cricket+page!


 * Cricket!!

Cricket** is a [|bat-and-ball] team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held. Today, the game's governing body, the [|International Cricket Council] (ICC), has [|104 member countries].[|[1]] With its greatest popularity in the [|Test] playing countries, cricket is widely regarded as the world's second most popular sport[|[2]][|[3]][|[4]]. The rules of the game are known as the [|Laws of Cricket].[|[5]] These are maintained by the ICC and the [|Marylebone Cricket Club] (MCC), which holds the copyright. A cricket match is played on a [|cricket field] at the centre of which is a [|pitch]. The match is contested between two teams of eleven players each.[|[6]] One team [|bats], trying to score as many [|runs] as possible without being dismissed ("[|out]") while the other team [|bowls] and [|fields], trying to dismiss the other team’s batsmen and limit the runs being scored. When the batting team has used all its available [|overs] or has no remaining batsmen, the roles become reversed and it is now the fielding team’s turn to bat and try to outscore the opposition. There are several variations in the length of a game of cricket. In professional cricket this ranges from a limit of 20 overs per side ([|Twenty20]) to a game played over 5 days ([|Test cricket]). Depending on the form of the match being played, there are different rules that govern how a game is won, lost, drawn tied. hide] * [|1] [|Objectives]
 * ==Contents==
 * [|1.1] [|Pitch, wickets and creases]
 * [|1.2] [|Bat and ball]
 * [|1.3] [|Umpires and scorers]
 * [|1.4] [|Innings]
 * [|1.5] [|Overs]
 * [|1.6] [|Team structure]
 * [|1.7] [|Bowling]
 * [|1.8] [|Fielding]
 * [|1.9] [|Batting]
 * [|1.10] [|Runs]
 * [|1.11] [|Extras]
 * [|1.12] [|Dismissals]
 * [|1.13] [|Innings closed]
 * [|1.14] [|Results]
 * [|2] [|Weather]
 * [|3] [|Types of matches]
 * [|3.1] [|Test cricket]
 * [|3.2] [|Limited overs]
 * [|3.3] [|National championships]
 * [|3.4] [|Other types of cricket]
 * [|4] [|History]
 * [|5] [|International structure]
 * [|5.1] [|Full Members]
 * [|5.2] [|Top Associate/Affiliate Members]
 * [|6] [|See also]
 * [|7] [|Notes and references]
 * [|8] [|External links] ||

Objectives
  A typical [|cricket field]. A cricket match is played between two teams (or sides) of eleven players each on a [|field] of variable size and shape. The ground is [|grassy] and is prepared by groundsmen whose jobs include fertilising, mowing, rolling and levelling the surface. Field diameters of 140–160 yards (130–150 m) are usual. The perimeter of the field is known as the [|boundary] and this is sometimes painted and sometimes marked by a rope that encircles the outer edge of the field. The Laws of Cricket do not specify the size or shape of the field[|[7]] but it is often oval – one of cricket's most famous venues is called [|The Oval]. The objective of each team is to score more [|runs] than the other team and to completely [|dismiss] the other team. In one form of cricket, winning the game is achieved by scoring the most runs, even if the opposition has not been completely dismissed. In another form, it is necessary to score the most runs and dismiss the opposition in order to win the match, which would otherwise be drawn. Before play commences, the two team captains [|toss] a coin to decide which team shall [|bat] or [|bowl] first. The captain who wins the toss makes his decision on the basis of tactical considerations which may include the current and expected field and weather conditions. The key action takes place in a specially prepared area of the field (generally in the centre) that is called the [|pitch]. At either end of the pitch, 22 yards (20 m) apart, are placed the [|wickets]. These serve as a target for the [|bowling] (//aka// [|fielding]) side and are defended by the [|batting] side which seeks to accumulate runs. A run is scored when the [|batsman] has run the length of the pitch after hitting the ball with his bat, although as explained below there are many ways of scoring runs.[|[8]] If the batsmen are not attempting to score any more runs, the ball is dead and is returned to the bowler to be bowled again.[|[9]]