, be run out (not stumped out), obstructing the field, or handling the ball.
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The batting side is awarded an extra run.
7. Wide Ball:
Any delivery so wide that the batsman cannot play a proper cricket shot, both in terms of where it pitches and its trajectory, is deemed a wide. One extra run is awarded to the batting team.
8. Over & Bowling:
An over comprises six legal balls. A single bowler cannot bowl two consecutive overs.
9. Player Conduct & Spirit of the Game:
Cricket upholds values of respect, integrity, and fair play. Unsportsmanlike behavior can result in penalties.
10. Equipment:
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Ball: Red (for Test matches) or white (for limited overs), made of cork and covered with leather.
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Bat: Made from willow wood, not exceeding 38 inches in length and 4.25 inches in width.
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Protective Gear: Helmets, pads, gloves, and guards.
11. Match Result:
A team can win by outscoring the opposition or by dismissing all the batsmen for a score less than their own total. In case both teams score the same, it's a tie.
