Cricket Rules & Basics
New to cricket? This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the world's second most popular sport. From the basic objective to the finer details of LBW, fielding positions, and format differences, we make cricket easy to understand.
How Cricket Works
The fundamental objective and structure of a cricket match.
Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players each. The game revolves around two main actions: batting (scoring runs) and bowling/fielding (preventing runs and getting batters out). Each team takes turns batting and bowling/fielding. When a team bats, it attempts to score as many runs as possible. When a team bowls and fields, it tries to restrict the opposition's score and dismiss their batters.
The match takes place on an oval-shaped grass field with a rectangular 22-yard pitch at the centre. At each end of the pitch stands a set of three wooden stumps called the wicket, topped by two small wooden pieces called bails. A bowler delivers the ball from one end toward the batter at the other end.
The team that scores the most runs wins. If the bowling team dismisses all 10 batters (the 11th cannot bat alone), the innings ends regardless of remaining overs. In limited-overs formats (ODI and T20), the innings also ends when the allocated overs are completed.
Batting Rules
Scoring Runs
Batters score runs by striking the ball and running between the two sets of stumps. Each completed run counts as one. If the ball reaches the boundary along the ground, it scores 4 runs automatically. If it clears the boundary without bouncing, it scores 6 runs — the maximum from a single delivery.
Partnerships
Two batters are always at the crease simultaneously. They run together and alternate facing the bowler. A partnership refers to the runs scored between two batters while they are batting together. When one batter is dismissed, the next batter from the team comes in to replace them.
Centuries and Milestones
Scoring 50 runs in an innings is called a half-century. Scoring 100 runs is a century — considered a significant achievement. A double century (200 runs) or triple century (300 runs) in Test cricket is exceptionally rare and celebrated.
Bowling Rules
The Over
An over consists of 6 legal deliveries bowled by one bowler from one end. After each over, a different bowler bowls from the other end. A bowler cannot bowl two consecutive overs. In limited-overs cricket, each bowler has a maximum number of overs they can bowl (10 in ODIs, 4 in T20s).
Types of Bowling
Bowlers fall into two main categories: pace bowlers (fast bowlers) who use speed and movement through the air or off the pitch, and spin bowlers who use wrist or finger action to make the ball turn after pitching. Pace bowlers typically deliver at 130–150 km/h, while spin bowlers bowl at 70–100 km/h.
Illegal Deliveries
A no-ball is called when the bowler oversteps the crease, bowls dangerously, or breaches fielding restrictions. A wide is called when the ball is too far from the batter to hit. Both award one extra run to the batting team and must be re-bowled. No-balls also grant a free hit in limited-overs cricket.
Fielding Positions
Cricket has over 30 named fielding positions. Here are the key ones to know.
Wicketkeeper
Stands directly behind the stumps. The only fielder who wears gloves. Crucial for stumpings and catches.
Slip(s)
Positioned beside the wicketkeeper to catch edges. Up to 4 slips may be placed for pace bowling.
Mid-off / Mid-on
Positioned either side of the pitch, roughly 30 yards from the batter. Standard defensive positions.
Cover / Point
On the off side, covering drives and cuts. Some of cricket's most athletic fielding happens at cover.
Fine Leg / Third Man
Boundary positions behind the batter. Fine leg is on the leg side; third man is on the off side.
Long-on / Long-off
Deep boundary positions straight down the ground. Placed to prevent big hits over the bowler's head.
Dismissal Types
The 10 ways a batter can be given out in cricket.
Bowled
The ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails. The most clear-cut dismissal.
Caught
A fielder catches the ball after the batter hits it, before it bounces. The most common dismissal type.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
The ball would have hit the stumps but is blocked by the batter's body. Complex rules govern when LBW is given.
Run Out
A fielder breaks the stumps with the ball while the batter is short of the crease during a run attempt.
Stumped
The wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batter is out of the crease, typically after missing a spin delivery.
Hit Wicket
The batter accidentally dislodges the bails with their bat or body while playing a shot or setting off for a run.
Handled the Ball
The batter deliberately handles the ball with a hand not holding the bat without consent from the fielding side. Very rare.
Obstructing the Field
The batter deliberately obstructs a fielder from catching or throwing the ball. Extremely rare in professional cricket.
Timed Out
An incoming batter fails to be ready to face a ball within 3 minutes of the previous dismissal. Has occurred only once in international cricket.
Retired Out
A batter voluntarily leaves the field and is unable to return. Different from "retired hurt" (which is not a dismissal) as the batter chooses to leave without injury.
How Scoring Works
| Scoring Method | Runs | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Running between wickets | 1–3 | Batters physically run between the two ends of the pitch |
| Boundary (along ground) | 4 | Ball reaches or crosses the boundary rope after bouncing |
| Boundary (over rope) | 6 | Ball clears the boundary without bouncing — the maximum |
| Wide | 1+ | Ball bowled too far from batter; extra run plus any runs scored |
| No-ball | 1+ | Illegal delivery; extra run plus any runs scored, plus free hit in LOI |
| Bye | 1+ | Ball passes batter and keeper; batters run. Not credited to batter |
| Leg bye | 1+ | Ball deflects off batter's body; batters run. Not credited to batter |
| Penalty runs | 5 | Awarded for breaches of playing conditions (e.g. ball hitting helmet) |
Cricket Formats Explained
The three major international formats of cricket, each with its own character and strategy.
Test Cricket
The Ultimate Format
- • Up to 5 days of play
- • Unlimited overs per innings
- • Each team bats twice
- • Red ball, white clothing
- • Can end in a draw
- • First played in 1877
ODI Cricket
One Day International
- • Completed in 1 day (~8 hours)
- • 50 overs per team
- • Each team bats once
- • White ball, coloured clothing
- • Powerplay fielding restrictions
- • First played in 1971
T20 Cricket
Twenty20 International
- • Completed in ~3 hours
- • 20 overs per team
- • Each team bats once
- • White ball, coloured clothing
- • Aggressive, high-scoring format
- • First played in 2005
Frequently Asked Questions
LBW stands for Leg Before Wicket. A batter is given out LBW when the ball would have hit the stumps but is instead intercepted by any part of the batter's body (usually the pads). For LBW to be given, the ball must pitch in line with the stumps or on the off side, and the impact must be in line with the stumps (unless the batter is not offering a shot). The Decision Review System (DRS) uses ball-tracking technology to assist umpires with LBW decisions in international cricket.
A no-ball is an illegal delivery by the bowler, resulting in one extra run awarded to the batting team plus a free hit on the next delivery in limited-overs cricket (where the batter cannot be dismissed in most ways). Common reasons for a no-ball include the bowler overstepping the front crease, bowling a full toss above waist height, or having more than the permitted number of fielders behind square on the leg side.
Test cricket is the longest format, played over up to 5 days with unlimited overs per innings. Each team bats twice, and the match can end in a draw if time runs out. ODI (One Day International) cricket limits each team to 50 overs per innings and is completed in a single day. Test cricket uses a red ball and white clothing, while ODIs use a white ball and coloured clothing. T20 International is even shorter, with 20 overs per side, lasting about 3 hours.