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.

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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 bat – ball game that entertains the whole mass of people gathered and also the ones who watch it live in the televisions. Cricket a world class game captivates hearts and souls of many individuals across the world. People die to watch the game, literally starve to enter the gates of the ground in which the game is played. The fans all over the world know that cricket is definitely an entertaining game.

But in this game of cricket, can you guess who are the important players without bat and ball? They are the decision makers of the game who can make happiness or break it amongst teams. They ought to the good informers. They ought to be keen watchers of the game. They will have to be the wise decision makers irrespective of their favorites. They can earn good names if they are perfect. They are vulnerable to fans’ critical comments. Their decision is very crucial for the match. The guess can never be as simple as this one is. Of course, they are umpires. Umpires are the most important players in the field. They are different types and they are three in number.

An umpire in the game of cricket plays crucial role. This word ‘Umpire’ is from the Old French word ‘Nompere’ which means not equal, i.e. not a member of one of the teams. He is the person who has the authority to make decisions on the cricket field, according to the International Laws of Cricket under ICC. Apart from making decisions about wicket appeals, delivery laws, legalities involved, conduct and the manners in the game, the umpire has a track of all the records. It involves all the deliveries and announcements of the completion of an over.

To preside over the match, there are two on-field umpires present. The umpires are different in the positions and that makes the difference. There is one umpire who stands just behind the bowler’s wicket. He is the most important umpire and he decides and acts as a judiciary for most of them. There is another umpire standing with a side view from the batsman’s view. He is called the square leg umpire, the reason of the name being the filed position is called square leg. He helps the main umpire for many decisions that concerns his views. If he is able to see better, then he helps the umpire. The professional matches have the other option called third umpire. Third umpire has the technology to support him. If there is a condition for the umpires on field to make flaws or if there are any difficulties, there is a third umpire who has an access to television replays.

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’.

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The sweep and the reverse sweep are two batting shots which are not commonly used, especially the reverse sweep which is rarely used. However both shots can be used in certain batting situations and are an effective way to score runs and keep the score board ticking over.

There is a high element of risk with the sweep shot, so good judgement and excellent timing is essential. Avoid playing the sweep and reverse sweep early on in your innings especially to straight deliveries, as it is not a good idea to play it until you have your eye in and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing. As for example, if the ball stayed low it would be quite easy to misjudge and get out LBW or bowled which you definitely want to avoid, so be patient and play yourself in first.

The sweep and reverse sweep are both cross batted shots and should ideally be played to slow deliveries which are of a good length and not too full. To play the orthodox sweep shot, first wait for the ball to be released before making any movement – DON’T PREMEDITATE THE SHOT!

Once you have determined that the ball is there to play the sweep shot to, move your front foot as far down the wicket towards the pitch of the ball as you can. As you are moving forward bend both knees simultaneously so that you whole body is low down, let your back knee touch the ground to act as an extra base of support. Try to stay balanced and relaxed. Bring the bat down from the off side and across the ball towards the leg side and aim to hit it either in front of or behind square leg. You can roll your wrists over the ball as you hit to help keep it on the ground. Aim to have your arms fully extended when you contact the ball.

To play the reverse sweep, get in to the same position as for the orthodox sweep, however this time, bring you bat down and across from leg side towards the off side, so you are aiming to hit the ball through the gully area. This shot requires very good coordination and timing as you have to twist the bat round so that the bat face faces the off side at the point of contact without altering your grip.

Common problems:

-Premeditating the shot- deciding to play the shot before the bowler has bowled the ball. Wait until the ball is released from the bowlers hand before deciding to play the shot.

-Playing the sweep too early in the innings before getting your eye in. Wait until you are set and know how the pitch is playing and what the bowler is doing before attempting the shot.

-Trying to hit the ball too hard. Good timing and technique is better and more effective as you need to reduce the risk as much as possible.

-Playing the shot to deliveries which are either too full or too short, so good judgement of length is required.

Remember that the sweep and reverse sweep are quite hard shots to master and carry quite a lot of risk, so make sure that if you intend to use them, practice the shots in the nets and in training to get a feel for the shot and so you know when to play it; so that when you come to use them you are confident and skilled enough to do so.

If you are a cricketer and want to improve your bowling technique, especially with your pitching, then there are a few methods you can try.

The line is one important consideration as this dictates how much room the batsman has to play with. As a bowler, you should ideally focus on bowling towards the off stump and really concentrate on bowling in the ‘corridor of uncertainty’. This means that as long as you keep bowling in this region, you will always be putting pressure on the batsman to either play a shot or get caught, or if he misses then he will get bowled or caught behind. It is not easy to bowl a good line but this is something that can only developed with lots of practice.

The length at which you bowl is also very important. Ideally a ‘good length’ is a delivery one which does not allow the batsman enough time to hit the ball for a big shot. It should not be too close to the bat but not too far away either, this means that when the ball bounces it can either turn, or pitch in whichever direction it is required to.

As a bowler you can use the length to your advantage by bowling a various line of deliveries to confuse the batsman. You may want to start with a few short balls followed by a full length delivery and hopefully either get a leg before wicket or bowl him. This is another thing that requires a great deal of practice and can only be achieved once you have absolutely full control of the ball.

Remember, bowling isn’t just about speed. If you are a fast bowler then in order to achieve optimum speed, you need to perfect your line and length first. This can take several years before you can confidently bowl at a quick pace, start off slowly perfecting your run up and building up the power gradually. If you want to look at good line and length then your best bet is to look at Australian bowling legend Glen McGrath who has been one of the finest examples of line and length bowling. Furthermore, don’t forget to look at your run up and try to tweak this so you are confident of getting the right amount of pace and power in your follow through. Some of the world’s best bowlers do this by counting the number of strides so they don’t under or over stretch themselves.

Z Fazal