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From: bbanerje@sjuvax.UUCP (B. Banerjee)
Newsgroups: net.sport
Subject: Re: Third Test in Calcutta
Message-ID: <758@sjuvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 01:55:42 EST
Article-I.D.: sjuvax.758
Posted: Mon Jan 14 01:55:42 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Jan-85 01:11:34 EST
References: <157@abnji.UUCP> <935@ihuxp.UUCP>
Organization: Saint Josephs Univ. Phila., Pa.
Lines: 103

>> Could someone please post to the net a summary of the REAL rules of cricket.
>> f some of the jargon used in the sport
>> (e.g., leg before wicket, not out).
>> -- 
>> 	Peter Gayde	AT&T Technologies	Naperville, IL
>> 	ihnp4!{iwu1b,ihuxp}!gayde	(312) 979-7598

Ok, in a nutshell, here is the scoop.

a) There are 11 players per team.
b) Both teams are "up to bat" each inning.
c) There are 2 innings for each team.
d) The entire team is out when 10 players of the team are out.

The game is played on a roughly circular (oval) ground.  In the
center of the field is the "wicket".  This is a well mown and rolled
strip about 5' in width, and (I forget) in length.  There are 2
batters out at one time.  One of them "faces the bowling" while the
other is the "runner".  Upon delivery of the ball, the batsman plays
it, and has an option of whether to run or not.  If he elects to run,
the runner and the batsman swap ends.  This scores 1 run.  Further
possibilities for scoring are the "boundary" where the ball rolls
over the boundary of the field (which scores 4 runs) and the "sixer"
(or over-boundary) which corresponds to a home run, and scores 6.

The bowler ("pitcher") bowls for an "over" at a time.  An over is
6 deliveries {except for the Aussies and Kiwis (Australians and
New Zealanders) for whom it is 8}.  The only stipulation for the
bowler is that he keep his elbow from bending during delivery.
Sidearm and underarm deliveries are legal.  However, the most effective
is the over-arm delivery, leading to the distinctive roundhouse
delivery style.

The ball may bounce before it reaches the batsman.  Thus you have
the following types of bowlers.
a) Fast bowlers -	These use sheer speed, and "swing" (curve)
in order to get the batsmen out.  Due to the construction of the
cricket ball, it is possible to swing the ball from left to right
(inswinger) as well as from right to left.  As the fast bowlers
delivery frequently exceeds 90 mph; and bounces off the ground to
boot, they are usually intimidating factors.
b) Medium pacers - These usually use guile, including change of
pace, and bouncing the ball off the seams in order to lure the
batsman into indiscretion.  They are usually the 'utility' bowlers
who keep going for a long time.
c) Slow bowlers, or spinners.  As the name indicates, these bowlers
spin the ball considerable off the ground.  When the conditions suit
them, they are practically unplayable.  Among spinners, there are
"off-spinners" who spin the ball clockwise, and "leg-spinners" who
spin it counterclockwise.  Due to the different techniques involved,
it is rare that one bowler does both.

The ways to get out are :

a) bowled - the ball hits the stumps (howzat!)
b) caught - as it says
c) run out - caught out of the crease while trying to score a run.
d) stumped - wandered out of the crease while trying to play a ball,
		and the wicket keeper (catcher) tags the stumps.
e) leg before wicket - In the judgement of the umpires, the ball
	would have hit the wicket if the batsman had not blocked it
	with his leg.  Since this is a judgement call, it is where
	most of the heat is generated.
f) Interfering with the fielding - I've never heard of anyone who was
	out in this fashion.

TERMINOLOGY.

sticky wicket - the playing field has been rained on, and is now
	drying out.  Unpredictable bounce, and very hard to play.
googly -	a disguised delivery by a leg spin bowler which spins
		opposite to the way it is expected to.
chinaman -	A googly by a left handed bowler (Anyone see the Dr. Who
		episode where he says "I used to bowl a good chinaman"?)
straight bat -	Since the ball bounces off the ground, it is safest
		(and most stylish) to play it with the blade of the bat
		perpendicular to the ground.

TEAMS

There are teams that play within themselves every season.  However,
there are also "Test matches" when the teams of two cricket playing
nations play each other.  The situation as of 5 years ago...

England - On the decline.
Australia - inconsistent.  Sometimes good, and sometimes not.
West Indies - Very powerful, but also inconsistent.
India - Was very strong during the early 70's, but had really slumped
	last time I looked.
Pakistan - Up and coming.  Very strong.
New Zealand - A pitiful joke.
South Africa - An unknown quantity.  India, Pakistan and the West Indies
have boycotted them.  Reputed to have a very strong team.

Well, I hope that this clears things up.

Regards,

-- 
				Binayak Banerjee
		{allegra | astrovax | bpa | burdvax}!sjuvax!bbanerje
P.S.
	Send Flames, I love mail.