15 Rules of Cricket: Simple Guide for Everyone

Cricket might look like a simple game where you hit a ball with a bat, but there’s so much more to it!

If you’ve ever watched a cricket match and felt confused about what’s happening, you’re not alone.

Many people find cricket rules tricky to understand at first. But don’t worry – once you learn the basics, cricket becomes one of the most exciting sports to watch and play.

Whether you’re a complete beginner picking up a bat for the first time or someone who wants to understand the game better, knowing these 15 rules of cricket will make everything clearer.

Cricket has been played for hundreds of years, and while some rules have changed over time, the basic ideas remain the same.

Understanding these rules will help you enjoy watching matches on TV, playing with friends, or even joining a local cricket club.

The beauty of cricket lies in its strategy, teamwork, and the various ways a game can unfold.

15 Rules of Cricket

From the excitement of a boundary shot to the tension of a close run-out, every moment in cricket has meaning when you understand the rules behind it.

What Are the Basic Rules of Cricket?

Before diving into specific rules, let’s understand how cricket works. Cricket is played between two teams with 11 players each. The main goal is simple: score more runs than the other team.

Here’s how the game flows:

• The Batting Team tries to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball
• The Bowling Team aims to get the batsmen out and stop them from scoring
• The Fielding Team helps the bowler by catching balls and stopping runs
• Innings are turns where each team gets to bat and bowl

Cricket Match Formats

Format	Overs Per Team	Match Duration
Test Match	Unlimited	Up to 5 days
ODI (One Day International)	50 overs	1 day
T20	20 overs	3-4 hours

The basic idea stays the same across all formats, but the time limits and strategies change based on how many overs each team gets to play.

Top 15 Basic Cricket Rules You Should Know

Now let’s explore the essential rules that every cricket player and fan should understand. These rules form the foundation of the game and will help you follow any cricket match with confidence.

The Toss: Deciding Who Bats First

Every cricket match starts with a coin toss. The two team captains meet in the middle of the field, and one captain tosses a coin. The captain who wins the toss gets to choose whether their team will bat first or bowl first.

This decision is more important than it might seem. Captains think about:

• Weather conditions (will it rain later?)
• How the pitch looks (is it good for batting or bowling?)
• What their team does best
• The format of the match

Example: In a T20 match, many captains choose to bowl first because they prefer to know exactly how many runs they need to chase.

The Boundary: Scoring Four or Six Runs

The boundary is the edge of the cricket field, marked by a rope or fence. When a batsman hits the ball toward this boundary, they can score either four runs or six runs:

• Four runs: The ball crosses the boundary after bouncing on the ground
• Six runs: The ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground

Shot Type	Runs Scored	What Happens
Ball bounces, then crosses the boundary	4 runs	Batsman doesn’t need to run
Ball crosses the boundary in the air	6 runs	Batsman doesn’t need to run

These are the fastest ways to score runs in cricket, and they always excite the crowd!

Wickets: How to Dismiss a Batsman

Getting batsmen out is called taking a wicket. There are several ways this can happen:

• Bowled: The ball hits the wooden stumps behind the batsman
• Caught: A fielder catches the ball before it hits the ground
• Run-out: The fielding team breaks the stumps while the batsmen are running
• LBW: The ball hits the batsman’s leg when it would have hit the stumps
• Stumped: The wicket-keeper breaks the stumps while the batsman is out of his crease

Important: Once 10 batsmen are out, the innings ends (because you need 2 batsmen on the field at all times).

Runs: The Basics of Scoring

Runs are how teams score points in cricket. Batsmen can score runs in different ways:

• Running between wickets: After hitting the ball, batsmen run to the opposite end
• Boundaries: Hitting fours and sixes
• Extras: Additional runs given for bowling mistakes

Example: If a batsman hits the ball and both batsmen run to the other end once, that’s one run. If they run back and forth twice, that’s two runs.

Overs: The Unit of Bowling

An over consists of six legal deliveries bowled by one bowler. After each over:

• A different bowler must bowl the next over
• The fielders switch to the opposite end of the field
• Batsmen stay at their respective ends

Over Limits by Format:

• Test cricket: No limit on overs
• ODI: 50 overs per team, maximum 10 overs per bowler
• T20: 20 overs per team, maximum 4 overs per bowler

No-Balls and Free Hits: When Bowlers Make Mistakes

A no-ball happens when a bowler makes an illegal delivery:

• Overstepping the front line (called the crease)
• Bowling a full toss above waist height
• Having too many fielders in restricted areas

What happens after a no-ball:

• The batting team gets one extra run
• The bowler must bowl the ball again
• The next ball becomes a free hit (batsman can’t get out except by run-out)

Leg Before Wicket (LBW): Understanding a Complex Rule

LBW is one of the trickiest rules in cricket. A batsman can be out LBW if:

• The ball hits their body (usually the leg)
• The ball would have hit the stumps if the body hadn’t been there
• The ball pitched in line with the stumps or outside off-stump

Key points:

• If the ball pitches outside the leg stump, it’s not out
• The batsman must be hit in line with the stumps
• The umpire decides if the ball would have hit the stumps

Powerplay: Maximizing Runs Early

In limited-overs cricket (ODI and T20), certain overs are called powerplay overs. During powerplay:

• Only a limited number of fielders can stand outside the 30-yard circle
• This makes it easier for batsmen to score runs
• But also makes it riskier because fielders are closer

Powerplay Rules:

• ODI: First 10 overs (only 2 fielders outside the circle)
• T20: First 6 overs (only 2 fielders outside the circle)

The Follow-On Rule in Test Cricket

The follow-on rule only applies to Test cricket. If the team batting second scores significantly fewer runs than the first team, the leading team can ask them to bat again immediately.

Follow-on margins:

• Test matches: 200 runs behind
• 4-day matches: 150 runs behind
• 3-day matches: 100 runs behind

Example: If Team A scores 400 runs and Team B only scores 180 runs, Team A can enforce the follow-on, making Team B bat again right away.

Duckworth-Lewis and VJD Methods: Rain-Interrupted Matches

Sometimes rain or bad weather interrupts cricket matches. To make sure the result is fair, special mathematical methods calculate new targets:

• Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method: Used in international cricket
• VJD Method: Used in domestic Indian cricket, like IPL

These methods consider:

• How many overs are left
• How many wickets has the batting team lost
• The scoring pattern of the match

Wides: Penalty for Errant Deliveries

A wide ball is bowled too far from the batsman for them to hit it normally. When an umpire calls a wide:

• The batting team gets one extra run
• The bowler must bowl the ball again
• It doesn’t count as one of the six balls in an over

Common wide situations:

• Ball bowled too far outside off-stump
• Ball bowled too far down the leg side
• Ball bowled over the batsman’s head

Bouncers and Beamers: Short and High Deliveries

Bouncer: A short ball that rises toward the batsman’s head or chest

• Allowed: Maximum 2 bouncers per over in international cricket
• Purpose: To intimidate batsmen and make them play defensively

Beamer: A ball that reaches the batsman above waist height without bouncing

• Not allowed: Called a no-ball immediately
• Dangerous: Can seriously injure a batsman

Run-Out: Timing is Key

A run-out happens when:

• Batsmen are trying to run between the wickets
• A fielder collects the ball and breaks the stumps
• The batsman is outside their crease when the stumps are broken

Key points:

• Either batsman can be run out
• The wicket-keeper or any fielder can break the stumps
• Even a direct hit from the field can cause a run-out

Dead Ball: Stopping the Action

Sometimes play needs to stop, and the umpire calls a dead ball. This can happen when:

• The ball goes out of play
• A player gets injured
• The crowd interferes with the play
• The bowler stops in their run-up

Important: Nothing that happens after a dead ball call counts – no runs, no wickets, nothing.

The Super Over: Settling Tied Matches

When limited-overs matches end in a tie, a Super Over decides the winner:

• Each team faces one over (6 balls)
• Each team can use 3 batsmen
• The team with the most runs wins
• If it’s still tied, the team that hit more boundaries in the main match wins

Famous Super Over: The 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand was decided by a Super Over.

Other Important Cricket Rules and Regulations

Fielding Restrictions

Cricket has specific rules about where fielders can stand:

• Behind square: A Certain number of fielders must be in front of the batsman
• Leg side: Limited fielders allowed on the leg side
• Close catching: Rules about how many fielders can stand very close to the batsman

Fair and Unfair Play

Cricket has a strong tradition of fair play. Some things that are not allowed:

• Ball tampering: Illegally changing the condition of the ball
• Time wasting: Deliberately slowing down the game
• Appealing unfairly: Claiming wickets when you know the batsman is not out
• Sledging: Using offensive language to distract opponents

Injuries and Substitutes

If a player gets injured:

• A substitute fielder can replace them in the field
• The substitute cannot bat or bowl
• Concussion substitutes can bat and bowl (newer rule)
• The original player can return when fit

Why Knowing Cricket Rules is So Important?

Understanding cricket rules helps you in many ways:

• Better enjoyment: You’ll understand what’s happening during matches
• Improved performance: Knowing rules helps you play better
• Avoid penalties: You won’t lose runs or wickets due to rule violations
• Strategic thinking: You can understand team tactics and decisions
• Social connection: You can discuss matches with other cricket fans

For players specifically:

• You’ll make fewer mistakes during games
• You can help teammates understand situations
• You’ll feel more confident on the field
• You can question umpire decisions when appropriate

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the basic rules of cricket?

Cricket involves two teams of 11 players each trying to score more runs than their opponents. One team bats while the other bowls and fields. Batsmen score runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets or hitting boundaries. The bowling team tries to get batsmen out through various methods like bowling, catching, or run-outs.

• What is LBW in cricket?

LBW stands for “Leg Before Wicket.” A batsman is out LBW when the ball hits their body (usually the leg) in line with the stumps, and the umpire believes the ball would have hit the stumps if the batsman’s body hadn’t been there. The ball must not pitch outside the leg stump for an LBW decision.

• How many overs are in a cricket match?

The number of overs depends on the format: Test matches have unlimited overs per innings, ODI matches have 50 overs per team, and T20 matches have 20 overs per team. An over consists of six legal deliveries bowled by one bowler.

• What is the powerplay in cricket?

Powerplay is a period in limited-overs cricket where fielding restrictions apply. During powerplay overs, only a limited number of fielders (usually 2) can stand outside the 30-yard circle. This makes it easier for batsmen to score runs but also increases the risk of getting out.

• Can a substitute player bat or bowl in cricket?

No, a regular substitute player can only field – they cannot bat or bowl. However, a newer rule allows for “concussion substitutes” who can bat and bowl if a player is substituted due to a head injury. The original player can return to the game when they recover from their injury.

Conclusion:

Cricket might seem complicated at first, but these fundamental rules form the backbone of this beautiful game.

From the simple coin toss that starts each match to the excitement of a Super Over finish, every rule has a purpose in making cricket fair, exciting, and strategic.

Remember, learning cricket rules is like learning to drive – you don’t need to memorize everything at once.

Start with the basics, like how runs are scored and how batsmen get out.

As you watch more matches and maybe play a few games yourself, the more complex rules will start making sense naturally.

The most important thing is to enjoy the process of learning.

Cricket has millions of fans worldwide because it combines individual skill with team strategy, creating moments of brilliance and drama that make it truly special.

Whether you’re playing in your backyard or watching a World Cup final, understanding these rules will make every moment more meaningful and exciting.

Helpful Resources for Learning More:

To deepen your cricket knowledge, check these authoritative sites:

• ICC Official Website: Official rules and updates
• ESPN Cricinfo: Match analysis and statistics
• Wisden: Cricket history and expert opinions
• MCC Laws of Cricket: Complete official rules
• Match Legends: Cricket Updates on Point