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'''Backyard cricket''' (also known as "beach cricket") is an informal version of the game [[Cricket (game)|cricket]] which is extremely popular in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. It is mostly played in a backyard, hence the name "backyard cricket". It can also be played in places such as [[park]]s, streets, home garages and other open areas.

'''Backyard cricket''' (known as "beach cricket" when played on the beach) is an informal version of the game [[Cricket (game)|cricket]] which is extremely popular in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. It is mostly played in a backyard, hence the name "backyard cricket". It can also be played in places such as [[park]]s, streets, home garages and other open areas.

== Equipment ==

== Equipment ==

The equipment usually used in a game of backyard cricket are:

The equipment typically used in a game of backyard cricket are:

*A [[Cricket bat|bat]], usually [[plastic]], or hand-made from a piece of fence paling, or other suitable scraps being saved for the next [[barbecue]].

*A [[Cricket bat|bat]]; usually wooden, [[plastic]], or hand-made from a piece of fence paling or other suitable scraps being saved for the next [[barbecue]].

*A [[tennis ball]], usually semi-bald, though sometimes new - see "Six and Out" below.

*A ball; usually a semi-bald (although sometimes new) [[tennis ball]] is used. Balls may also be improvised from round objects made of plastic, foam, rubber, garbage or a cat.

*Two sets of [[Cricket stumps|stumps]] (If bails are not included with the stumps, a stick is usually placed on the top of the stumps instead). The stumps can also be drawn onto a suitable wall or fence, or can be an appropriately size sheet of something leant on something.  

*At least one set of [[Cricket stumps|stumps]]; there are popular versions made from metal but, again, stumps may be improvised from objects like garbage bins, a tree, outdoor chairs or grandma. The stumps can also be drawn onto a suitable wall or fence, or can be an appropriately size sheet of something leant on something.  

*Some kind of object to mark the crease, e.g a straight stick, a [[hat]], a drawn line (commonly with [[chalk]])

*Some kind of object to mark the crease, e.g a straight stick, a [[hat]], a drawn line (commonly with [[chalk]])

*"Fieldsmen". These are any objects that can be placed in suitable positions to act as fielders - the garbage bin, barbecue, peg basket, wheelbarrow, baby sister, anything that if hit on the full means the hitter is out.

*"Fieldsmen". These are any objects that can be placed in suitable positions to act as fielders - the garbage bin, barbecue, peg basket, wheelbarrow, baby sister, anything that if hit on the full means the hitter is out.

*'''Auto-slips''' is similar to auto-keeper. Any ball hit into the [[slips]] is said to be caught out by the slips. This rule is also commonly used when there are insufficient players to fill in all positions.  

*'''Auto-slips''' is similar to auto-keeper. Any ball hit into the [[slips]] is said to be caught out by the slips. This rule is also commonly used when there are insufficient players to fill in all positions.  

*'''One hand one bounce''' is where a fielder has the opportunity to catch the batsman out if it has only bounced once, however they must catch the ball with one hand.  

*'''One hand one bounce''' is where a fielder has the opportunity to catch the batsman out if it has only bounced once, however they must catch the ball with one hand.  

*'''Tip and run''', also '''tippity''' and other names, is a rule when players must run every time they hit, no matter what the circumstances.

*'''Tip and run''', also '''tippity''', '''tippy-go''' and other names, is a rule when players must run every time they hit, no matter what the circumstances.

*'''Six and Out''', a rule that "goes back to the ark", where a hit over the fence, or through the bathroom window, onto the roof, down the gullet of an unfriendly dog; or anywhere else where ball retrieval can be difficult, is given the score of 6 runs, but the hitter is "out".

*'''Six and Out''', a rule that "goes back to the ark", where a hit over the fence, or through the bathroom window, onto the roof, down the gullet of an unfriendly dog; or anywhere else where ball retrieval can be difficult, is given the score of 6 runs, but the hitter is "out".

*'''LBW''' is technically not a "rule" as such, but it is commonly said when it is decided to incorporate the LBW rule into a game that it is "playing LBW" The problem with this is the usual disagreement between the batting side and the fielding side - since the fielding side is usually '''everyone''' except the batter, the batter is usually forced out (unless the batter is only 6 and has Mum on his side.)

*'''LBW''' is technically not a "rule" as such, but it is commonly said when it is decided to incorporate the LBW rule into a game that it is "playing LBW" The problem with this is the usual disagreement between the batting side and the fielding side - since the fielding side is usually '''everyone''' except the batter, the batter is usually forced out (unless the batter is only 6 and has Mum on his side.)

*'''Retire on X''' is a common rule in quick games of informal cricket. It means all batsmen must retire (give up their turn) once they reach a certain number of runs (such as 20, 50 or 100) to make sure all players receive a fair go.

*'''Retire on X''' is a common rule in quick games of informal cricket. It means all batsmen must retire (give up their turn) once they reach a certain number of runs (such as 20, 50 or 100) to make sure all players receive a fair go.