Cricket Equipment – Cricket Bat – The Rules of Play

If you’ve just bought your new cricket bat and equipment to match but haven’t a clue how to play the game, you’ve come to the right place.

The first thing that happens at a cricket match before any play can begin is the toss up. One of the team captains will toss a coin and whoever wins the toss gets to decide whether they want to bat or field. There is a lot of strategy involved in deciding whether to get the cricket equipment out first and bat, or whether to field first. The most important factors to take into consideration are:

1. The state of the pitch on the first day – Usually, a cricket pitch will be at its best on the first and second day of play before the rigorous game has destroyed its surface. Choosing to bat first is usually the best option given that the conditions are good.
2. The state of the weather – Weather can drastically affect a pitch either before the game or whilst it’s being played. The cricket pitch can often retain moisture on the first day if it has been rainy prior to play which is favourable for bowler’s equipment. This is because fast bowlers can achieve a lot of swing and the bounce off the pitch is less predictable, making batting considerably more difficult.

Once the above decision has been made, the cricketers are ready to grab their equipment and start the match. The match starts by one side taking a turn to bat whilst the other side fields; play will then be reversed. As each side bat, this process is referred to as “innings”. An innings is completed when ten batsmen are out, or cannot physically bat due to any injury they might have sustained. Or, when the captain of a batting side announces that the innings are closed. The other team will then begin their innings. There will either be one or two innings per team which is decided at the beginning of the match.

At the start of a team’s innings, only two players bat whilst the opposite team send out their 11 men to field. The rest of the batting team wait on the sidelines for their turn to bat. Each batsman is given a ranking so that they know when it will be their turn to bat. Whilst play is taking place, there is special protective cricket equipment which must be worn by the batsman.

The cricket match ends and the equipment is put away when either one side has completed all its innings, and the second side, while batting last, surpasses the first side's total number of runs. Or, both sides have completed all their innings, and one side has scored more runs. Or, both sides have completed all their innings, and both sides have scored the same number of runs. This results in a tie. Or, if one side concedes defeat then the other side has won. Finally, if the time allotted for playing the match runs out before either side can win, the result is a draw.

Sports HQ is the European division for Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs, California. We sell a huge range of cricket equipment, including cricket bats. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us. Call us today on 01527 598388 for more information or to place an order.