Cricket Basics: Essential Rules and Roles

1. Number of Players Each cricket team typically consists of 11 players. One team bats while the other fields. There are substitutes allowed for injured players. Roles of Batsman Batsmen are responsible for scoring runs. They defend their wickets and try to hit the ball to the boundary. Batsmen can be dismissed through various methods, like getting bowled or caught. Roles of Bowler Bowlers aim to dismiss batsmen and restrict runs. They deliver the ball to the batsman from one end of the pitch. Bowlers can dismiss batsmen by bowling them out, getting them caught, or other means. Scoring Runs Runs are scored by the batsmen running between the wickets after hitting the ball. Boundaries, such as fours (ball reaches the boundary) and sixes (ball goes over the boundary), also earn runs. Extras, like wides and no-balls, can also contribute to the batting team's score. Wickets and Dismissals The primary target of bowlers is to get the batsmen out by hitting the stumps (wickets). Batsmen can also be dismissed by getting caught, run out, or leg before wicket (LBW). The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins, and the other team's innings is over when all their wickets are taken.