Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players each on a cricket field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch with a target called the wicket (a set of three wooden stumps upon which two bails sit) at each end. Each phase of play is called an innings during which one team bats, attempting to score as many runs as possible, whilst their opponents field. Depending on the type of match, the teams have one or two innings apiece and, when the first innings ends, the teams swap roles for the next innings. Except in matches which result in a draw, the winning team is the one that scores the most runs, including any extras gained.
Cricket is one of the world's most popular sports. It's growth dates back to the days of the British Empire and it's colonial impact on what are now mostly countries of the Commonwealth. An interesting fact is that the first recognised international Cricket match took place between the United States of America and Canada in 1844. Cricket's main popularity base resides within England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. Recently the sport has seen growth in places like Bangladesh and even Canada, Ireland and Holland.
Forms of Cricket
Test/First Class Cricket
Test Matches - the international version of first class cricket, participated by teams that are members of the ICC (International Cricket Council). Test matches are played over five days, with each side having the opportunity to have up to two innings each.
First Class Cricket - the domestic form of competition that mirrors the concept of Test matches. Depending on the county, each match can be between three or four days.
In both Test and First Class matches, a draw is a valid result should a winner not be determined by the close of play on the last day.
Limited Overs Cricket
List A (otherwise known as One Day) Cricket - a match that, as the name suggests takes place over the course of one day, with each team having the opportunity to have one innings each. The amount of Overs per innings ranges between 40 and 50, depending on the competition.
Twenty20 - again, a match that the name suggests is a form of Limited Overs cricket that has innings of 20 overs per side. This is the most recent form of Cricket, designed for it's glamour and popularity with the crowds. The most lucrative competitions in Cricket, such as the Indian Premier League and Australia's Big Bash League are T20 competitions.
High Profile Competitions
There are a number of high profile competitions both domestic and international Cricket. Domestically, the Twenty20 competitions in England, India, Australia and West Indies have seen commercial and popular success, bringing in new fans of all ages. Internationally, T20 and Limited Overs cricket have World Cup events on a regular basis. Test Matches don't have any official global competition, but a number of rivalries between nations add an extra something to the competition. Chief amongst these are the Test series between England and Australia, called "The Ashes".
This thread is for discussion of all things Cricket. The competitions, the players, the venues, even those spectacular catches by those fans who somehow never spill any of their beer. Lets all enjoy the great sport together.
We don't like Cricket, we love it.
