Cricket Draft
A bat-and-ball sport with deep roots across Asia, Australia, Africa and the Caribbean. Short formats like T20 or backyard tape-ball games make it easy to start.
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How to start
What you need
- Bat
- Ball (a soft tape ball or a plastic ball for beginners; hard leather balls need protective gear)
- Stumps or a wall mark for wickets
- Helmet, pads, gloves and a box for hard-ball play
- Comfortable clothes and sunscreen
Typical cost
A beginner bat costs about $30 to $100; balls $5 to $20; full protective gear $100 to $300. Club memberships vary, and many community leagues charge $50 to $200 per season (approximate, varies by city).
Where to play
Community cricket clubs, high school and university grounds, public parks with nets or pitches, and backyard or tape-ball leagues. Many cities have weekend leagues for all levels.
Rules
- Two teams of 11 take turns batting and fielding. The batting team tries to score runs; the fielding team tries to take wickets (get batters out).
- A bowler delivers the ball overarm (without bending the elbow) toward the batter at the stumps, in sets of six balls called an over.
- The batter scores runs by hitting the ball and running between the two sets of stumps. Hitting the ball over the boundary on the bounce scores 4, and over the boundary without bouncing scores 6.
- A batter is out if they are bowled (the ball hits the stumps), caught (the fielder catches before the bounce), run out, stumped, or LBW (the ball would have hit the stumps but hits the leg).
- Each side bats until 10 wickets fall or the overs run out, depending on the format.
- Common formats are T20 (20 overs per side, about 3 hours), one-day (50 overs) and Test (up to 5 days). Backyard games often use 5 to 10 overs.
- Umpires make the calls; players are expected to accept decisions and play in the spirit of the game.
Drills
Catching practice 8 min
Stand 5 meters apart and toss a soft ball underhand. Catch with soft hands and fingers spread, then step back after each ten catches.
Bowling accuracy 10 min
Place a cone at a good-length spot. Bowl 18 balls to it (three overs). Count how many land within a bat width of the cone.
Front-foot defense 10 min
Face easy underarm feeds. Step to the pitch of the ball, bat close to the pad, and block it down. Do 30 balls.
Running between wickets 6 min
Place two cones 20 meters apart. Run back and forth carrying a bat, grounding it past the line. Practice calling 'yes', 'no', 'wait'.
Throw-in relay 8 min
Two fielders pick up a rolling ball and throw to a target (stumps) from 15 to 20 meters. Aim to hit it 5 out of 10.
Etiquette
- Shake hands after matches and applaud good play from either side.
- Accept the umpire's decisions without argument.
- Do not step onto the pitch strip, and walk when you know you are out.
Safety
- With a hard ball, always wear a helmet, box and pads when batting or keeping.
- Do not bowl too many overs when you are new; build up slowly to avoid shoulder and back injuries.
- Warm up arms and legs and keep hydrated in the sun.
Levels
- 1First games; learning the rules and basic grip; plays tape-ball or backyard cricket.
- 2Can bat, bowl and field a soft ball and understands how runs and wickets work.
- 3Plays regular social or league games; has a reliable defensive shot and decent bowling line.
- 4Strong in at least one skill (batting, bowling or fielding); plays league cricket with a hard ball.
- 5Consistent performer in club or district cricket; strong tactical understanding.
Questions
Do I need an entire team to play?
No. Backyard versions need as few as two or four players. Clubs can also match you with a team.
How long does a game last?
Backyard games take 30 to 60 minutes, T20 matches about 3 hours, and Test matches up to 5 days.
Is it dangerous?
Hard-ball cricket needs protective gear. With tape or soft balls it is a low-risk, social sport.
Draft guide: written from general knowledge and not yet checked by someone who plays cricket. Costs are approximate and vary by city. Check with a coach or doctor before starting anything new.