Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sjuvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!sjuvax!bbanerje 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.