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'''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.

'''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, public tennis and basket ball courts  and other open areas.

== Equipment ==

== Equipment ==

*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 [[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 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.

*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 or rubber.

*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, box from slab of beer, empty tinnies (duct tape optional), 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.  

*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, box from slab of beer, empty tinnies (duct tape optional), 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 leaned against 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. These are only used if there are not enough players to fill all postions

== Rules ==

== Rules ==

*'''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".

*'''Out on the full''' is a less common rule, often used when the backyard environment leads to an increased chance of a six and out (low fences, etc). Under this rule the batsman is given out if they hit any stationary object on the full; unless it is mother hanging out the washing then it is...well... everyone goes home.  You could say: "Stumps are drawn."

*'''Out on the full''' is a less common rule, often used when the backyard environment leads to an increased chance of a six and out (low fences, etc). Under this rule the batsman is given out if they hit any stationary object on the full; unless it is mother hanging out the washing then it is...well... everyone goes home.  You could say: "Stumps are drawn."

*'''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 (Mom) 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.