Reading Cricket Cub

There is a range of cricket ground equipment needed to play a successful game of cricket. The equipment used must fulfill specific requirements in regards to the rules and regulations of the game of cricket.

When setting up the cricket ground equipment the first few basic items required are the boundary and the sight screen. The boundary has 2 primary uses within cricket. Firstly the boundary is simply used to mark out the edge of the playing field, marking out the area of play. Secondly the boundary is used for the scoring of runs within the game of cricket, where a four is when the ball reaches the boundary, but a six is when the ball is hit clean over it. A sight screen is another very important piece of cricket ground equipment that must be set up before playing a game of cricket. The purpose of a cricket sight screen in crickets is to aid the visibility of the ball. The sight screens are placed at each end of the cricket ground opposite to the wickets, the colour of the sight screens makes seeing the cricket ball easier for the batsman. The sight screen also helps block out any distractions through light or otherwise that the bowler or batsman may face, which in turn help improve player performance.

The third piece of cricket ground equipment that is needed before starting to play cricket is the stumps and bails. The stumps are 3 wooden polls that are placed vertically in the ground directly behind the batter at each end of the pitch. Stumps are no more than 28 inches tall and have a spike at the end to be easily put into the ground. The bails are two small pieces of wood that sit on top of the stumps to link them together. In a game of cricket the batter is out when the stumps are broken apart, with one or both of the bail’s leaving the stumps. This can happen through the ball hitting the wicket, the batter hitting the wicket with their bat or if a fielder hits the wicket with the hand the ball is in.

The final two pieces of cricket ground equipment needed to begin your game of cricket is a ball and a bat. A regulation cricket ball has a cork base, and is wrapped in twine which is covered with leather. Cricket balls are also normally red or white, and very hard making them a potentially dangerous object when playing a game. A regulation cricket bat is often made from either Kashmir or English willow. A cricket bat has a long handle and on smooth face, with the other face in a triangular shape. Regulations also state that bats can be no longer than 38 inches and no wider than 4.25 inches.

With the amount of cricket ground equipment needed it is very important not only to purchase high quality items that will last but also affordable to save on major costs. Should you have any questions about the equipment available always to be sure to ask a customer representative at your cricket ground equipment supplier and they will always be willing to help.

Established in 1973, Morrant Group Ltd is a family run business with over 35 years experience in mail order team sports equipment. Father, Daughter, Son and staff are working hard every day to ensure that our company achieves its aim. We sell a range of sports gear, including cricket ground equipment and other goods. Please visit our website at http://www.morrant.com.

The use of technology in sports has been the subject of intense debate. The governing bodies of rugby and cricket have acquiesced to the use of technology for purposes of officiating. However, cricket includes technology in a limited way.

Television replays are used for stumping decisions, run outs and boundary calls. Cricket’s reality is that several umpiring errors are highlighted by comprehensive television coverage with cameras at all angles. Therefore, it is no surprise that some quarters are clamouring for the use of technology to assist umpires. On the other side of the continuum, there are those who insist that the status quo should be maintained.

There is the view that increased technology use would make the game of cricket fairer by reducing umpiring errors. To evaluate this, the International Cricket Council experimented with a decision referral system whereby umpires could refer dubious decisions like disputed catches or leg-before-wicket decisions. The results of this have shown that in critical cases, the footage used to examine decisions sometimes provides inconclusive evidence.

Cricket purists advanced the notion that increased technology use would make the game of cricket more protracted. This seems to be a moot point, since minutes are wasted replaying a boundary call that would be a matter of a couple runs. The technology advocates suggests that it is better to spend this time determining if a batsman is out or not out. If purists are thinking about the game-length, then they’ll address the problem with over-rates.

Purists argue that the human element is and should remain an integral aspect of the game. They opine that everyone makes mistakes and that cricket is a microcosm of life. Therefore, unfair decisions give teams the chance to demonstrate character.

The counter-argument is that viewers and supporters don’t want to see a microcosm of life. They want to see a match-up of skills, not umpiring decisions that adversely affect a team’s fortunes. For the less-passionate fans, it seems a pyrrhic victory if obtained by a glaring umpiring error.

The series that the West Indies won against Pakistan in the year 2000 is a good example. The West Indians were nine wickets down and about to lose the series. Then not one, but two umpiring errors ensured that they won the series based on one undeserved win. As a West Indian supporter and the victory certainly felt hollow to me.

Undeniably, the role of the umpire will be affected by the increase of technology. The nature of that change will be subject to debate. There is the view that the umpire’s role and authority will be undermined by increased use of technology. However, this is yet another moot point, since umpires are made to look foolish (via replays) each time they make an error. This is exacerbated when the cameras focus on them for a few seconds after the commentators denounce the decision as “atrocious” or “a shocker”.

The entire technology debate is useless. What the ICC should forbid is the constant replays that place too much emphasis on umpiring errors. The fact is that umpires make few errors, but TV coverage and the way the human mind works makes them appear as buffoons who can’t see very well.

The television viewers are privy to the analysis provided by “Hawkeye” or “Hot Spot” and the benefit of several replays. The ICC must decide to either continue to allow the over-examination of umpiring decisions or discontinue it. If decisions are going to be scrutinized, then those making it should have the same tools. If this is not the case, the decision should not be scrutinized. After all, many viewers or supporters wait until they see a replay before their emotions go one way or the other.

The law of cricket states that if the umpire is unsure whether a batsman is out, he should give the batsman the benefit of the doubt. The modern umpire is not too interested in giving the benefit of the doubt, because there is a lot of pressure to get the decision correct each time. The ICC needs to make a decision to give umpires some more toys, or take them away from the television and stadium coverage. The game of cricket will be better off for it either way.

Darrell Victor is a freelance writer and cricket enthusiast from the West Indies. For articles on West Indies cricket, read:

Reasons for the decline of West Indies cricket: http://www.helium.com/items/1264594-west-indies-cricket

A West Indian Perspective on Test cricket: http://www.helium.com/items/1258936-test-cricket

A key attribute of being an already is being able to consistently and significantly contribute with both the bat and ball. For a batsman, scoring over 100 runs in a match is considered well beyond average. For bowlers, taking more than 10 wickets in a match is exceptional. Fancy a player who scores over 100 runs and takes over 10 wickets in the same match. That must be some feat! Such a feat is it, that (at the time of writing) only three players have done this in Test cricket’s history – Australia’s Alan Davidson, England’s Ian Botham and Pakistan’s Imran Khan.

1. Alan Davidson – 124 runs and 11 wickets in December 1960

Against the West Indies in Brisbane, the left-arm fast bowler from New South Wales scored 44 and 80 runs in the first and second innings respectively. The second innings half-century was also the allrounder’s highest score in Tests. Davidson scalped two five-wicket hauls – 5/135 and 6/87 – to leave the Aussies 233 runs to win. Although the NSW left-handed batsman did his best to help Australia win, the match ended in a thrilling tie – the first-ever tie in Test history.

2. Ian Botham – 114 runs and 13 wickets in February 1980

Ian Botham was England’s greatest allrounder in his era and perhaps of all time. In the one-off Test against India at Bombay (now Mumbai), the England allrounder scored a test century and took two five-wicket hauls (6/58 and 7/48) to help England to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over the Indians. What was amazing was that Botham’s 114 came in an innings total of 296, where no other batsman passed 43. His bowling effort also dominated the wickets column, with John Lever being the next best bowler with only four wickets in the match.

3. Imran Khan – 117 runs and 11 wickets in January 1983

India – Pakistan Test matches were usually hotly contested. Pakistan legend, Imran Khan, saved his best all-round performance for his sub-continental neighbours at Faisalabad in 1983. He opened the bowling, to take 6/98 as India was bowled out for 372 runs in the first innings. Although that seemed to be a competitive score, India were forced to toil in the field as four Pakistan batsmen scored centuries – including Imran’s aggressive 117 off 121 balls.

When India batted again, the greatest Pakistani allrounder reverted to the role of innings destroyer, as he took 5/82 to leave Pakistan a straightforward target of 7 runs to win the match. Pakistan won by 10 wickets, due to the amazing all-round performance of the Imran Khan – the inspirational captain and world-beater.

And now you can read brief profiles of some of the best spinners and fast bowlers that the game of cricket has ever seen:

The best spin bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1516046-best-spin-bowlers-in-cricket

The top 5 fast bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1518569-top-fast-bowlers-in-cricket-history

A key attribute of being an already is being able to consistently and significantly contribute with both the bat and ball. For a batsman, scoring over 100 runs in a match is considered well beyond average. For bowlers, taking more than 10 wickets in a match is exceptional. Fancy a player who scores over 100 runs and takes over 10 wickets in the same match. That must be some feat! Such a feat is it, that (at the time of writing) only three players have done this in Test cricket’s history – Australia’s Alan Davidson, England’s Ian Botham and Pakistan’s Imran Khan.

1. Alan Davidson – 124 runs and 11 wickets in December 1960

Against the West Indies in Brisbane, the left-arm fast bowler from New South Wales scored 44 and 80 runs in the first and second innings respectively. The second innings half-century was also the allrounder’s highest score in Tests. Davidson scalped two five-wicket hauls – 5/135 and 6/87 – to leave the Aussies 233 runs to win. Although the NSW left-handed batsman did his best to help Australia win, the match ended in a thrilling tie – the first-ever tie in Test history.

2. Ian Botham – 114 runs and 13 wickets in February 1980

Ian Botham was England’s greatest allrounder in his era and perhaps of all time. In the one-off Test against India at Bombay (now Mumbai), the England allrounder scored a test century and took two five-wicket hauls (6/58 and 7/48) to help England to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over the Indians. What was amazing was that Botham’s 114 came in an innings total of 296, where no other batsman passed 43. His bowling effort also dominated the wickets column, with John Lever being the next best bowler with only four wickets in the match.

3. Imran Khan – 117 runs and 11 wickets in January 1983

India – Pakistan Test matches were usually hotly contested. Pakistan legend, Imran Khan, saved his best all-round performance for his sub-continental neighbours at Faisalabad in 1983. He opened the bowling, to take 6/98 as India was bowled out for 372 runs in the first innings. Although that seemed to be a competitive score, India were forced to toil in the field as four Pakistan batsmen scored centuries – including Imran’s aggressive 117 off 121 balls.

When India batted again, the greatest Pakistani allrounder reverted to the role of innings destroyer, as he took 5/82 to leave Pakistan a straightforward target of 7 runs to win the match. Pakistan won by 10 wickets, due to the amazing all-round performance of the Imran Khan – the inspirational captain and world-beater.

And now you can read brief profiles of some of the best spinners and fast bowlers that the game of cricket has ever seen:

The best spin bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1516046-best-spin-bowlers-in-cricket

The top 5 fast bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1518569-top-fast-bowlers-in-cricket-history

Pace bowling’ also called ‘Fast bowling’ is one of the two types of bowling in cricket. The aim of fast bowling is to bowl at such a speed, such that the ball bounces off the pitch in a bizarre, erratic trend leaving the batsman dazed to hit the ball neatly. Some noted and best fast bowlers are Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Dale William Steyn.

Shoaib Akhtar, a Pakistani right arm fast bowler, has set a world record by achieving a 161.3 km/hr bowling speed, in cricket. He bowls sharp bouncers and fast yorkers and so is claimed as the legend of Pakistan cricket. Unfortunately backed by a spate of bans and controversies, this best fast bowler had made a come back in the first Indian Premier League and had played for the Kolkata Knight Riders team. Currently he is released from the IPL contract due to an injury; reports say that the officials of the Kolkata Knight Riders are in talks with him for his come back to IPL.

Another cricketer in the fast bowling series is Australia’s Brett Lee. Brett Lee’s fast bowling skills were recognized as soon as he entered the Australian Test team. His fastest delivery till date is 160.8 km/ hr at Napier against the New Zealand’s batsman Craig Cumming in 2005. In and out of the cricket scene due to injuries, this speedster was a leading performer in the 2003 World Cup. Lee retired from Test cricket to concentrate more on the ODI’s and T20’s.

Dale William Steyn, a South African cricketer, plays Test cricket and ODI’s for South Africa. A right arm fast bowler, he bowls at a speed between 140-150 km/hr. His fastest bowling speed was 154.1km/hr at the IPL 2010. Usually this best fast bowler is chosen to bowl with a new ball; he plays as a tail ender while batting for his side.

For more information please visit: http://cricketfreaks.contentcreatorz.com.

Are you a cricket fan looking interesting posts about cricket? http://cricketfreaks.contentcreatorz.com is the right place for you!

At any given time, there are nine fielding positions while the game of cricket is in full swing. The other two players of the team, namely the bowler and the wicket keeper, concentrate on their respective duties from their respective positions. The captain, usually in co-ordination and consultation with the bowler and the other team mates, keeps shuffling the positions of the nine players (including his position) among the different positions all the time, except when the bowler is in action (that is bowling).

There are no definite fielding positions and a fielder can occupy any other place too. The positions are generally named in accordance with a system of the polar co-ordinates. A good fielding can save some 30 odd runs and hence fielding has assumed a more professional status. The fielding positions matter more in One Day International matches where run saving is important. Some of the common angle specific positions on the field are leg, mid wicket, cover, square, forward, and backward positions. Some of the distance specific positions are the long, short, deep, and silly ones.

The areas to the left and to the right of a right handed batsman are called leg side (on side and off side respectively). In case the batsman is left handed, then it is vice versa. Certain fielding tactics will be adopted by the captain depending upon a number of variables and the approach could be defensive or attacking tactics. A good captain will ensure that the batsmen’s strokes do not reach the boundary side for four or more runs.

For more information please visit: http://cricketfreaks.contentcreatorz.com.

Good cricket captaincy is an art by itself. The best cricket captain is declared thus if he lets his players play their real game and never allows the sport to drift into boredom. He dons several roles like a selector, motivator, coach, tactician, player and a rudder, all rolled into one single package. He understands his team mates in and out and allows each player to play his defined role.

The cricketing world has witnessed many great skippers and the 3 best cricket captains today can be:

M.S. Dhoni: He is truly a blessing to Indian cricket. A destructive batsman himself, this Indian skipper is replete with bountiful positive energy and positive body language which he uses very well on the pitch. A good wicket keeper too, recently he led India to beat the world champions Australia and has regained the number one ODI batting position for him too. A consistent captain, he is sure to take India to greater heights in the near future.

Ricky Ponting: skipper of the Australian test cricket team, has captained ruthlessly during his tenure, clinching two World Cups to his side and many more major ICC trophies. A live wire skipper on the ground, he is also considered as the most prolific run scorer in test cricket.

Kumara Sangakkara: skipper of the Srilankan team is considered as a hot property in Test cricket at the moment. A consistent batsman in the International Cricket scene, he has won ample admiration for the clever use of his sledging in cricket and has the potential to be one of the most distinguished and best cricket captains among all the Srilankan skippers.

For more information please visit: http://cricketfreaks.contentcreatorz.com.

The laws of cricket are meant to address possible difficulties that might be faced in mounting a competitive and entertaining cricket match. One of the popular laments of latter-day cricket captains is regarding the paucity of genuine all-rounders. Not so long ago, the likes of Botham and Kapil Dev strode the cricket field, batting, bowling and fielding with equal ease and felicity. For instance, India’s World Cup win in 1983 was built on the backs of men who could everything their captain demanded of them, men answering to names such as Mohinder Amarnath, Roger Binny and Madan Lal. But those days are a distant memory, now.

For a brief period in 2005, the ICC thought it had a solution to the problem. It introduced, in ODIs, the Super Sub rule, devised specifically to encourage all-rounders. Under the rule, the captains at the toss would name 12 players, including a super substitute, who could be introduced at any time into the game, while ensuring that no more than 11 players represented the team at a given moment. The super sub was allowed to bat, bowl and keep wickets, at the discretion of his captain. Also, once the substitution was made, it was permanent. The replaced player could not come back.

Captains were quick to try and exploit the rule, in a way the ICC had not considered, while devising it. For instance, if it was a bowler friendly wicket, a captain hoping to bowl first would name an extra specialist bowler in the team, to be replaced by a specialist batsman as a super substitute, when the team batted. But there was a slight hitch that prevented captains from benefiting. They had to name the substitute before the toss. This meant that any advantage of having a specialist batsman or bowler as super substitute depended on winning the toss, and electing to bat or bowl according to the team’s choice of a batsman or bowler as the super sub.

This often resulted in the super sub not taking any further part in a match, if the captain lost the toss. Far from helping to produce all-rounders, the ostensible reason for the law, the super sub rule soon became a farcical device, and the ICC thought it best to consign the rule to the dustbin of cricket history.

For the latest cricket gossip and news you will not find anywhere else on the Internet, including everything else you want to know about cricket including the super-sub rule, click http://www.cricinfosite.com

Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger on the game. His new blog on sports is fast becoming popular, backed as it is by comprehensive knowledge and research.

The Style of IPL
To begin off, the IPL is now firmly established on both the Indian and the world cricket scenario. The entire procedure including auctions, glamour, filmstars, hype and media fervor adds to the excitement and charm and it feels like watching cricket in a bullfight arena.

The Indian Premiere League is a decidedly different experience than the kind of cricket we used to see in our childhood, with the lone batsman playing ball after ball, refusing to give ground or leave the wicket. I remember how frustrated the entire crowd used to get at those snail pacers who were only after creating personal records at the cost of team victory.

One-Day Cricket Saves the Day but Still Insufficient for Today’s Pace
It of-course started with Australian millionaire Kerry Packer’s concept of bringing cricket to the arena of professional sports from the arena of amateurs. However, Kerry Packer’s initial proposals met with contempt from those opposed to change, people who did not ignore reality found a middle-way and One Day Cricket was born. It became an instant hit. The frenzy and popularity made it clear to sports organizers that sports lovers and cricket fans loved it. One-Day Cricket, being of limited duration brought all the energy and capital together in a short and brilliant spurt. It opened the new age of cricket. The T20 came as a logical step to take cricket into the fully professional squad.

IPL Is the Best Bet to Save Indian Cricket
I think the Indian Premiere League is an excellent concept because professional management, big industry investment and involvement, and high fees of players negate the possibilities of match fixing. Simple cricket fans like us can watch honest games, and relax knowing market dynamics is creating the best possible fun combination on the cricket fields.

The Actual Official Website and Online Store of IPL
However, it remains that the IPL having gained fame will become the target of those trying to make a quick buck. I have seen several websites on the Internet, which seem to be entirely dedicated to the Indian Premiere League, and also trying to sell dubious merchandise for cricket fans at unreasonable prices.

If we feel that IPL is good for Indian Cricket, and the Indian Premiere League 2010 needs our support to pull through the blames of discrimination cast upon it, it is also our duty to avoid spurious businesses that try to cash in on the popularity of IPL.

IPL Merchandise – Infibeam.com is an exciting new online destination and community that focuses on selling latest Mobiles, Books, Cameras, Apparels, Jewellery, Beauty Products and Best Books Online in India at guaranteed lowest price.

A batsman is said to be dismissed when he is declared ‘out’. At this juncture, the dismissed batsman should discontinue his batting and leave the field and the fielding side is declared to have captured his wicket. In cricket, there are many ways by which a batsman is declared as dismissed – by common dismissals or the unusual ones.

Many a time, if the dismissal of the batsman is clear, the batsman will opt to leave the field himself. Sometimes the bowler or members of the fielding side will make an appeal of dismissal to the umpire by shouting “Howzat” (which means “How is it?”). Regarding the situation, the umpire will show his reaction by raising his forefinger and shouting “Out” when he agrees or shaking his head, and saying “Not” when he disagrees. Whenever the umpire declares the batsman as out, he has to leave the field for the innings and his batting ceases. He will be replaced by the next batsman.

The different common ways by which a batsman is dismissed as ‘out’ are: ‘caught’, ‘leg before wicket’ (LBW), ‘bowled’, ’stumped’ and ‘run out’. The uncommon ways are: ‘timed out’, ‘hit wicket’, ‘obstructed the field’, ‘handled the ball’ or ‘hit the ball twice’.

Sometime a batsman can leave the field without being dismissed and that’s when he is injured or ill. He is then referred as ‘retired hurt’, or ‘retired ill’ and he may be replaced by the next batsman. The injured or ill batsman can resume his innings later as he was not declared ‘dismissed’ or ‘out’.

For more information please visit: http://cricketfreaks.contentcreatorz.com.