There are a total 42 rules of the cricket game. Today we are looking 15 rules of cricket, some main cricket rules also falls under these 15 rules.
The rules of cricket are given systemically from 1 to 15. Cricket rules make this game interesting. First rule is for the number of players in a team, 2nd rule is about injured player replacement, 3rd rule defines umpires role, 4th rule tells about scorers, 5th rule is about cricket ball dimension and weight, 6th rule tells bats height, 7th rule defines cricket pitch dimensions, 8th rule is about stumps, balling popping crease is under 9th rule, 10th rule is about wet and dry pitch, cricket pitch covering is under 11th rule, 12th rule tells about innings end and toss, 13th rule gives follow on rights, innings declared comes under 14th rule and 15th rule is about interval laws of cricket.
15 rules of cricket
Every rule is important and there are some main rules of cricket which impacts most. Out of 42 rules 15 rules of the cricket game are explained below.
First rule of cricket
First rule tells how many players in cricket team. One cricket team contains a total 11 players including captain. Outside official tournaments more than 11 players can play in a team but only 11 players are allowed to field on the ground.
Second rule
Second rule is about injured player replacement. In a cricket game an injured player can be replaced by a substitute player. Substitute players cannot perform batting, bowling, wicket keeping and captaincy. Once the main player recovers, the captain can send a substitute player out of the cricket ground.
An injured batsman can keep a substitute player as a runner, the batsman keeps batting and substitute player to run runs for the batsman.
Third rule
According to the third rule there are mainly two umpires in cricket who operate the whole match from inside the ground. Third umpire or TV umpire outside the ground in a cabin in front of the computer screen and helps the main umpire in the ground. It is not necessary to take the help of a third umpire but in some difficult circumstances main umpires take the help of a third umpire.
Fourth rule
There are two scores sitting outside the ground in the cabin, they respond to umpires signals and keep running the game by updating the scores regularly.
Preparing instruments and pitch outline
Rule 5 to rule 11 tells about cricket equipments and cricket pitch specifications. These rules do not contain wicket keepers gloves specifications and the same is discussed in rule number 40.
Fifth cricket rule
Cricket ball circumference is 8 i.e between 13/16 and 9 inches (22.47cm to 22.9cm). Cricket ball weight ranges between 5.5 to 5.7 ounces (155.9 gram to 163 gram). During the cricket match only one ball is used for a team until the ball losts and when the ball is lost a similar ball (old ball as per overs) is selected by the umpire. Each team gets a new ball in the beginning of their innings like this officially total two new balls are used to play a game. Opposition team can request to change the ball. In test matches a new ball is taken after 80 overs and in ODIs a new ball can be taken after 34 overs.
Sixth rule
Cricket bats height should not be more than 38 inches (97 cm) and width should not be more than 4.25 inches (10.28 cm). Gloves are considered a part of the bat so the batsman is given out after the ball touches the gloves and the fielder or keeper catches it.
Seventh rule
Cricket pitch area is rectangular, 22 yards long and 10 feet wide (20m long & 3m wide). The pitch is selected and prepared by field officials, once the match starts the umpires take total control of it.
Eight rule
There are three wooden stumps equally in both ends, and a total six stumps are used in the cricket pitch. Cricket stumps height is 71 cm (28 inches), they are placed in a batting crease 9 inches wide and two bells are kept over them. In men’s cricket bells height should be 10.95 cm.
Ninth rule
Bowling crease length should be 8 ft 8 inches (2.64m). Popping crease is made on both ends of the pitch. Popping crease is 4 cm in front of the bowling crease, it’s parallel to the crease.
Tenth rule in cricket
This rule tells how to cut the pitch grass? The grass idle length is decided under this rule. How to prepare the cricket pitch? check whether the ball is bouncing correctly on the pitch or not. How to do the rolling on the cricket pitch?
Eleventh rule
This rule is about covering the cricket pitch. A ball bouncing on the wet pitch reacts differently in the dry pitch.
Twelfth rule
The innings ends when all batsman of a team gets out and if a batsman is not fit to bat the innings is declared. Toss is done by tossing a coin and the winning captain choses batting or fielding.
Thirteenth rule
This rule tells about follow on in cricket.
For 5 days play – Ahead 200 runs.
For 3 or 4 days play – Must be ahead by 150 runs.
For 2 day play – Must be ahead by 100 runs.
Fourteenth rule
This rule is about innings declared and handing over the authority. It is good to know all the rules before or along with joining cricket academy, if you live in Canada you can find top 5 cricket academy in Canada.
15th rule of cricket
This rule is about interval laws in cricket. Intervals like lunch, tea break, 10 minutes break, drinks break are considered under this rule of cricket.
Conclusion – Now you are aware of 15 rules of cricket. First rule is about the total number of players, second about replacement and the 3rd rule is for umpires. Similarly there are total 42 rules in cricket defining players, equipment, ground, pitch, score, ball, bat, types of out, intervals in cricket, bat ball weight, stumps height, popping crease, and follow on etc. All these are briefly explained.