Physical education

Cricket

INTRODUCTION
Cricket
is abat-and-ballgame played between
two teams of 11 players
on anoval-shaped field, at the centre of which is arectangular  22-yard longpitch. O n e
t e a m bats, trying to scoreas manyrunsas possible while the other teambowlsandfields,trying
todismissthe batsmen and thus limit the runs scored
byt h e   b a tti n g   t e a m .   A   r u n   i s   s c o r e d   b y   t h e   s t r i k i n g   b a t s m a n hitti n
g the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the p i t c h a n d t o u c h i n g
t h e creasethere without being dismissed.   T h e t e a m s s w i t c h b e t w e e n b a tti n g a n d
fi e l d i n g a t t h e e n d o f   aninnings.I n p r o f e s s i o n a l c r i c k e t t h e l e n g t h o f a g a m e
r a n g e s f r o m 20 overso f s i x b o w l i n g d e l i v e r i e s p e r s i d e t o  Test
cricketplayedo v e r   fi v e   d a y s .   T h e L a w s   o f   C r i c k e t a r e   m a i
n t a i n e d   b y the
I n t e r n a ti o n a l   C r i c k e t   C o u n c i l ( I C C )  
a n d theM a r y l e b o n e   C r i c k e t   C l u b (MCC)
w i t h   a d d i ti o n a l S t a n d a r d   P l a y i n g   C o n d i ti o n s   f o r   T e s t   m a t c h e s   a n d   O
n e   D a y Internationals.
[1]
C r i c k e t   i s   t h e   s e c o n d   m o s t   p o p u l a r   s p o r t   i n   t h e  
w o r l d behindsoccer. The ICC, the game's governing body, has ten full members.
[3]
T h e   g a m e   i s   p l a y e d   p a r ti c u l a r l y   i n Australasia,theIndian subconti nent,
t h e W e s t I n d i e s , S o u t h e r n A f r i c a a n d England.
 
HISTORY 
  T h e   g a m e of 
cricket
hasa
known
history   s p a n n i n g f r o m   t h e   1 6 t h c e n t u r y   t o   t h e p r e s e
n t   d a y , withinternationalmatchesp l a y e d   s i n c e   1 8 4 4 ,   a l t h o
u g h   t h e   o ffi c i a l   h i s t o r y   o f  
internationalTest cricketbegan in 1877
. During this ti me,t h e g a m e d e v e l o p e d f r o m i t s o r i g i n s i n E n g l a n d i n t o a
gamew h i c h   i s   n o w   p l a y e d   p r o f e s s i o
n a l l y   i n   m o s t   o f   the
Commonwealth of Nations.
 The fi rst evidence of cricket being played was recorded in the year
1550
,   b y   t h e   p u p i l s   o f  
R o y a l   G r a m m a r   S c h o o l , Guildford
. In the year 1611 it is reported that two young menfrom Sussex were punished
for playing cricket instead of goingto the church. The fi rst match is recorded to have been
playedat Coxheath in Kent in the year 1646.Cricket was in fact a major gambling sport towards
the end of the 17th century. It is recorded that in the year 1679, a 11-a- s i d e m a t c h w a s
p l a y e d w i t h s t a k e s a s h i g h a s 5 0 g u i n e a s p e r side.During the 18th century cricket survived
and thrived due to thehuge amounts of money via monetary backing and gambling.
 
 The fi rst instance of a match to be played between counti es in E n g l a n d i s r e c o r d e d t o
b e o n 2 9 t h J u n e i n t h e y e a r 1 7 0 9 . T h i s match was played between Surrey and Kent at
Dartford
Brent.  T h e   fi r s t   E n g l i s h   t o u r i n g   t e a m   o n   b o a r d   s h i p   a t Liverpoolin1859 Th
e
18th century
also witnessed the emergence of 
twotypes of cricket players
. They were known as the
retainedp l a y e r   a n d   t h e   i n d i v i d u a l   p l a y e r
.   G e n e r a l l y   t h e   r e t a i n e d player was the servant of the lord and a cricketer
a s w e l l . O n the other hand the individual player was free to play anywherewith his skillsIn
the year
1787, the Marylebone Cricket Club also knownMCC
was created. The MCC has since then gone on to become o n e o f t h e m o s t
p r o m i n e n t b o d i e s i n w o r l d c r i c k e t . T h e l a t e 18th century was a very crucial
phase for the development
of t h e   g a m e ,   b o t h   w i t h i n   a n d   o u t s i d e   B r i t a i n .   T h e   g a m e   w a s sprea
d far and wide mainly due to England’s imperialism. The first official match was held between
Canada and United Stateswas held in the year 1844.
 
In the present times, cricket has its own following of loyal fans.
The Internati onal Cricket Council, bett er known as the ICC
i s   t h e   g o v e r n i n g   b o d y   i n   w o r l d   c r i c k e t .   T h e   I C C   w a s founded
on the 15th of June in the year 1909. All laws relati ng t o O D I s a n d T e s t C r i c k e t a r e
f r a m e d a n d i m p l e m e n t e d b y t h e ICC.
INDIAN CRICKET
Cricket was popularized by
English
s e tt l e r s a n d t h e B r i ti s h army.
The Oriental Club
was the fi rst all-Indian cricket
club,s p e c i fi c a l l y   f o r   a   I n d i a n   r e l i g i o u s   s e c t .   I n   1 9 0 6 ,   a   t r i a n g u l a r m a t c
h   w a s   p l a y e d   w i t h   t h e   H i n d u s ,   t h e   P a r s i s ,   a n d   t h
e E u r o p e a n s ;   h o w e v e r   i n   1 9 1 2 ,   i t   b e c a m e   a   q u a d r a n g u l a r to
u r n a m e n t   w i t h   a   M u s l i m   t e a m .   T h e   N a ti o n a l   c h a m p i o n s h i p h a s b e e n   p l a y e d
s i n c e 1 9 3 4 f o r   t h e R a n j i T r o p h y , n a m e d   f o r K.S. Ranjitsinhji, one of the most famous Indian
cricketers.
21ST-CENTURY CRICKET
C r i c k e t r e m a i n s a m a j o r w o r l d s p o r t i n t e r m s o f p a r ti c i p a n t s , spectators and media
interest.C r i c k e t ' s   n e w e s t   i n n o v a ti o n   i s
Twenty20
,   e s s e n ti a l l y   a n e v e n i n g   e n t e r t a i n m e n t .   I t   h a s   s o   f a r   e n j
o y e d   e n o r m o u s popularity and has att racted large att endances at matches aswell
as good TV audience rati ngs. The inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cuptournament was held in
2007 with a follow-up
eventi n   2 0 0 9 .   T h e   f o r m a ti o n   o f   T w e n t y 2 0   l e a g u e s   i n   I n d i a   –   t h e un
officialIndian Cricket League, which started in 2007, and the officialIndian Premier League,
s t a r ti n g i n 2 0 0 8 – r a i s e d m u c h s p e c u l a ti o n i n t h e c r i c k e ti n g p r e s s a b o u t
t h e i r e ff e c t o n t h e future of cricket.
 
HOW IS CRICKET PLAYED ?
In cricket, there are two teams, the batting and the nonbatting.N i n e   m e m b e r s   o f
t h e   n o n b a tti n g t e a m a r e   i n t h e   fi e l d ,
one ist h e   w i c k e t k e e p e r ,   a n d   o n e   i s   t h e   b o w l e r ,   f o r   a   t o t a l   o f   1 1
players. The batti ng team designates the order of the batt ers, w h e r e t h e fi r s t b a tt e r i s
c a l l e d t h e s t r i k e r . A b a t s m a n t r i e s t o guard his wicket, while the bowler tries to hit it.  T h e
b a t s m a n t r i e s t o k e e p t h e b o w l e r f r o m h i tti n g t h e w i c k e t with the ball, while also
att empti ng to hit the ball hard enough to give him time to run to the other end of the pitch, before
anyof the nonbatti ng team picks up the ball and hits the wicket. If  the wicket is broken, by a
thrown ball or by the wicketkeeper orbowler, the batsman is dismissed. The striker does not
have tor u n a ft e r h e h i t s t h e b a l l , a n d a m i s s d o e s n o t c o u n t a g a i n s t him. However,
if he gets a hit and thinks he can score a run, her u n s f o r t h e o p p o s i t e w i c k e t w h i l e t h e
s e c o n d b a t s m a n - t h e nonstriker - runs toward him. If they each reach the
oppositew i c k e t b e f o r e a w i c k e t i s b r o k e n , a r u n i s s c o r e d . A l s o , i f
t h e b a t s m e n   t h e i n g   t h e r e   i s   ti m e ,   t h e y   m a y   r u n   b a c k   f o r   t w o   o r more runs,
crossing each time. If they score an even number of runs, the striker is the next to hit the ball.
However, if an oddnumber is scored, the nonstriker will be facing the bowler andthus
getti ng his chance to hit the ball. Any runs scored in this manner go to his personal score for
the game.When a hit ball goes beyond the boundary, the game is pauseda n d f o u r r u n s a r e a d d e d
to the team's score. In order for the
 
team's score to go up, several other things may happen otherthan the batsman scoring
runs. A bye occurs when a ball fromt h e b o w l e r i s m i s s e d b y t h e b a t s m a n , b u t h e
c a n s ti l l m a k e
ar u n .   A   l e g   b y e   h a p p e n s   w h e n   t h e   b a l l   t o u c h e s   p a r t   o f   t h e b a t s
m a n ' s b o d y , b u t h e c a n s ti l l m a k e g o o d a r u n . A
w i d e occurs when the ball is out of
reach of the striker, and thiscounts for a run. No balls occur when the
b a l l i s i m p r o p e r l y bowled. Each of these extras add points to a side's score.If a bowler bowls
six balls, not counti ng wides and no balls, he completes what is termed an over. A new over is
then begun bya d i ff e r e n t b o w l e r a t t h e o p p o s i t e w i c k e t . T h e fi e l d m u s t a l s o adjust
accordingly. If a bowler bowls a complete over without abatsman personally scoring a run, it is called a
maiden over.A bowler may bowl either right or left armed, propelling the balloverhand without bending
his elbow. He is allowed any numbero f s t e p s t o g i v e a d e l i v e r y , b u t h e m a y n o t c r o s s
the
bowlingc r e a s e .   A   g o o d   b o w l e r   m u s t   b e   a b l e   t o   c o n t r o l   l e n g t h   a n d
directi on, which includes the spin placed on the ball to att emptto deceive the batsman into
being dismissed.A b a t s m a n m a y h i t e i t h e r r i g h t o r l e ft h a n d e d , b a s e d
o n a v e r ti c a l b a t w i t h i t s e n ti r e b l a d e f a c e d t o t h e b a l l . T h e r e a r e m a n y
d i ff e r e n t b a tti n g s t r o k e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e f o r w a r d s t r o k e , the back stroke, the leg glance,
and the
cut.F i e l d s m e n   m u s t   b e   q u i c k   r u n n e r s ,   w i t h   g o o d   h a n d -
e y e c o o r d i n a ti o n   a n d   t h e   a b i l i t y   t o   t h r o w   a   c r i c k e t   b a l l   f a r .   H e
s h o u l d   b e   a b l e   t o   g u e s s   t h e   b a t s m a n ' s   s t r o k e s ,   a n d   a c t acco
rdingly. The wicketkeeper should have exceptionally good reaction timeand sharp sight. He must
concentrate fully on every ball.
 
CRICKET EQUIPMENTS
WICKET AND CREASES
- A wicket is three stakes or
stumpsp l a c e d   i n t o   t h e   g r o u n d   s o   t h a t   a   c r i c k e t   b a l l   c a n n o t   p a s s
between them. There are two wickets, which the bowler
attacksa n d   w h i c h   t h e   b a t s m a n   d e f e n d s .   T h e   c r e a s e s   a r e   l i n e s   o f   w
h i t e w a s h t h a t m a r k t h e g r o u n d a t e a c h w i c k e t . T h e b o w l i n g and return creases
mark the area where the bowler's rear
footm u s t   b e   p l a c e d   w h e n   b o w l i n g   t h e   b a l l ;   t h e   p o p p i n g   c r e a s e
 
marks the area which is the batsman's ground.
BAT AND BALL
- The bat is paddle shaped made of willow
anda p p r o x i m a t e l y   1 1   c e n ti m e t e r s   w i d e .   I t ,   i n c l u d i n g   t h e   h a n d l e , may not under
regulation exceed 97 centimeters in length. Theb a l l i s m a d e o f a c o r e o f c o r k e n c a s e d i n
red leather. The
twol e a t h e r   h a l v e s   a r e   s e w n   t o g e t h e r   w i t h   a   r a i s e d   s e a m .   A
baseball is slightly heavier, soft her, and larger than a standardcricket ball.
DRESS
- The players usually wear white flannel pants and
shirt,w h i t e   c a n v a s   o r   b u c k   s h o e s ,   a   w h i t e   w o o l e n   s w e a t e r   ( o ft e n ti m e s   w i
t h   t h e i r   c l u b   c o l o u r s   t r i m m i n g   i t ) ,   a n d   m u l ti c o l o u r e d c l u b   c a p s .   A   b a t s m a n  
w e a r s   p r o t e c ti v e   w h i t e   p a d s ,   o r   l e g guards, rubber or leather batti ng
gloves, and a
body protector.  T h e   w i c k e t k e e p e r   a l s o   w e a r s   p a d s   a n d   r e i n f o r c e d   g l
o v e s . H o w e v e r ,   t h e   fi e l d e r s   i n   c r i c k e t   d o   n o t   w e a r   g l o v e s   w h e n fi
elding.
 
CRICKET LANGUAGE
CAPPED
-   A   c r i c k e t   p l a y e r   i s " c a p p e d " w h e n   h e   i s s e l e c t e d   t o play for a representati ve team.
This term comes from the useof club caps in the game.
REPRESENTATIVE TEAM
- A "representati ve team" is a
teamo f   c r i c k e t   p l a y e r s   s e l e c t e d   b y   t h e i r   a b i l i t y   t o   r e p r e s e n t   a c o
u n t y ,   a   c o u n t r y ,   e t c .   T h e s e   p l a y e r s   a r e   n o r m a l l y   s e l e c t e d from among club teams
or minor teams.)
INNINGS
-   A n   i n n i n g s   h a s   a c t u a l l y   s e v e r a l   t e r m   u s a g e s   i n cricket. (1) It is a turn
of a batsman to bat, (2) a turn of a  teamto bat, or (3) when results are being given, it is when one
teams ti l l   h a s   a   t u r n   t o   b a t   b u t   h a s   s c o r e d   m o r e   r u n s   t h a n   t
h e opposing team (which has completed its two innings.)
FOLLOW ON
- To "follow on" occurs when a team bats out
of t u r n   ( e . g .   s e c o n d   i n n i n g s   d i r e c t l y   a ft e r   fi r s t   i n n i n g s )   a ft e r scor
ing less than the opposing team in first innings by a certainnumber of runs.
HIT A SIX
- To "hit a six" means to hit the ball over a boundarywithout it touching the ground, thus scoring six
runs.
PITCH
- A "pitch" can be used in several ways. (1) It is the areagoing 1.5 meters on either side of the
center line between thew i c k e t s , ( 2 ) t h e i m p a c t o f a b o w l e d b a l l o n t h e g r o u n d , o r
( 3 ) the distance from one wicket to the other.
WICKET
- The word "wicket" has four meanings in cricket. First,it is the goal, consisting of three stakes, which
two sticks lay ontop of. The batsman defends them and the bowler att empts tohit. Secondly,
it is a turn to bat. Thirdly, a wicket is, in scoring, if a side is batting last, it is the number of
batsmen who have tob e p u t o u t ( d i s m i s s e d ) w h e n t h e o p p o n e n t ' s s c o r e i s p a s s e d .
 
A n d l a s t l y , i t i s t h e a r e a b e t w e e n t w o s e t s o f s t u m p s ( a l s o known
as pitch.)
STICKY WICKET
- A "sti cky wicket" is a wicket (pitch) that is d r y i n g a ft e r a r a i n . A n y s o ft s o i l - t u r f -
m a k e s p l a y i n g m o r e difficult for a batsman.
PRINCIPLES OF MATHEMATICS IN CRICK ET
I n a g a m e o f c r i c k e t , t h e r e a r e t w o m a i n p o i n t s o f i n t e r e s t where the
fl i g h t o f t h e b a l l i s c o n c e r n e d . T h e fi r s t i s t h e ti m e from when the bowler releases
the ball to when it is either hit o r m i s s e d b y t h e b a t s m a n . T h e s e c o n d i s t h e
ti m e a ft e r t h e c o l l i s i o n o f t h e b a l l w i t h t h e b a t . A s t h e b a t s m a n ' s g o a l i s
t o s c o r e a s m a n y r u n s a s p o s s i b l e , m o s t h i t s a r e p l a y e d s o t h a t the ball is close to
the ground, and is therefore harder to catch by a fieldsman. The bowler's main aim is to pitch the
ball so thebatsman does not hit the ball to his best ability. The flight pathof the ball is such that the
trajectory can be found with a
simplee q u a ti o n .   H o w e v e r ,   t h i s   d o e s   n o t   n e c e s s a r i l y   a p p l y   t o   s l o w pitches.
There is a small set of critical speeds in which pressureimbalances cause the ball to swing
(deviate) to one side or
theo t h e r   o f   a   b o w l .   T h e s e   s p e e d s   a r e   f u n c ti o n s   o f   s e v
e r a l variables, including the angle of the seam, surface texture of  t h e b a l l ,
the spin put on the ball by the bowler, and the air
 
currents. Forces up to 30% of the weight of the ball push on theball from the side. In a horizontal
direction of motion,
m(dv/dt)=-kv 
2
where
m
is the mass of the ball,
(dv/dt)
is the derivati ve basedo n   ti m e ,   r e p r e s e n ti n g   a c c e l e r a ti o n ,   a n d
k 
i s   t h e   s i d e   f o r c e constant. This equati on is only true if the verti cal moti ons
arec o m p l e t e l y   i g n o r e d .   I f   t h i s   e q u a ti o n   i s   c h a n g e d   t o  
b e   a derivati ve of velocity in respect to distance rather than ti me, itwill be:
v(dv/dx)=-(k/m)v 
2
where all variables remain the same, but
  x 
is the distance downthe bowl that the ball is when measured. This equati on can be solved to
give
  x=(m/k)
ln
(v 
0
  /v)
where
ln
is the natural logarithm, and
v 
0
is the initi al
velocity,a n d   a l l   o t h e r   v a r i a b l e s   r e m a i n   c o n s t a n t .   T h i s   s h o w s  
t h e relationship of distance and velocity after a hit by the bowler. Ino r d e r t o fi n d a n
e s ti m a t e o f t h e ti m e o f fl i g h t , s e p a r a ti o n o f   variables can be performed on the
last equation to give
t=(m/k){(1/v)-(1/v 
0
  )}
  T h i s   s h o w s   h o w   l o n g   t h e   b a l l   i s   i n   t h e   a i r   f o r   a   p a r ti c u l a
r v e l o c i t y .   O n c e   e a c h   o f   t h e s e   e q u a ti o n s   i s   s o l v e d   u s i n g   t h e k n o w n   v a r i a
b l e ( s ) ,   t h e   d e v i a ti o n   o f   t h e   b a l l   f r o m   t h e   v i s i b l e p a t h c a n b e t r a c e d . E v e n
t h e s l i g h t e s t v a r i a ti o n c a n t r i c k a batter's eye into missing the ball or mistiming a hit.
LAWS OF CRICKET
 
 The
l a w s   o f   c r i c k e t
a r e   a   s e t   o f   rulese s t a b l i s h e d   b y theM a r y l e b o n e   C r i c
k e t   C l u b ( M C C )   w h i c h   d e s c r i b e   t h e   l a w s of cricketw o r l d w i d e ,   t o   e n s u r e   u n i f o r m
i t y   a n d   f a i r n e s s .   T h e r e are currently
42 laws
, w h i c h o u t l i n e a l l a s p e c t s o f h o w t h e game is played .
PLAYERS AND OFFICIALST h e fi r s t f o u r l a w s c o v e r t h e p l a y e r s , t h e u m p i r e s a n d the
scorers.
Law 1:The players
.
A cricket team consists of eleven players,including a captain. Outside of official competitions, teams
cana g r e e t o p l a y m o r e t h a n e l e v e n - a - s i d e , t h o u g h n o m o r e t h a n eleven players may
field.
L a w 2 : Substitutes
.
I n c r i c k e t , a s u b s ti t u t e m a y b e b r o u g h t o n f o r a n i n j u r e d fi e l d e r . H o w e v e r , a
s u b s ti t u t e m a y n o t b a t , b o w l , k e e p w i c k e t o r a c t a s c a p t a i n . T h e o r i g i n a l p l a y e r
m a y return if he has recovered. A batsman who becomes unable to r u n m a y h a v e a
r u n n e r , w h o c o m p l e t e s t h e r u n s w h i l e t h e batsman continues batting.
Alternatively, a batsman may retireh u r t o r i l l , a n d m a y r e t u r n l a t e r t o r e s u m e h i s
i n n i n g s i f h e recovers.
L a w 3 : The umpires
.
T h e r e a r e t w o u m p i r e s , w h o a p p l y t h e Laws, make all necessary decisions, and relay
the decisions tot h e s c o r e r s . W h i l e n o t r e q u i r e d u n d e r t h e l a w s o f c r i c k e t ,
i n higher level cricket a third umpire (located off the ground and available to assist the on-field
umpires) may be used under thespecific playing conditions of a particular match or tournament.
L a w 4 : The scorers
.
T h e r e a r e t w o s c o r e r s w h o r e s p o n d t o the umpires' signals and keep the score.
 
AN UMPIRE
EQUIPMENT AND LAYING OUT THE PITCH
L a w   5 : The ball .
A   c r i c k e t   b a l l   i s   b e t w e e n   8   1 3 / 1 6   a n d   9 inches (22.4 cm and 22.9 
c m )   i n   c i r c u m f e r e n c e ,   a n d   w e i g h s between 5.5 and 5.75ounces(155.9g and 163g). Only
one ballis used at a time, unless it is lost, when it is replaced with a ballof similar wear. It is also
replaced at the start of each innings, and may, at the request of the fielding side, be replaced with
anew ball, after a certain number of overs have been bowled
(80i n   T e s t   m a t c h e s ,   3 4   i n ODIs) . T h e g r a d u a l d e g r a d a ti o n o f t h e ball through the
innings is an important aspect of the game.
Law 6:The bat 
.
The bat is no more than 38 inches (97 cm) in length, and no more than 4.25 inches (10.8 cm)
wide. The hando r g l o v e h o l d i n g t h e b a t i s c o n s i d e r e d p a r t o f t h e b a t .
E v e r s i n c e t h e Heavy Metalincident, a highly publicized
marketi nga tt e m p t   b y D e n n i s   L i l l e e , w h o b r o u g h t o u t a n aluminiumbat
 
during an internati onal game, the laws have provided that theblade of the bat must be
made of wood (and in practi ce, theyare made fromWhite Willowwood).
L a w   7 : The pitch.
The  p itc h  is   a recta ngu la r  a rea  of  th eground 22 yards (20 m
)   l o n g   a n d   1 0   ft   ( 3 . 0   m )   w i d e .   T h e Ground Authority selects and prepares
the pitch, but once
theg a m e   h a s   s t a r t e d ,   t h e   u m p i r e s   c o n t r o l   w h a t   h a p p e n s   t o   t h e pitch. The
umpires are also the arbiters of whether the pitch isfi t for play, and if they deem it unfi t,
with the consent of bothc a p t a i n s c a n c h a n g e t h e p i t c h . P r o f e s s i o n a l c r i c k e t i s
a l m o s t always played on a grass surface. However, in the event a non-turf pitch is used, the
arti fi cial surface must have a minimumlength of 58 ft (18 m) and a minimum width of 6 ft (1.8 m).
L a w   8 : The wickets
.
T h e   w i c k e t   c o n s i s t s   o f   t h r e e   w o o d e n stumps that are 28 inches (71 cm) tall. The
stumps are placeda l o n g t h e b a tti n g c r e a s e w i t h e q u a l d i s t a n c e s b e t w e e n
e a c h stump. They are positi oned so they are 9 inches (23 cm) wide.   T w o w o o d e n b a i l s
are placed on top of the stumps. The
b a i l s m u s t   n o t   p r o j e c t   m o r e   t h a n   0 . 5   i n c h e s   ( 1 . 3   c m )   a b o v e   t h e stumps,
and must, for men's cricket, be 4
5
 ⁄ 
16
inches (10.95 cm)long. There are also specified lengths for the barrel and spigotsof the bail. There are
different specifications for the wickets andbails for junior cricket. The umpires may dispense with the
bails
 
if conditi ons are unfi t (i.e. it is windy so they might fall off by themselves).
L a w   9 : Bowling, popping, and return creases
.
T h i s   l a w s e t s   o u t   t h e   d i m e n s i o n s   a n d   l o c a ti o n s   o f   t h e   c r e a s e s .   T
h e bowling crease, which is the line the stumps are in the middle of, is drawn at each end of
the pitch so that the three stumps
int h e   s e t   o f   s t u m p s   a t   t h a t   e n d   o f   t h e   p i t c h   f a l l   o n   i t   ( a n d
consequently it is perpendicular to the imaginary line
joiningt h e   c e n t r e s   o f   b o t h   m i d d l e   s t u m p s ) .   E a c h   b o w l i n g   c r e a s e s
h o u l d b e 8 f e e t 8 i n c h e s ( 2 . 6 4 m ) i n l e n g t h , c e n t r e d o n t h e middle stump at each end,
and each bowling crease
terminatesa t   o n e   o f   t h e   r e t u r n   c r e a s e s .   T h e   p o p p i n g   c r e a s e ,   w
h i c h d e t e r m i n e s w h e t h e r a b a t s m a n i s i n h i s g r o u n d o r n o t , a n d which is
used in determining front-foot no balls (see law 24), isdrawn at each end of the pitch in
front of each of the two setsof stumps. The popping crease must be 4 feet (1.2 m) in front
 
of and parallel to the bowling crease. Although it is consideredto have unlimited length,
the popping crease must be markedt o a t l e a s t 6 f e e t ( 1 . 8 m ) o n e i t h e r s i d e o f t h e
i m a g i n a r y l i n e  joining the centres of the middle stumps. The return creases, w h i c h a r e
the lines a bowler must be within when making adelivery, are drawn
o n e a c h s i d e o f e a c h s e t o f t h e s t u m p s , along each sides of the pitch (so there
are four return creasesi n a l l , o n e o n e i t h e r s i d e o f b o t h s e t s o f s t u m p s ) . T h e
returnc r e a s e s   l i e   p e r p e n d i c u l a r   t o   t h e   p o p p i n g   c r e a s e   a n d  
t h e bowling crease, 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m) either side of andparallel
t o t h e i m a g i n a r y l i n e j o i n i n g t h e c e n t r e s o f t h e t w o middle stumps. Each
return crease terminates at one end
a t t h e   p o p p i n g   c r e a s e   b u t   t h e   o t h e r   e n d   i s   c o n s i d e r e d   t o   b e unlimit
ed in length and must be marked to a minimum of 8 feet(2.4 m) from the popping crease.
L a w   1 0 : P r e p a r a ti o n   a n d   m a i n t e n a n c e   o f   t h e   p l a y i n g  area
.
W h e n a c r i c k e t b a l l i s b o w l e d i t a l m o s t a l w a y s b o u n c e s on the pitch, and the behaviour
of the ball is greatly influencedby the conditi on of the pitch. As a consequence, detailed
ruleso n   t h e   m a n a g e m e n t   o f   t h e   p i t c h   a r e   n e c e s s a r y .   T h i s   l a
w contains the rules governing how pitches should be prepared, mown, rolled, and
maintained.
Law 11:Covering the pitch
.
The pitch is said to be 'covered'w h e n   t h e g r o u n d s m e n   h a v e   p l a c e d c o v e r s o n   i t
t o   p r o t e c t   i t against rain or dew. The laws sti pulate that the regulati ons on covering the
pitch shall be agreed by both captains in
advance.  T h e   d e c i s i o n   c o n c e r n i n g   w h e t h e r   t o   c o v e r   t h e   p i t c h   g r e a t l y a ff e
c t s h o w t h e b a l l w i l l r e a c t t o t h e p i t c h s u r f a c e , a s a b a l l bounces
diff erently on wet ground as compared to dry ground.  The area beyond the pitch where a
bowler runs so as to deliverthe ball (the 'run-up') should ideally be kept dry so as to
avoidi n j u r y t h r o u g h s l i p p i n g a n d f a l l i n g , a n d t h e L a w s a l s o r e q u i r e
 
t h e s e   t o   b e   c o v e r e d   w h e r e v e r   p o s s i b l e   w h e n   t h e r e   i s   w e t weather.
STRUCTURE OF THE GAME
Law 12:Innings
.
Before the game, the teams agree whetherit is to be over one or two innings, and
whether either or bothinnings are to be limited by time or by overs. In practice, thesedecisions are
likely to be laid down by Competition Regulations,r a t h e r   t h a n   p r e - g a m e   a g r e e m e n t .   I n   t w o -
i n n i n g s   g a m e s ,   t h e sides bat alternately unless the follow-on (law 13) is enforced. An
innings is closed once all batsmen are dismissed, no furtherbatsmen are fi t to play, the innings is
declared or forfeited bythe batting captain, or any agreed time or over limit is reached. The
captain winning the toss of a coin decides whether to bat or to bowl first.
L a w 1 3 : The follow-on
.
I n a t w o i n n i n g s m a t c h , i f t h e s i d e b a tti n g s e c o n d s c o r e s s u b s t a n ti a l l y
f e w e r r u n s t h a n t h e s i d e batting first, the side that batted first can force their opponentsto bat
again immediately. The side that enforced the follow-onrisks not getti ng to bat again and
thus the chance of winning.
 
For a game of fi ve or more days, the side batti ng fi rst must be at least 200 runs ahead to
enforce the follow-on; for a three- orfour-day game, 150 runs; for a two-day game, 100 runs;
for aone-day game, 75 runs. The length of the game is determined b y t h e n u m b e r o f
s c h e d u l e d d a y s p l a y l e ft w h e n t h e g a m e actually begins.
Law 14:Declaration and forfeiture.
The batting captain candeclare an innings closed at any time when the ball is dead. Hemay also forfeit
his innings before it has started.
L a w   1 5 : Intervals
.
T h e r e   a r e   i n t e r v a l s   b e t w e e n   e a c h   d a y ' s play, a ten-minute interval between innings,
and lunch, tea anddrinks intervals. The timing and length of the intervals must beagreed before the
match begins. There are also provisions formoving the intervals and interval lengths in
certain situati ons,m o s t n o t a b l y t h e p r o v i s i o n t h a t i f n i n e w i c k e t s a r e d o w n ,
thet e a i n t e r v a l i s d e l a y e d t o t h e e a r l i e r o f t h e f a l l o f t h e
n e x t wicket and 30 minutes elapsing.
L a w   1 6 : S t a r t   o f   p l a y ;   c e s s a ti o n   o f   p l a y   .
P l a y   a ft e r   a n interval commences with the umpire's call of "Play", and at thee n d o f a
session by "Time". The last hour of a match mustcontain at
l e a s t 2 0 o v e r s , b e i n g e x t e n d e d i n ti m e s o a s t o include 20 overs if
necessary.
L a w 1 7 : P r a c ti c e o n t h e fi e l d  
.
T h e r e m a y b e n o b a tti n g
o r b o w l i n g   p r a c ti c e   o n   t h e   p i t c h   e x c e p t   b e f o r e   t h e   d a y ' s   p l a y s t a r t s a n d
a ft e r t h e d a y ' s p l a y h a s e n d e d . B o w l e r s m a y o n l y h a v e t r i a l r u n - u p s i f t h e
u m p i r e s a r e o f t h e v i e w t h a t i t w o u l d waste no time.
SCORING AND WINNING
 The laws then move on to discuss how runs can be scored and how one team can beat the
other.
 
L a w   1 8 : Scoring runs
.
R u n s   a r e   s c o r e d   w h e n   t h e   t w o batsmen run to each other's
end of the pitch. Several runs can be scored from one ball.
Law 19:Boundaries
.
A boundary is marked round the edge of the field of play. If the ball is hit into or past this boundary,
fourr u n s a r e s c o r e d , o r s i x r u n s i f t h e b a l l d i d n ' t h i t t h e g r o u n d before
crossing the boundary.
L a w   2 0 : Lost ball 
.
I f   a   b a l l   i n   p l a y   i s   l o s t   o r   c a n n o t   b e recovered, the fielding
side can call "lost ball". The batting sidekeeps any penalty runs (such as no-balls and wides) and
scoresthe higher of six runs and the number of runs actually run.
Law 21:The result .
 
 The side which scores the most runs winst h e m a t c h . I f b o t h s i d e s s c o r e t h e s a m e
n u m b e r o f r u n s , t h e match is ti ed. However, the match may run out of ti me beforethe
innings have all been completed. In this case, the match is drawn.
Law  22: The over 
.
A n   o v e r   c o n s i s t s   o f   s i x   b a l l s   b o w l e d , excluding wides and no balls.
Consecuti ve overs are deliveredf r o m o p p o s i t e e n d s o f t h e p i t c h . A b o w l e r m a y n o t
b o w l t w o consecutive overs.
Law 23:Dead ball 
.
The ball comes into play when the bowlerbegins his run up, and becomes dead when all
the acti on fromt h a t b a l l i s o v e r . O n c e t h e b a l l i s d e a d , n o r u n s c a n b e s c o r e d and
no batsmen can be dismissed. The ball becomes dead for
an u m b e r   o f   r e a s o n s ,   m o s t   c o m m o n l y   w h e n   a   b a t s m a n   i s dismi
ssed, when a boundary is hit, or when the ball has fi nally settled with the bowler or
wicketkeeper.
Law 24:No ball .
A ball can be a no ball for several reasons: if  the bowler bowls from the wrong place; or if
he straightens hiselbow during the delivery; or if the bowling is dangerous; or if  
 
t h e b a l l b o u n c e s m o r e t h a n t w i c e o r r o l l s a l o n g t h e g r o u n d before
reaching the batsman; or if the fi elders are standing in i l l e g a l p l a c e s . A n o b a l l
a d d s o n e r u n t o t h e b a tti n g t e a m ' s score, in additi on to any other runs which are
scored off it, andt h e b a t s m a n c a n ' t b e d i s m i s s e d o ff a n o b a l l e x c e p t b y
b e i n g r u n   o u t ,   o r   b y   h a n d l i n g   t h e   b a l l ,   h i tti n g   t h e   b a l l   t w i c e ,   o r
obstructing the field.
Law 25:Wide ball 
.
A n u m p i r e c a l l s a b a l l " w i d e " i f , i n h i s o r her opinion, the batsman did not have a
reasonable opportunityto score off the ball. A ball is called wide when the bowler bowlsa bouncer that
goes over the head of the batsman. A wide addso n e r u n t o t h e b a tti n g t e a m ' s s c o r e , i n
a d d i ti o n t o a n y
o t h e r r u n s   w h i c h   a r e   s c o r e d   o ff   i t ,   a n d   t h e   b a t s m a n   c a
n ' t   b e dismissed off a wide except by being run out or stumped, or byhandling the ball, hitting his
wicket, or obstructing the field.
L a w 2 6 : Byeand L e g b y e .
 
I f a b a l l t h a t i s n o t a n o b a l l o r wide passes the striker and runs are
scored, they are calledbyes. If a ball that is not a no ball hits the striker but
n o t t h e b a t a n d   r u n s a r e   s c o r e d ,   t h e y a r e   c a l l e d l e g - b y e s . H o w e v e r , leg-byes
cannot be scored if the striker is neither att empti ng
as t r o k e   n o r   t r y i n g   t o   a v o i d   b e i n g   h i t .   B y e s   a n d   l e g - b y e s   a r e credited to the
team's but not the batsman's total.
MECHANICS OF DISMISSAL
Law 27: Appeals
.
If the fielders believe a batsman is out,
theym a y   a s k   t h e   u m p i r e   " H o w ' s   T h a t ? " ,   c o m m o n l y   s h o u t e d e
mphati cally with arms raised, before the next ball is bowled.  The umpire then decides
whether the batsman is out.
Strictlys p e a k i n g ,   t h e   fi e l d i n g   s i d e   m u s t   a p p e a l   f o r   a l l   d i s m i s s a l s , i
n c l u d i n g o b v i o u s o n e s s u c h a s bowled. H o w e v e r , a
batsmanw h o   i s   o b v i o u s l y   o u t   w i l l   n o r m a l l y   l e a v e   t h e   p i t c h   w i t h o
u t waiting for an appeal or a decision from the umpire.
 
Law 28:T h e w i c k e t i s d o w n
.
Several methods of being outoccur when the wicket is  put down. This means that the
wicketi s hit by the ball, or the batsman, or the hand  in which a fi elderis holding the ball, and
at least one bail is removed.
Law 29:Batsman out of his ground  
.
T h e b a t s m e n c a n b e run out or stumped if they are out of their ground. A batsman isi n h i s
g r o u n d i f a n y p a r t o f h i m o r h i s b a t i s o n t h e g r o u n d behind the
popping crease. If both batsman are in the middle of the pitch when a wicket is put down, the batsman
closer to thatend is out.
WAYS TO GET OUT
Law 30:Bowled .
A batsman is out if his wicket is put down bya ball delivered by the bowler. It is irrelevant
whether the ballhas touched the bat, glove, or any part of the batsman before g o i n g o n
t o p u t d o w n t h e w i c k e t , t h o u g h i t m a y n o t t o u c h another player or an
umpire before doing so.
Law 31:Timed out 
.
A n i n c o m i n g b a t s m a n m u s t b e r e a d y t o face a ball (or be at the crease with his
partner ready to face
ab a l l )   w i t h i n   3   m i n u t e s   o f   t h e   o u t g o i n g   b a t s m a n  
b e i n g dismissed, otherwise the incoming batsman will be out.
Law 32:Caught 
.
If a ball hits the bat or the hand holding the bat and is then caught by the opposition within the
field of playbefore the ball bounces, then the batsman is out.
Law 33:Handled the ball 
.
If a batsman willfully handles
theb a l l   w i t h   a   h a n d   t h a t   i s   n o t   t o u c h i n g   t h e   b a t   w i t h o u t   t
h e consent of the opposition, he is out.
Law 34:H i t t h e b a l l t w i c e
.
I f a b a t s m a n h i t s t h e b a l l t w i c e , other than for the sole purpose of protecti ng his
wicket or withthe consent of the opposition, he is out.
 
L a w   3 5 : Hit wicket 
.
I f ,   a ft e r   t h e   b o w l e r   h a s   e n t e r e d   h i s delivery stride and while the ball
is in play, a batsman puts hiswicket down by his bat or his body he is out. The striker is
alsoout hit wicket if he puts his wicket down by his bat or his body i n s e tti n g o ff f o r a
fi r s t r u n . " B o d y " i n c l u d e s t h e c l o t h e s a n d equipment of the batsman.
L a w   3 6 : L e g   b e f o r e   w i c k e t   (LBW).
 
I f   t h e   b a l l   h i t s   t h e b a t s m a n w i t h o u t fi r s t h i tti n g t h e b a t , b u t
w o u l d h a v e h i t t h e wicket if the batsman was not there, and the ball does not pitchon the leg side
of the wicket, the batsman will be out. However,if the ball strikes the batsman outside the line of the
off-stump,and the batsman was attempting to play a stroke, he is not out.
L a w   3 7 : O b s t r u c ti n g   t h e   fi e l d  
.
I f   a   b a t s m a n   w i l l f u l l y obstructs the opposition by word or action, he is
out.
Law 38:Run out .
A b a t s m a n i s o u t i f a t a n y ti m e w h i l e t h e b a l l i s i n p l a y n o p a r t o f h i s b a t
or person is grounded behindt h e p o p p i n g c r e a s e a n d h i s w i c k e t i s f a i r l y
p u t d o w n b y t h e opposing side.
Law 39:Stumped 
.
A batsman is out when the wicket-keeper (see Law 40) puts down the wicket, while the batsman is
out of his crease and not attempting a run.
FIELDERS
Law 40:The wicket-keeper 
.
The keeper is a designated manf r o m t h e b o w l i n g s i d e a l l o w e d t o s t a n d b e h i n d t h e
stumps of t h e b a t s m a n . H e i s t h e o n l y p l a y e r f r o m h i s s i d e a l l o w e d
t o wear gloves and external leg guards.
Law 41:The fi elder 
.
A fi elder is any of the eleven cricketersfrom the bowling side. Fielders are positi oned to
fi eld the ball,
 
t o   s t o p   r u n s   a n d   b o u n d a r i e s ,   a n d   t o   g e t   b a t s m e n   o u t   b y cat
ching or running them out.
FIELDING POSITIONS :Fair and unfair play
Law 42:
  Fair and unfair play  .
OBJECTIVES OF CRICKET
 The objective of each team is to score morerunsthan the
othert e a m   a n d   t o   c o m p l e t e l y dismisst h e   o t h e r   t e a m .   I n   l i m i t e d o v e r s  
c r i c k e t ,   w i n n i n g   t h e   g a m e   i s   a c h i e v e d   b y   s c o r i n g   t h e most runs within the
overs allowed, even if the oppositi on has
 
not been completely dismissed. In  Test cricket, i t i s
n e c e s s a r y t o   s c o r e   t h e   m o s t   r u n s   a n d   d i s m i s s   t h e   o p p o s i ti o n   t w i c e   i n ord
er to win the match, which would otherwise be drawn.
DISTINCTIVE DECESSIVE ELEMENTS
1 . I n d i v i d u a l   f o c u s 2 . S p i r i t   o f t h e G a m e 3 . I n fl u e n c e o f   w e a t h e r 4 . U n i q u e n e s s o f
e a c h fi e l d
TYPES OF MATCHES
Cricket is a multi-faceted sport which, in very broad terms, canb e   d i v i d e d   i n t o
major cricket
and
minor cricket
b a s e d o n p l a y i n g   s t a n d a r d s .   A   m o r e   p e r ti n e n t   d i v i s i o n ,   p a r ti c u l a r l y   i n terms of
major cricket, is between matches in which the teamshave two innings apiece and those in which
they have a singleinnings each. The former, known as
first-class cricket
, h a s a d u r a ti o n o f t h r e e t o fi v e d a y s ( t h e r e h a v e b e e n e x a m p l e s o f  
"ti meless" matches
t o o ) ; t h e l a tt e r , k n o w n a s limited overs cricketb e c a u s e e a c h t e a m b o w l s a l i m i t o f
t y p i c a l l y 5 0 o r 2 0 overs, has a planned durati on of one day only (a match can
beextended if necessary due to bad weather, etc.). Typically,
two-innings matches
h a v e   a t   l e a s t   s i x   h o u r s of playing ti mee a c h d a y .
Limited overs matches
oft en lastsix hours or more. There are usually formal intervals on each d a y f o r l u n c h
a n d t e a w i t h b r i e f i n f o r m a l b r e a k s f o r d r i n k s .  There is also a short
interval between innings. Historically, aform of cricket known as
single wicket
had been extremelysuccessful. In this form, although each team may have
f r o m one to six players, there is only one batsman at a ti me and he must face every delivery
bowled while his innings lasts.
 
Test cricket
. Test cricketis the highest standard of fi rst-class cricket. A Testmatch is an internati onal
fi xture between teams representi ngthose countries that are Full Members of the
ICC.A l t h o u g h   t h e   t e r m   " T e s t   m a t c h "   w a s   n o t   c o i n e d   u n ti l   m u c h later, Test
cricket is deemed to have begun with two
matchesbetweenAustraliaandEnglandi n   t h e 1 8 7 6 – 7 7  
A u s t r a l i a n  season.   S u b s e q u e n t l y ,   e i g h t   o t h e r   n a ti o n a l   t e
a m s   h a v e a c h i e v e d   T e s t   s t a t u s : S o u
t h   A f r i c a (1889),West Indies(1928),NewZealand(1929),India(1932),Pakistan(1952),SriL
anka(1982),Zimbabwe( 1 9 9 2 )   a n
d Bangladesh(2000).Zimbabwe suspended its Test status in 2006 due to its inabilityto compete
against other Test teams,
[38]
and returned in 2011.
[39]
 Test matches between two teams are usually played in a groupof matches called a
"series".
Matches last up to fi ve days
anda   s e r i e s   n o r m a l l y   c o n s i s t s   o f   t h r e e   t o   fi v e   m a t c h e s .   T e
s t m a t c h e s   t h a t   a r e   n o t   fi n i s h e d   w i t h i n   t h e   a l l o tt e d   ti m e   a r e dra
wn. In the case of  Testandfirst-class cricket: the possibilityof a draw oft en encourages a team
that is batti ng last and wellbehind to bat defensively, giving up any faint chance at a
winto avoid a loss.
[40]
 
Since 1882, most Test series between England and Australia h a v e b e e n p l a y e d
for a trophy known as
The Ashes
. S o m e other bilateral series have individual trophies too: for example,the
Wisden Trophy
is contested by England and West Indies;
theFrank Worrell Trophy
b y A u s t r a l i a a n d W e s t I n d i e s a n d the
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 
between India and Australia.
Limited overs
Standardlimited overs cricketwas introduced in England in the1 9 6 3 s e a s o n i n t h e f o r m o f
a k n o c k o u t c u p c o n t e s t e d b y t h e fi rst-class county clubs. In 1969, a nati onal
league competi ti onwas established. The concept was gradually introduced to
theo t h e r   m a j o r   c r i c k e t   c o u n t r i e s   a n d   t h e   fi r s t   l i m i t e d   o v e r
s i n t e r n a ti o n a l   w a s   p l a y e d   i n   1 9 7 1 .   I n   1 9 7 5 ,   t h e   fi r s t Cricket W o r l d   C u p t o o
k   p l a c e   i n   E n g l a n d .   L i m i t e d   o v e r s   c r i c k e t   h a s seen various innovations including
the use of multi-coloured kitand floodlit matches using a white ball.A
"one day match",
n a m e d   s o   b e c a u s e   e a c h   m a t c h   i s scheduled for completi on in a single
day, is the common
formo f   l i m i t e d   o v e r s   c r i c k e t   p l a y e d   o n   a n   i n t e r n a ti o n a l   l e v e l .   I n practi ce,
matches someti mes conti nue on a second day if theyhave been  interrupted or postponed
by bad weather. The mainobjective of a limited overs match is to produce a definite resultand so a
conventional draw is not possible, but matches can be
 
u n d e c i d e d   i f t h e   s c o r e s a r e   ti e d   o r i f   b a d w e a t h e r   p r e v e n t s   a r e s u l t . E a c h t e a m
p l a y s o n e i n n i n g s o n l y a n d f a c e s a l i m i t e d number of overs, usually a maximum of
50. TheCricket World Cupi s h e l d i n o n e d a y f o r m a t a n d t h e last World Cupin 2011was
won by the co-hosts, India. The next World Cupwill hostedbyAustraliaandNew Zealandin 2015.
Twenty20 
i s   a   n e w   v a r i a n t   o f   l i m i t e d   o v e r s   i t s e l f   w i t h   t h e purpose being to
complete the match within about three
hours,u s u a l l y   i n   a n   e v e n i n g   s e s s i o n .   T h e   o r i g i n a l   i d e a ,   w h e n   t h e c
o n c e p t w a s i n t r o d u c e d i n E n g l a n d i n 2 0 0 3 , w a s t o p r o v i d e workers with
a n e v e n i n g e n t e r t a i n m e n t . I t w a s c o m m e r c i a l l y successful and has been adopted
internationally.
National championships
 Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1895. The team won the fi rst of its 30 County
Championship titles in 1893.First-class cricketincludes Test cricket but the term is generallyu s e d t o
r e f e r t o t h e h i g h e s t l e v e l o f d o m e s ti c c r i c k e t i n
thosec o u n t r i e s   w i t h   f u l l   I C C   m e m b e r s h i p ,   a l t h o u g h   t h e r e   a r
e e x c e p ti o n s t o t h i s . F i r s t - c l a s s c r i c k e t i n E n g l a n d i s p l a y e d f o r the most part
by the 18 county clubs which contest theCounty 
 
Championship. T h e c o n c e p t o f a champion countyhas
existeds i n c e   t h e   1 8 t h   c e n t u r y   b u t   t h e   o ffi c i a l   c o m p e ti ti o n   w a s   n o t e s t a
b l i s h e d   u n ti l   1 8 9 0 .   T h e   m o s t   s u c c e s s f u l   c l u b   h a s
been Yorkshire County Cricket Clubwith 30 official titles.
Australia
established its nati onal fi rst-class championship in1 8 9 2 – 9 3   w h e n   t h e
S h e ffi e l d   S h i e l d
w a s   i n t r o d u c e d .   I n A u s t r a l i a ,   t h e   fi r s t - c l a s s   t e a m s  
r e p r e s e n t   t h e   v a r i o u s states.N e w   S o u t h   W a l e s h a s   w o n   t h e   m a x i
m u m   n u m b e r   o f   titles with 45 to
2008.N a ti o n a l   c h a m p i o n s h i p   t r o p h i e s   t o   b e   e s t a b l i s h e d   e l s e w h e r e i n c l u d e d   t h
e
Ranji Trophy(India),Plunket
Shield(NewZealand),C u r r i e   C u p ( S o u t h   A f r i c a
)   a n d Shell Shield(West Indies).
Some of these competi ti ons have been updated and renamed in recent
years.D o m e s ti c   l i m i t e d   o v e r s   c o m p e ti ti o n s  
b e g a n   w i t h
England'sGillett e Cup
knockout in 1963. Countries usually stage seasonal limited overs competitions in both knockout
andleague format. In recent years, national Twenty20 competitionshave been introduced, usually
in knockout form though someincorporate mini-leagues.
Other types of matches
 
Indian boys playing
cricket on the street with a tennis ball
inUttar Pradesh,India. There are numerous variati ons of the sport played throughout the world
that include
indoor cricket,French cricket,beach cricket,Kwik cricket
a n d a l l s o r t s o f c a r d g a m e s a n d b o a r d games that have been inspired by cricket. In these
variants,
ther u l e s   a r e   o ft e n   c h a n g e d   t o   m a k e   t h e   g a m e   p l a y a b l e   w i t h limited
resources or to render it more convenient and enjoyablefor the participants.Indoor cricketis played
in a nett ed, indoor arena, and is quite formal but many of the outdoor variants are very
informal.Families and teenagers playbackyard cricketin suburban yardsor driveways, and the citi es
of India and Pakistan play host to countless games of 
"Gully Cricket" or "tapeball"
in their longnarrow streets.I n   S a m o a   a   f o r m   o f   c r i c k e t   c a l l e d
Kilikiti 
i s   p l a y e d   i n whichh o c k e y   s ti c k - s h a p e d   b a t s   a r e   u s e d .   I n Estonia,  
t e a m s gather over the winter for the annual
Ice Cricket
tournament.
INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURE -ICC
ICCmember nati ons. The (highest level) Test playing nati onsare shown in orange; the
associate member nati ons are shownin yellow; the affiliate member nations are shown in purple.
 
 The
I n t e r n a ti o n a l   C r i c k e t   C o u n c i l   ( I C C ) ,
w h i c h   h a s   i t s headquarters in Dubai, is the internati onal governing body
of c r i c k e t . I t w a s f o u n d e d a s t h e I m p e r i a l C r i c k e t C o n f e r e n c e
i n 1 9 0 9   b y   r e p r e s e n t a ti v e s   f r o m   E n g l a n d ,   A u s t r a l i a   a n d   S o u t h Africa,
renamed the Internati onal Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in
1989.  T h e I C C h a s 104 members: 1 0 F u l l M e m b e r s t h a t p l a y
o ffi c i a l   T e s t   m a t c h e s ,   3 4   A s s o c i a t e   M e m b e r s ,   a n d   6 0   A f
fi l i a t e Members.
[41]
T h e   I C C   i s   r e s p o n s i b l e   f o r   t h e   o r g a n i s a ti o n   a n d g o v e r n a n c e   o f   c r i c k e
t ' s   m a j o r   i n t e r n a ti o n a l   t o u r n a m e n t s , notably the Cricket World Cup. It also
appoints the umpires andreferees that offi ciate at all sancti oned Test matches, One
DayI n t e r n a ti o n a l a n d T w e n t y 2 0 I n t e r n a ti o n a l s . E a c h n a ti o n h a s a nati onal cricket
board which regulates cricket matches played in its country. The cricket board also selects the
national squada n d o r g a n i s e s h o m e a n d a w a y t o u r s f o r t h e n a ti o n a l t e a m .
I n t h e   W e s t   I n d i e s   t h e s e   m a tt e r s   a r e   a d d r e s s e d   b y   t h e West 
 
Indies Cricket Boardw h i c h c o n s i s t s o f m e m b e r s a p p o i n t e d b y four national boards and
two multi-national boards.
Vision of Success
As a leading global sport , cricket will captivate and inspirepeople of every age, gender, background and
ability, whilebuilding bridges between continents, countries andcommunities.
Strategic Direction
A Bigger Better Global Game Targeting more players, more fans, more competitive teams.Our long-term
success will be judged on growth in participationand public interest and the competitiveness of
teamsparticipating in men's and women's international cricket.
Mission Statement - Leading World Cricket by:
* Providing a world class environment for international cricket* Delivering "major' events across three
formats* Providing targeted support to Members* Promoting the global game.
STRATEGIC PLAN
 
The Way Forward for International Cricket
  T h e   I C C   S t r a t e g i c   P l a n   2 0 1 1 - 1 5   w a s   l a u n c h e d   a t   t h e   I C C ' s Annual
Conference in Hong Kong in June 2011.A ft e r   a   t w o -
y e a r   c o n s u l t a ti o n   p e r i o d   w i t h   t h e   g a m e ' s s t a k e h o l
d e r s ,   i n c l u d i n g   M e m b e r s ,   p l a y e r s ,   m e d i a   a n d supporters, the
plan sets out a vision for international
cricket.B y   f o l l o w i n g   t h r o u g h   o n   o u r   c o m m i t m e n t   t o   d e v e l o p   n e w c o
m p e ti ti o n   s t r u c t u r e s   a n d   m e r i t o c r a ti c   p a t h w a y s   f o r   m e n ' s a n d   w o m e n ' s   t
e a m s   a c r o s s   T e s t ,   O D I   a n d   T 2 0 I   c r i c k e t , supported by eff ecti ve
targeti ng, the ICC will be well-placed toachieve a truly global game with more players,
more fans andmore competitive teams. The ICC vision for 2011-15 is to create ‘A bigger,
bett er,
globalg a m e '   a i m e d   a t   ‘ T a r g e ti n g   m o r e   p l a y e r s ,   m o r e   f a n s ,   m o r e competitive
teams.'Our success between 2011 and 2015 will be judged on growthin parti cipati on and
public interest and the competi ti veness of  teams participating in men's and women's
international cricket.
 
ICC WORLD CUP
 The ICC Cricket World Cup is the showpiece event of the
cricketc a l e n d a r   a n d   t a k e s   p l a c e   e v e r y   f o u r   y e a r s ,   w i t h   m a t c h e s cont
ested in a 50 overs per side format.  T h e r e h a v e b e e n t e n e v e n t s s o f a r , w i t h t h e fi r s t
t o u r n a m e n t taking place in England in 1975. The last ICC Cricket World Cup took place in 2011 in
which
wasw o n   b y   I n d i a ,   w h o   h o s t e d   t h e   t o u r n a m e n t   a l o n g  
w i t h Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Other winners of the event include Australia (1987, 1999,
2003,2007), West Indies (1975, 1979), India (1983), Pakistan (1992)and Sri Lanka (1996). The
next ICC Cricket World Cup will be staged in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. 
ICC WORLD CUP 2001 WINNER - INDIA
 
INDIA NATIONAL CRICKET TEAM
INDIAN CRICKET CREST
 
 The
Indian cricket team
is the nati onalcricketteam of India.G o v e r n e d   b y   t h e
B o a r d   o f   C o n t r o l   f o r   C r i c k e t   i n  India(BCCI),
i t i s a full memberof the
International Cricket Council( I C C )   w i t h TestandO n e   D a y   I n t e r n a ti o n a l (ODI)status.
 The Indian cricket team is currently ranked third by the ICC in  Tests, second in ODIs and
seventh in T20s.
[1]
On 2 April
2011,t h e   t e a m   w o n   t h e 2 0 1 1   C r i c k e t   W o r l d   C u p ,   i t s  
s e c o n d after1983.   I t   t h u s   b e c a m e   o n l y   t h e   t h i r d   t e a m   a ft e r We
st IndiesandAustraliat o   h a v e   w o n   t h e W o r l d   C u p m o r e   t h a n once.
Currently
Mahendra Singh Dhoniis the captain
in allf o r m s o f   t h e g a m e   .   U n d e r   t h e l e a d e r s h i p   o f   D h o n i , t h e   I n d i a n team has set a
nati onal record for most back-to-back ODI wins ( 9   s t r a i g h t   w i n s )
[3]
and has emerged as
o n e   o f   t h e   m o s t formidable teams in international cricket.
[4]
Coaching staff :

Head coach:Duncan Fletcher

Mental conditioning coach:Vacant

Fitness trainer: Ramji Srinivasan

Physiotherapist: Nitin Patel

Masseur: Ramesh Mane

Performance analyst: C.K.M. Dhananjai

Bowling consultant:Eric Simons