Cricket, a Game of Skill and FUN!

Did you know cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world? It can be played outdoors or indoors with some modifications to the rules and equipment. It is a great activity to develop a variety of skills such as teamwork, throwing, catching, and striking with long-handled implements.

There are certain elements that make cricket a unique sport and a fun unit to introduce into your PE programs. The first section will outline some basic information and terminology. In the last section, I will explain some lead-up drills and games to help build student success.

Cricket 101: Essential Terminology and Gameplay

Cricket is a team sport played with a bat and ball, between two teams of 11 players. The field has an oval shape with different parts, including an infield, an outfield, and a pitch. The edge or perimeter of the field is called the boundary. In the game, there are two teams: the batting team, which is trying to score runs, and the bowling team, which includes the fielders and is trying to get the batter out in a variety of ways. Bowlers bowl 6 balls, which is called an over.

Here is some important terminology in the game of cricket: The pitch is where the bowlers and batters (batsmen) play and where most of the “action” takes place.

The Goal of Cricket

The object of the game is to score more runs (points) than the opposing team. Runs are the scoring units in cricket. A match is divided into innings. During an innings, one team bats while the other team bowls and fields.

Skills Used in Cricket

Batting, catching/fielding, bowling, running, strategy

Roles on the Field

The batsmen: The batsmen are attempting to score runs with the bat. The batter can be bowled out, meaning the bowler has hit the bails off the stumps. The batsmen can also be stumped, which means the wicketkeeper has knocked the bails off the stumps before the batsmen can make it (run to the other end of the pitch).

Bowler: The bowler is throwing the ball in an attempt to get the batsman out. The bowler must release the ball with a straight arm (no bend in the elbow), and the ball must bounce once before the batsman attempts to hit it.

Wicket-Keeper: This position is similar to the catcher in baseball.

Fielders: Trying to catch the ball and get the batsmen out.

Breaking Down Innings in Cricket

Each inning is divided into “overs”—an “over” consists of six consecutive deliveries bowled by the same bowler. A bowler cannot bowl consecutive overs, so students must take turns in this role.

At each end of the pitch are three upright wooden poles called stumps, with two cross pieces known as bails on top of the stumps. The set of three stumps and two bails is collectively known as a wicket.

Scoring Runs in Cricket

One end of the pitch is designated the batting end where the batsman stands, and the other the bowling end, where the bowler stands to bowl. The two batsmen run from one side of the pitch to the other trying to score runs.

If the batter hits the ball over the outer circle, they score 6 runs, if they hit the ball within the inner circle, they score 4 runs.

Skill Development & Practice Tasks

Task 1 will help students with their catching skills

Equipment: 1 tennis ball or similar ball that can be caught.

Setup:

• Divide students up into small groups of three or four students.
• Pick one thrower to stand about 15-20 feet away from the other students, this student will throw the ball while the other students attempt to catch the ball.
• Each time the student catches the ball, they earn a point.
• Which student can earn 10 points first? Students take turns being the one to throw

Task 2 will help students with their bowling skills

Equipment: 1 tennis ball or similar ball that can be thrown. One 12 inch cone, 1 frisbee

Setup:

• This task can be completed in partners or small groups.
•  Set up a cone and place a frisbee on top to represent the “wicket”
•  The goal of the activity is to bowl the ball attempting to knock the frisbee off of the cone. If this occurs, the student gets a point.
• Take turns bowling the ball as well as taking turns replacing the frisbee back on the cone. Give the bowler 10 attempts.

Task 3 will help students with their batting skills

Equipment: 1 bat and at least 1-3 tennis sized balls that can be batted.

Setup:

• This task can be completed in  small groups of four to six students.
• In this task there will be one bowler, one batter, and the rest of the students will be fielders.
•  Set up two cones about twenty feet apart with a frisbee on top, this is the “wicket” The bowler releases the ball towards the batter while the batter attempts to bat the ball in the field.
• If the batter hits the ball successfully, they run between the cones/”wickets” trying to gain runs.
• If the fielding team catches the ball it is an out, if the fielding team throws the ball at the cone and knocks off the frisbee, it is an out. Give the batter ten attempts.

Task 4 will help students with their throwing skills (similar to task 2)

Equipment: 1 tennis ball or similar ball that can be thrown. One 12 inch cone, 1 frisbee

Setup:

•  This task can be completed in partners or small groups.
• Set up a cone and place a frisbee on top to represent the “wicket” The goal of the activity is to “throw” the ball attempting to knock the frisbee off of the cone.
•  If this occurs, the student gets a point. Give the thrower ten attempts.
• Take turns bowling the ball as well as taking turns replacing the frisbee back on the cone.

Key Considerations for a Successful Cricket Unit

• Use different equipment such as soft yarn balls, coated-foam balls, soft tennis balls so students can be successful
• If you have the space and equipment, have multiple practice tasks and games.
• Utilize visuals and pictures to reinforce directions and cues.
• If you have multiple batters, make sure they are batting in the same direction.
• When giving instructions, make sure the students know the what, why, and how of the task/game.
• The tasks can be set up in a station format so students will get a chance to rotate to all areas.
• The tasks can also be set up where all students are working on the same skill at the same time.
• As a teacher, adapt the games as necessary but don’t change the rules so much that the integrity of the game is lost.
• **Safety* As with any activity where an implement is being used, make sure students have enough space. 

In conclusion, cricket is a fun and unique sport to try in your P.E. classes. My students enjoyed learning about and playing the game and I’m sure your students will love it! Below are some additional resources to help get you started.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Resources:

Cricket Rules (2 min Video)

Cricket (Infographic)

USA Cricket

Gopher Cricket (Equipment)

Screenshots taken from https://www.youtube.com/@TheSchoolOfSports