The aim of the game of cricket is to get more runs than the opposing team.
There is a rectangular pitch with a batsman at either end. Right behind them are a set of stumps with bales resting on the top of them. Behind the stumps is a fielder or the wicket keeper. There is a bowler (similar to a pitcher) on the other team whose job is to bowl a ball and to hit the stumps, knocking the bales off the stumps. If that happens, the batsman is out. Apart from trying to bowl the batsman out, the bowler aims to minimise the distance the batsman can hit a ball and in this way, limits the number of runs each batsman can make.
Around the larger field (the rectangle is within a much larger oval/circular space) are fielders whose job is to catch the ball after the batsman hits it and to return it so the batsman can be put out.
A bowler runs towards the pitch and bowls (throws) the ball at the batsman. You might think of it as pitching. The batsman hits the ball. If he hits it outside of the larger area, he scores 6 runs (bit like a home run). When the batsman hits the ball, he judges whether he has sufficient time to run to the other end of the pitch before it’s returned by a fielder, if not caught by a fielder (which means he’s out immediately). If there’s sufficient time, the two batsmen run towards each other’s end so they end up at the opposite end of the pitch from where they started OR they keep running by reaching the other batsman’s end and turning and running again until they’re back at their own ends. They’d only keep running if they think they can run back again before the ball is returned by a fielder. I think baseball works on a similar principle in that the hitter must reach a different base before being caught out or the fielder touches the base.
A century is when a batsman makes 100 runs.
A seamer is the way the ball is thrown. It basically means it’s bowled so it lands on its seam. There are different styles of bowling. Bouncer is another term for a different type of bowled ball.
An over has been completed when a bowler bowls six, successful and consecutive balls to one batsman.
In some formats they may be limited to 20 overs per side (20 20 cricket) or they may participate in 1 day cricket which is 50 overs per side. Or the number of overs might be limitless within a test match and the match goes for up to five days.
I actually can’t believe I know all this about cricket. It’s a very long game and people are PASSIONATE about it.
My husband thinks it’s hilarious that I’m trying to briefly explain the objective and rules of cricket.