What is cricket?

For all the idiots who don't know what it is.

Rules

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the center of which is a 22-yard (20-meter) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at one of the wickets with the bat and then running between the wickets, while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this (by preventing the ball from leaving the field, and getting the ball to either wicket) and dismiss each batter (so they are "out"). Means of dismissal include being bowled when the ball hits the stumps and makes the bails fall down, and by the fielding side either catching the ball after it is hit by the bat, but before it hits the ground, or hitting a wicket with the ball before a batter can cross the line in front of the wicket. 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. They communicate with two off-field scorers who record the match's statistical information. So far, so good?

Forms of Cricket

Unlike baseball, cricket can be played in multiple different ways.

Remember: An over contains 6 balls.

Forms of cricket range from Twenty20 (also known as T20), with each team batting for a single innings of 20 overs. This kind of game generally lasts three to four hours. Another type of game is a test match, which is played over five days. The last type of game is called an ODI, which means One Day International Cricket. This game typically lasts for one day and is actually the form of cricket that is going on right now. The ODI Cricket World Cup.

A Little Bit of History

The earliest reference to cricket is in South East England in the mid-16th century. It spread globally with the expansion of the British Empire, with the first international matches in the second half of the 19th century. The game's governing body is the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has over 100 members, twelve of which are full members who play Test matches. The game's rules, the Laws of Cricket, are maintained by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London. The sport is followed primarily in South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Southern Africa, and the West Indies.

Women's cricket, which is organized and played separately, has also achieved international standards.

The most successful side playing international cricket is Australia, which has won seven One Day International trophies, including five World Cups, more than any other country and has been the top-rated Test side more than any other country.

Conclusion

Now you should know all about cricket. If you don’t well tough luck to you, because we’re going to be talking a lot about cricket in our newest newsletter. All Around Cricket. It’ll come every Wednesday as we transform Sports Square into an All-American Sports Newsletter. Don’t worry though, soccer fans, we’ll still talk international soccer on Tuesdays or Wednesdays! So, if you LOVE Cricket, make sure you immediately subscribe to that newsletter. We’ll go in-depth on… EVERYTHING! Alright, see you tomorrow. We’ll have a short segment on a Team-By-Team Review.

(P.S.: At the time of writing, here is the latest football news… MAC JONES BENCHED FOR BAILEY ZAPPE! PATS LOSE. BELICHICK FIRED?)