cover page [ next page ] [ index ]

CRICKET.

<figure>

BY:-<Name key="Eric Bentham">

page 1 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

CONTENTS

<figure>

page 2 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

INTRODUCTION,

I first became interested in cricket at the age of 6. My <reg>Dad</reg> plays for the <gap desc="team name"> Hospital team and I go with him every Saturday and watch him play. I think it was then that I decided I would one day play for a team.

During year 6 I have had the opportunity to be a member of the school cricket team organised by <gap desc="teacher name"> . Our first game was a great success beating <gap desc="team name"> by 8 runs.

<chpb desc="1.">

page 3 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

In April I started playing for my first cricket team. <gap desc="team name"> C.C. under 13's. Our first match was against <gap desc="team name">, I was 12th man but I was required to play. I only fielded at this match but it was a start. The scores were <gap desc="team name"> 94 for 3 (20 overs) <gap desc="team name"> 35 all out (17 overs). In this <reg>project</reg> I would like to give a history of cricket, explain about how the game is played including fielding positions and what equipment is needed.

<chpb desc="2.">

page 4 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

HISTORY

The first recorded referral of the game was 1598 where the Borough of Guildford Surrey refers to a game of 'creckett' played by the pupils of the Royal Grammar School Guildford.

By about 1700 games were being advertised in the local press. There is evidence that aristocrats and gentlemen, as well as those lower down the social scale were playing the

<chpb desc="3.">

game about this time mostly in Southeast England, the traditional original home of the game. It may well be that the first wickets were the gates of sheepfolds and the first bats <reg>shepherds’</reg> crooks.

By the 1760's there were already a few professional players who were hired by the rich and noble people. During the 18th century there evolved two kinds of professional player, the retained player and the independent player. The first was a <reg>servant</reg> of

<chpb desc="4.">

a lord as well as a cricketer, the second could go where his skills might earn the best money. Gradually there evolved a distinction between a player (a professional) and a gentlemen (an amateur).

In July 1806 the first Gentlemen V Players match was held on the original Lords ground and this fixture continued until 1963.

In 1787 the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) was formed,, this was to become the most influential cricketing body in the world.

<chpb desc="5.">

page 7 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

The last third of the 18th Century was an important period in cricket. It was introduced to other countries by soldiers, sailors, merchants, travellers, teachers and missionaries.

The first test match was played at Melbourne in March 1877 between Australia and England.

In August 1882 at the Oval Australia beat England for the first time, the following notice appeared in The Sporting Times:-

<chpb desc="6.">

page 8 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

In affectionate remembrance of English Cricket which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances

R.I.P.

NB. The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.

<chpb desc="7">

page 9 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

Later that year Ivo Bligh took a team to Australia where the English won two of the three test matches and two ladies presented him with an urn containing ashes which he brought back to England. This trophy is kept in the Long Room at Lords and a series between England and Australia is contested for <sic>them<sic>.

<chpb desc="8.">

page 10 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

EXPLANATION OF CRICKET

Cricket is an outdoor, fair weather, summer game. It is a contest between two teams each made up of eleven players, who wear white shirts, trousers, socks, boots and sweaters. The game is played in the middle of a circular field, around the edge is a boundary line. The grass on the field is cut short especially on the rectangle in the middle of the field which is known as the square. On this square a groundsman

<chpb desc="9.">

prepares a pitch, this is a <reg>strip of</reg> ground 20 metres (22 yards) long and about 2.75 metres (3 yards) wide.

<figure>

OUTFIELD

PITCH

SQUARE

BOUNDARY.

<chpb desc="10.">

page 12 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

At each end of the pitch are placed the wickets, three are placed near enough to each other to prevent the ball from passing through them.

Before the game begins the captains will toss a coin, the captain who calls correctly has the <reg>choice</reg> of batting or fielding.

The game is refereed by two umpires, one stands behind the wickets at the <reg>bowler's/reg> end, the other takes up a position around the square leg area. The umpires will

<NOTE LAN desc="sentence continued on next page">

<chpb desc="11.">

page 13 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

sometimes make a decision if a batsman is out and call 'over' after six balls have been bowled. Umpires usually have six counters in their pockets to remind them how many balls have gone.

Runs are scored when the batsman hits the ball and runs to the other wickets on the pitch. If a batsman hits the ball over the boundary without touching the ground he gets six runs, if the ball goes over the boundary but touches the ground he gets 4 runs.

<chpb desc="12.">

page 14 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

Once a side batting have used all their overs (e.g.45 overs) or they are all out, the team that fielded 1st will bat, whoever scores the most runs wins the match.

<chpb desc="13.">

page 15 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

THIRD MAN

Fine leg

Slips

3^rd and

Gully

Wicket keeper

Point

Square leg

<reg>Covers</reg>

Mid-wicket

Mid-off

Bowler

Mid-on

Fielding positions on a cricket pitch.

<chpb desc="14.">

page 16 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

UMPIRES

As mentioned previously umpires act as referees in a cricket match, they have to know the rules and make sure the scorer can see them when they signal to them. They will also have six coins or stones which they will use as counters to count the number of balls in an over, and in a limited over match a pad and pen to keep count of the overs bowled.

<chpb desc="15.">

page 17 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

SIGNALS USED BY UMPIRES.

Umpires, with the aid of signals inform the scorers how many runs have been scored, how they were scored, and if a batsman has been given out. The following are signals used by umpires:-

<figure>

<chpb desc="16.">

page 18 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

<figure>

<figure>

<chpb desc="17.">

page 19 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

<figure>

<figure>

<chpb desc="18.">

page 20 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

<figure>

<chpb desc="19.">

page 21 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

WAYS A BATSMAN CAN BE OUT.

1) BOWLED OUT.

When the bowler bowls the ball if the batsman misses it and the ball hits the wickets, the batsman is out.

2) CAUGHT OUT. If the batsman hits the ball when bowled by the bowler and a fielder catches it before it hits the ground, the batsman is <sic>out caught</sic>.

<chpb desc="20">

page 22 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

3) L.B.W. (LEG BEFORE WICKET).

If a batsman misses the ball and it hits him on his pads, if the umpire feels the ball would have hit the wickets the batsman will be given out L.B.W.

4) RUN OUT

If a batsman goes for a run and before he gets past the batting crease at the other end a fielder throws the ball and hits the wickets, the batsman will be run out.

page 23 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

5) STUMPED.

If a batsman moves out of his batting crease and misses the ball, the wicket keeper can stump him by hitting the wickets with the ball.

6. HITTING THE WICKET.

If the batsman on trying to hit the ball hits his wickets with his bat, he will be out <sic>hit wicket</sic>.

<chpb desc="22.">

page 24 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

7) HANDLING THE BALL.

If a batsman handles the ball except at the request of the fielding side, he would be given out for handling the ball.

8) HITTING THE BALL TWICE. If a batsman deliberately hits the ball a second time in an attempt to score runs he would be given out.

<chpb desc="23.">

page 25 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

9) OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD.

If a batsman wilfully obstructs a fieldsman he could be given out.

10. TIMED OUT.

When a batsman is out the next batsman has two minutes to reach the crease. if he is not there in that time he could be timed out.

<chpb desc="24">

page 26 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

It is unusual for a batsman to be given out for handling the ball, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field, or being timed out. However it sometimes does happen and the following is an article from a recent newspaper, showing how a batsman was timed out.

<chpb desc="25">

page 27 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

EQUIPMENT

The following equipment is needed before you can play cricket:-

BAT

BALL

PADS

BATTING GL0VES

CRICKET SHOES.

<chpb desc="26.">

page 28 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

Many players also have the following protective equipment to protect their bodies against the fast bowlers:-

HELMETS

THIGH PADS

<sic>ARMGUARDS</sic>

CHEST GUARDS.

<chpb desc="27">

page 29 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

This is my cricket kit

<chpb desc="28">

page 30 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

THIS IS ME WEARING My CRICKET KIT.

<chpb desc="29.">

page 31 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

BATS.

The maximum size for a cricket bat is 96.5 x 11.5 cm (38 x 4.5 ins). It should be well balanced and not too heavy. Bats come in different finishes, plastic or polyarmoured fronts as well as traditional wood. Bats are made from finest english willow.

<gap desc="imported material">

<chpb desc="30.">

page 32 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

PADS

These should feel comfortable and light enough so as not to hinder running between the wickets. Pads used to be fastened with buckles but velcro is used more now. The pads have strips of sponge or rubber inside which helps to protect your legs.

<gap desc="imported material">

<chpb desc="31.">

page 33 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

BALLS.

Balls have a cork centre wrapped with twine and a leather cover. The ball must be between 22.4 & 22.9 cm in circumference and weigh 155.9 to 163 gm. (5 ½ to 5 3/4 ozs). Balls must not cause damage to <reg>cricket</reg> bats when used and also keep their shape.

<gap desc="imported material">

<chpb desc="32.">

page 34 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

BATTING GL0VES

Gloves come in a variety of types, they should be well made, comfortable and have good padding on the parts of the hands facing the bowler.

<gap desc="imported material">

<gap desc="imported material">

<chpb desc="33.">

page 35 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

CRICKET SHOES,

There are many different styles of footwear, they should always be comfortable and allow for the wearing of thick woollen socks. Bowlers should always use spiked boots, rubber soled boots are fine for batting and fielding in dry firm conditions.

<gap desc="imported material">

<gap desc="imported material">

<chpb desc="34">

HELMETS.

Most batsmen now wear helmets with a full grill for protection against fast bowling and short pitched deliveries.

THIGH PAD, FOREARM PROTECTOR AND CHEST PROTECTOR.

These are premoulded protectors to protect the vulnerable parts of the body. They are usually made from lightweight impact absorbing form or fibre-glass. Years ago batsmen stuffed towels down their legs to protect them.

<chpb desc="35.">

page 37 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<gap desc="imported material">

<gap desc="imported material">

These are some examples of <reg>helmets</reg>.

<chpb desc="36.">

page 38 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<gap desc="imported material">

THIGH <reg>PADS</reg>

<gap desc="imported material">

ARM <reg>GUARDS</reg>

<chpb desc="37.">

page 39 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<gap desc="imported material">

CHEST <reg>GUARDS</reg>

<chpb desc="38.">

page 40 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

<figure>

SCHOOL CRICKET <reg>PRACTICE</reg>

<chpb desc="39.">

page 41 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

PHOTOGRAPH OF ME DOING CATCHING <reg>PRACTICE</reg>

<chpb desc="40">

page 42 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

<figure>

GETTING IN SOME EXTRA BATTING <reg>PRACTICE</reg>

<chpb desc="41">

page 43 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

QUIZ

<gap desc="wordsearch">

<figure>

1. <reg> Stumps</reg>
2. <sic>Batter</sic>
3. <sic>Pads</sic>
4. Bowler
5. Ball
6. Bails

By <Name key="Eric Bentham">

<chpb desc="42">

page 44 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ index ]

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

THE SKILLS OF CRICKET

KEITH ANDREW.

CRICKET TECHNIQUE, TACTICS, TRAINING.

DOUG FERGUSON.

ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF COUNTY CRICKET.

ERIC MIDWINTER.

CRICKET SKILLS

IMRAN KHAN.

<chpb desc="43.">