The cricket ball shall weigh not less than 5 1/2 ounces (155.9 gms.) and not more than 5 3/4 ounces (163 gms). Its circumference shall not be less than 8 13/16” (22.4 cms.) and not more than 9″ (22.9 cms.) It shall be made of leather which is painted shining red. During the matches played during nights the white ball is used. Each captain asks for the new ball before the beginning of a new innings. In case the ball is lost or damaged, the umpire can allow a new ball, the condition of which should be like that of the lost or damaged ball.
Pitch:
The area of the ground between the bowling creases is known as the pitch. It is 5′ (1.52 metres) wide on either side of the imaginary line joining the centre of the wickets. The breadth of the entire pitch is 8′ 8″.
Wickets:
Three-three wickets shall be fixed in front of each other, and the distance between these fixed wickets shall be 22 yards. The breadth of the wickets shall be 9″. The wickets have three stumps each and there shall be two bails to be placed on them. The stumps shall be equal and shall be so planted as to prevent the ball from passing through them. The top of the stumps from ground shall be 28″. Each bail shall be 4, 3/8” in length and when in position on the position on the stumps shall not project more than 1/2” above them.
Bat:
The length of the bat including the handle is 38″ and its width from the widest part cannot be more than 4 1/4“. The weight of an ordinary cricket bat is 2 1/2 pounds.
Bowling and Popping Creases:
The bowling creases shall be drawn 8′ 8″ straight in length, with stumps in the centre. The popping creases shall be marked 4 feet in front of and parallel to the bowling crease. It shall extend by 6′ on either side of the stumps. The return crease shall be drawn perpendicular to the two ends of the bowling crease, and it shall be extended to meet the popping crease. Both the return and popping creases, are deemed unlimited in length.
Innings:
Each team has to play two times by turn. It is decided by toss as to which team shall play first. If the team playing first has scored 200 runs in 5 or more than 5 day match, 150 runs in 3 day match. 100 runs in two day match and 50 runs in 1 day match over and above the runs made by the opposing team, it can ask other team to play again that is it can declare follow on. The captain of the batting team can also declare the close of innings before time.
Start and Close of Play and Intervals:
Everyday at the start of each innings or before the start of the match the captain says “play” and if his team refuses to play, it shall lose the match. Ten minutes in each innings and maximum 2 minutes in the coming of each new batsman are allowed. Runs are reckoned for scoring.
When a batsman after hitting the ball reaches from one end to the other, one run is deemed to completed. If a batsman turns back without reaching the other end that is not considered as run. This is called short run. If while making the run, the ball is in the air and is caught, no run shall be deemed to be scored. Similarly, If a batsman is run out, the run being attempted shall not be counted.
1. A cricket match is played between two teams. Each team has 11 players. Each team had its own captain who nominates his players before the toss for the innings.
2. If during the game a player is incapacitated by illness or injury, a substitute is allowed. But substituted player can only do fielding. He can neither bat nor bowl.
3. Before the toss for the innings, one umpire for each feild is appointed to make impartial decisions of the game.
4. Scorers are appointed to keep record of all runs scored. They obey all the signs and orders of the umpire.
Cricket kit:
It is essential for a cricket player to put on cricket kit. It means white pants, shirt, shoes, socks, pad, abdominal guar, gloves and bat.
