Cricket Study Guide

CRICKET is similar to baseball - there is a fielding team and a hitting team. There is Hitting, Fielding, Catching, and Throwing as in baseball/softball.  The major difference: 1.  There are only 2 bases (called “Safety Lines”), and 2. The Batter/Striker and Base Runner/Non-Striker.  The Striker and Non-Striker must both carry their bats with them at all times.

There are SIX different ways to be put out:
1.    Bowled out - Bowler hits the wicket after on bounce (strike out).
2.    Fly out - ball is caught when hit in the air.
3.    Ground out - ball is fielded by a defensive player who either throws the ball at a wicket        
       hitting the wicket before the runner gets to the wicket, or throws the ball to the wicket        
       keeper who tags the wicket before the runner get to the wicket.
4.    Hit Wicket - the striker/batter or non-striker/base runner hit the wicket with the bat            or any part of their body.
5.    Dropped bat - if the Striker or non-striker drop their bat at any time they are out.
6.    Stumped out - when the Striker hits the ball and it goes backward hitting the wicket            they are out.

Play goes as follows:

The “Bowler/Pitcher” will pitch the ball underhand as in softball.  They try to get the ball to BOUNCE one time before the ball hits the “Wicket”.  If they do, they strike out the “Striker/Batter” (note: 2 bounces or a direct hit without a bounce is NOT a strikeout.   If they miss the wicket, and the Striker doesn’t hit the ball they try again.  The Bowler will continue to try and hit the wicket or the Striker attempt to hit the ball until one or the other is successful.

If the Striker hits the ball, they have 2 options:  1. Run and try to get to the Safety Line, 2. Don’t Run and stay safe.  

When the ball is hit - the fielders will try to gain possession of the ball and either:
1) Tag the wicket before the Striker/Non-Striker (other base runner) cross a safety line, or 2) Throw the ball at the wicket and try to hit the wicket before the runner gets to the safety line.

If the fielding team tags the wicket before the Striker/Non-Striker reach the safety line, they are out.  If the runners get to the Safety Line before the tag is made, they are safe and they score 1 run for their team. 

Once everyone on the team has batted half of the inning is over and the teams switch positions, i.e., the fielding team bats and the batting team fields.

TERMINOLOGY:

*    Wicket                  -    Base
*    Bowler                  -    Pitcher
*    Wicket Keeper     -    Baseman
*    Striker                  -    Batter
*    Non-Striker          -    Base Runner
*    Fielders                 -    Fielders

Catching Cues:
1.    Catch with two hand to increase your chances of catching the ball.
2.    Catch with two hand so you are ready to throw the ball sooner.

Throwing Cues:
1.    Make sure you step in opposition i.e., throw with the right hand step with the left foot          or throw with the left hand and step with the right foot.
2.    Throw to the chest of the person who you are trying to throw to.

Fielding a Ground Ball:
1.    Be in a "Ready Position" at the time of the pitch.
2.    Move to the ball.
3.    Get low use to hands whenever possible to field the ball
4.    Come up ready to throw the ball to a strategic position (i.e., in cricket it would be a
​       wicket keeper).

Fielding a Fly Ball:
1.    Be in a "Ready Position" at the time of the pitch.
2.    Move to the ball - if the ball is hit over your head use a drop step followed by a cross-
       over step first to move in the direction of the ball.  Then run to the ball.  NEVER BACK            PEDDLE: 1) it may result in tripping and falling backwards and 2) it slows you down. 3.    Use two hands whenever possible to catch the ball.
4.    Be ready to throw the ball to a strategic position.

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