Changes

Two batsmen (the '''''openers''''') take to the field accompanied by the entire fielding side and two umpires. The batsman who is to receive the first ball is '''''on strike''''' and takes guard in front of his wicket. His '''''non-striking''''' partner waits at the other end of the pitch.

Two batsmen (the '''''openers''''') take to the field accompanied by the entire fielding side and two umpires. The batsman who is to receive the first ball is '''''on strike''''' and takes guard in front of his wicket. His '''''non-striking''''' partner waits at the other end of the pitch.

The fielding side nominates a bowler who has six balls (six balls = one '''''over''''') with which to dismiss the batsman. Bowlers must bowl overarm and may not bowl consecutive overs. A day's play consists of 90 overs (540 balls), usually divided into three 2 hour sessions with breaks for lunch and tea.

The fielding side nominates a bowler who has six balls (six balls = one '''''over''''') with which to dismiss the batsman. Bowlers must bowl overarm, and must not bend the elbow during the delivery of the ball. Typically, bowlers take a run up before delivering a ball. A bowler may not bowl consecutive overs, so that typically two bowlers will bowl alternative overs until the captain decides to make a switch.  In theory any player may bowl, but in practice no more than five or six of the eleven will usually participate.  One other member of the fielding side acts as the wicket-keeper standing directly behind the wicket to catch any missed balls, or any balls where the batsman managed only a faint touch. The remaining members of the fielding side (who are specialist batsmen) spend the entire innings fielding.

 

A day's play consists of 90 overs (540 balls), usually divided into three 2 hour sessions with breaks for lunch and tea.

The batsman’s aim is to score '''''runs''''' whilst protecting his wicket. Generally speaking, in order to score a run, he must first hit the ball. He and his partner must then decide whether or not they can run to each other’s end of the pitch before the fielding side have time to break either wicket with the ball. They may run as many times as they are able per hit and the ''on strike'' batsman scores one run for his team each time they do so.

The batsman’s aim is to score '''''runs''''' whilst protecting his wicket. Generally speaking, in order to score a run, he must first hit the ball. He and his partner must then decide whether or not they can run to each other’s end of the pitch before the fielding side have time to break either wicket with the ball. They may run as many times as they are able per hit and the ''on strike'' batsman scores one run for his team each time they do so.

A batsman can be dismissed ('''''given out''''') in a number of different ways. The most common are:

A batsman can be dismissed ('''''given out''''') in a number of different ways. The most common are:

* '''Bowled''' – the ball hits the wicket and removes the bails direct from the bowler’s delivery.

* '''Bowled''' – the ball hits the wicket and removes the bails direct from the bowler’s delivery, or after hitting only the batsman or his bat.

* '''Caught''' – the batsman hits the ball and it is caught by the fielding side before it touches the ground.

* '''Caught''' – the batsman hits the ball and it is caught by the fielding side before it touches the ground.

* '''LBW''' (leg before wicket) – the batsman fails to hit the ball and it strikes him in such a way that the umpire judges it would have gone on to hit the stumps. N.B. This mode of dismissal depends on a number of other factors – see below for a fuller discussion.

* '''LBW''' (leg before wicket) – the batsman fails to hit the ball and it strikes him in such a way that the umpire judges it would have gone on to hit the stumps. N.B. This mode of dismissal depends on a number of other factors – see below for a fuller discussion.

* '''Stumped''' – see below.

* '''Stumped''' – see below.

The batting side must always have two batsmen operating in partnership. Thus, although they have eleven players, once ten wickets have fallen they are '''''all out''''' and their '''''innings''''' is over. The batting and fielding sides then swap roles and this cycle is repeated so that both teams have two opportunities to bat.

The batting side must always have two batsmen operating in partnership, and each member of the batting team is allowed to bat once and only once in an innings. Thus, although they have eleven players, once ten wickets have fallen they are '''''all out''''' and their '''''innings''''' is over. The batting and fielding sides then swap roles and this cycle is repeated so that both teams have two opportunities to bat.

In order to win, a team must dismiss the opposition twice (i.e. take 20 wickets) and have scored more runs within the five days. A match is drawn if either team fails to dismiss the other twice, irrespective of how many runs may have been scored.  

In order to win, a team must dismiss the opposition twice (i.e. take 20 wickets) and have scored more runs within the five days. A match is drawn if either team fails to dismiss the other twice, irrespective of how many runs may have been scored.

== '''Scoring''' ==

== '''Scoring''' ==