What you can't watch without
The rules you will see every few minutes, in the order you meet them. Each opens on its answer.
B · Beginner · 14 rules · Step 1 of 4How are runs scored?
- How is a run scored in cricket?A run is scored each time the two batters cross and both reach the other end safely, while the ball is in play.
- When is it a six, and when is it a four?It is a six when the batter hits the ball with the bat and it lands beyond the boundary without touching the ground inside first.
What is a fair ball, and what does a foul ball cost?
- How many balls are in an over, and who can bowl the next one?An over is six fair balls bowled from one end.
- When is a ball called wide?A ball is a wide when it passes too far from the batter for them to hit it with a normal shot.
- What is a no-ball, and what happens after one?A no-ball is an illegal delivery, most often because the bowler overstepped: no part of the front foot landed behind the crease line.
How does a batter get out?
- How many ways can a batter be out in cricket?There are ten ways a batter can be out: bowled, caught, leg before wicket (LBW), run out, stumped, hit wicket, hit the ball twice, obstructing the field, timed out and retired out.
- When is a batter out bowled?A batter is out bowled when a ball from the bowler breaks their wicket: at least one bail comes completely off, or a stump is knocked out of the ground.
- When is a batter out caught?A batter is out caught when the ball touches their bat, or the glove on the hand holding it, and a fielder holds the ball before it touches the ground.
- When is a batter out leg before wicket?A batter is out LBW when the ball hits their body or pads, not the bat, and the umpire judges it would have gone on to hit the stumps.
- When is a batter run out?A batter is run out when they are out of their ground and a fielder breaks the wicket with the ball, or with a hand holding the ball.
- When is a batter out stumped?A batter is out stumped when they leave their ground to play the ball and miss it, and the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket before they get back, with no other fielder touching the ball.