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From: jca@abnji.UUCP (james armstrong)
Newsgroups: net.sport,net.tv.drwho
Subject: Rules of Cricket (Short Summary)
Message-ID: <170@abnji.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-Jan-85 08:12:45 EST
Article-I.D.: abnji.170
Posted: Thu Jan 10 08:12:45 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Jan-85 00:19:27 EST
Organization: ATTIS, NJ
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Cricket is a fascinating game, loosely based on the first major interstellar
war...

There are two sides of 11 players, one side is batting, one is in the field.
Two players may bat at a given time, they do not change until one is out.
The side batting bats until 10 wickets fall, ie they have no more players
to bat, or until they "declare."

A declaration means that you are finished batting and will let the other side
have a go.  As cricket is limited by time, this is sometimes necessary to
avoid a draw due to time running out.

Two wickets are set up about 60 feet apart, one batsman stands at each.  A 
run is scored when the two batsmen cross and reach the wicket before it is
broken.  If a batsman is not back before the wicket is broken, he is run out.

A bowler bowls an over of six balls from one end of the field to the opposite
wicket, then another bowls from the opposite side.  These bowlers will normally
bowl at least 10 overs each before there is a change... that is not a rule.
When there is a change, the bowler assumes a position in the field.  He may
return to bowling later in the match.

How you are out:
run out (explained earlier)
caught:  When a ball you hit is caught in the air.
bowled:  When the bowler breaks the wicket you are guarding
leg before wicket (lbw):  When the ball hits your leg, without hitting your bat
first, and the umpire judges that if the ball was unimpeded you would have been
bowled.  You are not allowed to defend the wicket with just your leg, you must
use your bat.
stumped:  When you do not hit the ball, leave the safety of the crease around
the wicket, and the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket (rare)

First one side bats, then the other side bats.  Each sides batting is called
an innings (singular).  After both sides have had an innings, then the first
side will bat again, unless they built up a very large lead, when they can tell 
the other side to "follow on."  You need to be leading by 200 runs or more in
order to do that.

How to win:  Score more runs than your opponent.

Full details of the official rules will follow, I do not have my Wisden's with
me.

JCA   Oh ar oh ar!  I zupport Zomerzet!
-- 
Before he leaves the camp he stops
					He scans the world outside
And where there used to be some shops
					Is where the snipers sometimes hide
He left his home the week before
					He thought he'd be like the police
But now he finds he is at war
					When we're supposed to keep the peace