| If you have been countries to outside of | | | | (the total amount of) runs". If neither team |
| North America you may have noticed a major | | | | is ahead with more runs, the cricket match |
| sport in places such as England and Wales, | | | | can end in a "tie" or "draw". |
| Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, | | | | |
| Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean that is known as | | | | The differences between a baseball bat and a |
| "Cricket". Cricket is extremely popular in | | | | cricket bat are very obvious. While the |
| many countries of the world and is considered | | | | cricket bat is made up of a long handle and a |
| to be one of the most popular spectator's | | | | flat surface, more like a paddle, the |
| sports in the regions it is played in. | | | | baseball bat is round and essentially tube |
| | | | shaped. Though the batting in cricket is very |
| The game of cricket appears very similar to | | | | similar to batting in baseball, it is not the |
| baseball at first glance though there is | | | | same. The same holds good for bowling and |
| significant difference between the two. They | | | | pitching. |
| are both Bat and Ball games and can confuse | | | | |
| an untrained eye that is unfamiliar with the | | | | When the ball is hit by the batsmen in |
| sport. | | | | cricket it is called a stroke (or shot). |
| | | | Sometimes the batsmen will hit the ball with |
| There are many things common to both these | | | | the side of the bat (as opposed to hitting it |
| games. Just as is the case in baseball, the | | | | with the flat surface, it is hit with the |
| game is divided into halves called 'innings'. | | | | edge). This is referred to as a "snick". |
| As is the case in baseball, during the | | | | Batters bat in a batting order which may be |
| 'inning' one team bats while the other team | | | | changed up to any point in the game if |
| 'fields' and 'bowls'. | | | | necessary to obtain a strategic advantage |
| | | | over the opposing team. |
| The team who bats first sets a target score | | | | |
| that the other team attempts to match. The | | | | Some find that it is due to the subtle |
| team that is bowling or playing the field | | | | differences in strategy that make cricket a |
| attempts to limit the amount of points or | | | | more compelling sport to both participate in |
| "runs" that the opposing team scores. When a | | | | and follow recreationally. Indeed, these |
| team is at bat they always have two batters | | | | subtle differences make for a different |
| (or batsmen) on the field. Innings do not | | | | experience in both playing and watching the |
| change until 10 batsmen are declared out. | | | | game. |
| This is referred to as "taking their wickets" | | | | |
| and results in the end of the inning. | | | | If you have an opportunity, you should see if |
| | | | you can find a cricket match, especially if |
| At the end of the game the winner is the team | | | | you are visiting one of the countries in |
| with the highest amount of runs. If the | | | | which it is a popular pastime. Cricket is |
| losing team bats last, the team is said to | | | | great fun once you decipher the jargon, rules |
| have lost by (the difference in the runs of | | | | and nomenclature of the sport. With a little |
| the winning team and the losing team). If the | | | | bit of a primer on the sport, you can enjoy |
| winning team is bats last, they have won by | | | | the game as much as others who love the game. |