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Despite a low profile in the United States, where baseball is the dominant bat and ball sport, on a global scale cricket is only surpassed by [[soccer]] in terms of popularity; it is the primary spectator sport in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[West Indies]] and of major importance in England, [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[South Africa]], and in many other places that were historically affected by British colonial influence.

Despite a low profile in the United States, where baseball is the dominant bat and ball sport, on a global scale cricket is only surpassed by [[soccer]] in terms of popularity; it is the primary spectator sport in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[West Indies]] and of major importance in England, [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[South Africa]], and in many other places that were historically affected by British colonial influence.

==The Pitch==

=The Pitch=

 

Cricket is played on a [[pitch]] or green, essentially a flat [[grass]] playing field. As imperfections in the playing surface may affect the behavior of the ball, the green is considered high maintenance as it has to be regularly rolled, watered and cut to ensure suitability for play. A [[groundskeeper]] is usually employed for this purpose. As regular play often wears out the grass around the wicket, this area has to be returfed, sometimes several times a season. The saying, ''"If there's grass on the wicket, play on"'' refers to this.

Cricket is played on a [[pitch]] or green, essentially a flat [[grass]] playing field. As imperfections in the playing surface may affect the behavior of the ball, the green is considered high maintenance as it has to be regularly rolled, watered and cut to ensure suitability for play. A [[groundskeeper]] is usually employed for this purpose. As regular play often wears out the grass around the wicket, this area has to be returfed, sometimes several times a season. The saying, ''"If there's grass on the wicket, play on"'' refers to this.

==Modernisation==

== Modernisation ==

 

Attempts to modernise the game in recent years, such as introducing luridly coloured team uniforms instead of the traditional cricket whites, and limiting the number of overs to be played still further, notably by the Australian media tycoon [[Kerry Packer]], have been met with widespread derision, and for the most part the game remains essentially unchanged from its original form, the only major recent innovations being the introduction of high-tech protective headgear in response to the hazards of modern fast-bowling techniques. Cricket balls continue to be made from [[cork]] and [[leather]], and the bats from [[willow]] treated with linseed oil.

Attempts to modernise the game in recent years, such as introducing luridly coloured team uniforms instead of the traditional cricket whites, and limiting the number of overs to be played still further, notably by the Australian media tycoon [[Kerry Packer]], have been met with widespread derision, and for the most part the game remains essentially unchanged from its original form, the only major recent innovations being the introduction of high-tech protective headgear in response to the hazards of modern fast-bowling techniques. Cricket balls continue to be made from [[cork]] and [[leather]], and the bats from [[willow]] treated with linseed oil.

==Test cricket - an overview==

== Test cricket - an overview ==

The game begins with the toss of a coin between the two captains. The winning captain then elects to bat or field.

 

The game begins with the toss of a coin between the two captains. The winning captain then elects to bat or field.  

The size of the field of play varies widely between cricket grounds, but the '''''pitch''''' in the centre is always 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. At either end of this pitch are two sets of '''''wickets''''', consisting of three wooden posts ('''''stumps''''') upon which rest two wooden '''''bails'''''. Around the edge of the field of play lies the '''''boundary rope'''''.

The size of the field of play varies widely between cricket grounds, but the '''''pitch''''' in the centre is always 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. At either end of this pitch are two sets of '''''wickets''''', consisting of three wooden posts ('''''stumps''''') upon which rest two wooden '''''bails'''''. Around the edge of the field of play lies the '''''boundary rope'''''.

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 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.

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.

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

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, or after hitting only the batsman or his bat.

* '''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.

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''' ==

 

The scoring of matches, and especially the way results are presented, can sometimes be confusing. As an example, let us imagine that, at the end of the first day’s play, Sri Lanka have scored 286 runs and have lost 5 wickets. This would be written as '''286-5'''.

The scoring of matches, and especially the way results are presented, can sometimes be confusing. As an example, let us imagine that, at the end of the first day’s play, Sri Lanka have scored 286 runs and have lost 5 wickets. This would be written as '''286-5'''.

Playing Australia, the match pans out as follows:

Playing Australia, the match pans out as follows:

* Sri Lanka – 1st innings: 431

* Sri Lanka   – 1st innings: 431

* Australia – 1st innings: 390

* Australia – 1st innings: 390

* Sri Lanka – 2nd innings: 360

* Sri Lanka   – 2nd innings: 360

Australia now need 402 runs to win. At the end of the 4th day, they find themselves 100-3 in their 2nd innings. Thus, they require 302 more runs to win on the final day with 7 wickets in hand.

Australia now need 402 runs to win. At the end of the 4th day, they find themselves 100-3 in their 2nd innings. Thus, they require 302 more runs to win on the final day with 7 wickets in hand.