攻略指南
Complete Beginner's Guide to Cricket: Scoring, Innings, Bowling, and Umpire Signals Explained
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Britain and former Commonwealth nations, but its complex scoring system, innings structure, and bowling rules often intimidate newcomers. This guide, based on the 2026 International Cricket Council rules, breaks down cricket's core fundamentals in plain language so you can enjoy watching international matches from the very first game.
Complete Beginner's Guide to Cricket: Scoring, Innings, Bowling, and Umpire Signals Explained
Cricket is the world's second-most popular spectator sport, with over 2.5 billion people following the game globally. For newcomers, cricket's scoring system, innings structure, and bowling rules can be overwhelming. This article breaks down everything you need to watch cricket with confidence, starting from zero.
- Basic Match Structure: Two-Innings Format and Scoring
The objective is straightforward: the batting side tries to score runs, while the fielding side tries to prevent runs and get batters out.
The basic scoring unit in cricket is the Run. Running the length of the pitch after a legal strike earns 1 run. Hitting the ball to the boundary counts as 4 runs. Hitting the ball directly over the boundary counts as 6 runs—one of the most exciting ways to score in cricket.
International official matches typically follow a two-innings format, giving each team two chances to bat and two chances to field.
The Over System
An Over consists of six legal deliveries (Balls). After six balls, a different bowler takes over and a new Over begins. A typical T20 match features 20 overs per side, lasting approximately three hours.
- Batting Rules: Six Common Ways to Get Out
Caught Out: The most common dismissal. A fielder catches the ball before it bounces. The batter is out immediately.
Bowled Out: The bowler's delivery hits the stumps directly without first touching the batter's bat or body. Considered one of the most technically elegant dismissals in cricket.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket): If the batter blocks the ball with any part of their body other than the hand holding the bat, and the umpire determines the ball would have hit the stumps without the body intervention, the batter is given out LBW.
Run Out: During the process of running between wickets, a fielder puts down the wicks (removes the bails) with the ball while it is in play, and the batter has not made it safely to the other end.
Hit Wicket: The batter accidentally dislodges their own stumps while playing the ball or leaving the crease.
Timed Out: The incoming batter must be ready within three minutes of the previous dismissal. If not, they are out (extremely rare in modern cricket).
- Bowling Rules
Bowlers must adhere to strict regulations. The bowling arm must remain straight and not exceed shoulder height, otherwise it is deemed a No-ball.
Three types of illegal deliveries exist:
No-ball: Arm angle too high or the bowler's foot crosses the popping crease.
Wide Ball: The ball travels so wide that the batter cannot reach it.
Dead Ball: The umpire calls play dead for various reasons.
Bowlers employ three main types of deliveries:
Fast Bowling: Speeds exceeding 140 km/h (87 mph).
Seam Bowling: Uses the ball's seam to generate irregular bounce off the pitch.
Spin Bowling: Rotation applied via fingers creates larger angular deviation.
- The Stumps and Umpire Hand Signals
The stumps consist of three vertical wooden posts (Stumps) and two small wooden pieces across the top (Bails). They serve as the primary reference point for all dismissals and legal deliveries.
Umpire hand signals:
- Arms raised and crossed above head — Out
- Arm extended horizontally toward the pitch — Not Out
- Arm extended horizontally toward the boundary — Four runs
- Both hands raised above the head — Six runs
- Palm facing up, waving back and forth — Wide Ball
- Palm facing down, waving back and forth — No-ball
- Main Formats of Cricket
Test Cricket: The traditional five-day format, widely considered the highest form of the sport.
ODI (One Day International): Each side faces 50 overs. If tied after regulation play, a Super Over decides the winner.
T20 (Twenty20): Each side faces only 20 overs (approximately three hours). The most commercially successful format, with the fastest pace and highest entertainment value—ideal for beginners.
- 2026 Cricket Viewing Highlights
Several major international tournaments are scheduled for 2026, including the T20 Intercontinental Cup and the Women's Cricket World Series. For Asian audiences, the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the must-watch annual event. IPL 2026 is expected to introduce several rule adjustments, including expanding the number of teams and increasing foreign player quotas.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any betting advice. Please gamble responsibly and within your means.
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