Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre. Of which is a 22-yard (20-metre) pitch with a wicket at each end. Each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The game proceeds when a player on the fielding team, called the bowler, “bowls” (propels). The ball from one end of the pitch towards the wicket at the other end.
The batting side’s players score runs by striking the bowled ball with a bat and running between the wickets. While the bowling side tries to prevent this by keeping the ball within the field and getting it to either wicket and dismiss each batter (so they are “out”).
Means of dismissal include being bowled when the ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails. And by the fielding side either catching a hit ball before it touches the ground or hitting a wicket with the ball. Before a batter can cross the crease line in front of the wicket to complete a run. When ten batters have been dismissed, the innings end, and the teams swap roles.
The game is adjudicated by two umpires, aided by a third umpire and match referee in international matches.
Forms of cricket range from Twenty20, with each team batting for a single innings of 20 overs and the game generally lasting three hours.
To Test matches played over five days. Traditionally cricketers play in an all-white kit. But in limited-overs cricket, they wear club or team colours. In addition to the basic kit, some players wear protective gear to prevent injury caused by the ball, which is a hard, solid spheroid made of compressed leather with a slightly raised sewn seam enclosing a cork core layered with tightly wound string.
