What is cricket?

Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport in which two teams of 11 players compete against one other.
The pitch is a rectangular section in the centre of the field that is 20.12m long and
3.04m wide. At each end of the pitch, two sets of three sticks, known as wickets, are placed
in the ground. Bails are horizontal pieces that go over the top of each wicket. The teams
alternate batting and bowling (pitching) turns; each turn is referred to as a "inning."
Depending on the predetermined duration of the competition, each team has one or two
innings to score the most runs. With a straight arm, the bowlers attempt to break (strike) the
wicket with the ball, causing the bails to fall. The batsman can be dismissed or put out in a
variety of ways. A bowler bowls six balls to one wicket (completing a "over"), and then a
different player from his team bowls six balls to the opposing wicket (completing another
"over"). The batting team guards their pitch.

Offensive (bowler) play:

 - Create confusion for the batsman and make them hesitate. (try and get the batsman
to play of the front foot and execute some vertical bat shots)- bowl a good length
delivery. (where the batter is int two minds or indecisive about coming forward or
stepping back). When bowl a good-length delivery which can be from 4-6m from the
batter it often makes the batters region to be not quite stable or not quite efficient
to be on the back or front foot making the batter have a choice on whether to go
forward or back often resulting in executional errors and dismissals.

- Have a game plan and adjust to the game. Batters can adapt quickly so you may
want to change the type of bowl you will pitch depending on the game stage and
batter. This can make a higher success rate.

- Spinning the ball: Spin bowling involves rapidly rotating the cricket ball so that it
deviates from its regular straight course when it bounces on the pitch, making it
harder for the batsman to hit the ball cleanly.

How to spin a ball: https://youtu.be/ziPMGzmToDA?t=40

Defensive (batter) play:

- Adapt and attune to the different types of conditions. Understanding your

conditions, the opposition bowler, and your role of the game. When the batter is
better attuned and can understand the pitch surfaces and layout of the game, they
start to play moor expansively, maybe even scoring at a faster run rate.

- Preparing the mindset of using particular shots for particular deliveries and wait
patiently for the write ball to score off. This helps the batter to expand their game to
play different shots for different deliveries.

- Know what type of shot to play for what delivery. For a closer delivery you but your
leg back to help stabilise yourself to get an easy shot or from a longer length you go
forward to help stabilise your body.
 References:

A friend who plays cricket

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021. cricket | Definition, Origin, History, Equipment, Rules, & Facts.
[online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/sports/cricket-sport> [Accessed 14 November
2021].

Youtu.be. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://youtu.be/ziPMGzmToDA?t=40> [Accessed 14

November 2021].

Youtube.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pz7dOn6CMU>

[Accessed 14 November 2021].

Youtube.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R4aN98Qrbo>

[Accessed 14 November 2021].