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" How to become a better cricketer "
by Michael Bourne
Introduction:
In this booklet you will find all sorts of advice and valuable tips
that are not normally covered in books on cricket coaching. If you
try your best to follow the advice that is given, you will certainly
become a better cricketer no matter how good you are now as a batter
or a bowler or a fielder.
The main aim is to improve your own performance. It is not so much
about winning games. But, of course, if you can perform better then
you will automatically increase the chances of success for both
you and your team.
The more cricket you play, the more you will come to understand
that there is far more to the game than just knowing how to play
certain strokes or bowl a certain kind of ball. So, in this booklet
you will find many other essential points that you will need to
know when you are ready to move on to cricket at older levels.
Words like ALWAYS, NEVER and DO NOT often appear on the following
pages. Usually, these words are followed by a short explanation
that give a reason. If no explanation is given, then think about
the situation and try to work out the reasons yourself. It is quite
true that cricket is a thinking game. It is also a game where you
have to make your own decisions and, very often, in a split second.
When you are batting, you are out there on your own. There is no
coach standing nearby to tell you what stroke to play when the ball
comes towards you. So you have to get into the habit of thinking
for yourself and then trying to make the right decision.
When you come across certain pieces of advice that are printed in
CAPITAL LETTERS this means that they are very important - and are
perfectly true, as well.
First of all, here is some general advice.
THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE MORE YOU WILL ENJOY PLAYING CRICKET. There
is a lot to learn and you will not learn everything all at once.
In fact, YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING WHEN PLAYING CRICKET. So try to
BE PATIENT.
Whether you read up in a coaching book, or better still, you are
taught by a qualified coach, always learn as much as you can. When
you are playing in a game, try to carry out correctly the things
you have learned even though you may not always be successful.
Learn especially all the basic skills. Do not get into any bad habits.
Once you get a bad habit it is very difficult to get rid of at a
later stage. (Junior cricketers like to imitate their cricketing
idols. But, be warned, even professional players have bad habits.)
ALL JUNIOR CRICKET IS A LEARNING PROCESS. So do not worry if you
do something wrong in a game. Learn from any mistakes you make and
try to put them right in practice sessions so that there is less
chance of you repeating them in your next game.
Watch good players, even those of your own age, whichever side they
are on, so that you can learn from them also. Never be put off by
players on the other side who are much bigger than you. It is ability
and knowing how to play the game properly that count in the end,
not size and strength.
The more experience you get in games, the more you will improve.
Once you are able to do something right a few times, you will remember
this for the next time and your confidence will grow. But, when
you have had a really good game, do not get over-confident or boastful:
things might go horribly wrong in the next match.
One last point. There will come a time, (perhaps even more than
one), when everything goes wrong for you in a game. You might even
be close to tears after a match and go home with thoughts of packing
up the game altogether. But, do not give up. There is not a single
cricketer who has not gone through periods of disappointment at
some time during his or her playing career.
SAFETY
NEVER FORGET THAT CRICKET IS A DANGEROUS GAME. The ball is hard.
That is why you see batters and wicketkeepers wearing, at least,
pads and gloves. The last thing that anyone wants is for you to
get injured. You won't like it; nor will your parents. Therefore,
you must take proper safety precautions. If you do so, you will
cut down the chances of getting hurt, of hurting anyone else and
of damaging property.
1. Never wear anything made of metal or other hard material when
you are playing in a match or just practising. This means do not
wear watches, necklaces, rings of any kind.
2. Do not carry in any of your pockets any hard objects like money
and keys that may cause you some kind of injury.
3. Keep your fingernails cut short. There will then be less chance
of an injury when catching or fielding a ball.
4. Always wear a protector, which is more usually known as a box,
when batting or when keeping wicket. A padded one is best. Wear
a proper athletic support, or swimming trunks or two pairs of briefs
between which you can place the box. Do not wear boxer shorts.
5. In practice sessions or at anytime when there are other people
nearby, do not wave a bat around in the air. Never hit the ball
in the air when there are other groups practising close by. Should
a ball accidentally be hit into the air towards someone who has
no idea that the ball coming, immediately shout out, "HEADS!".
If you ever hear that call, then cover your head with your arms
and duck down.
6. Never practise or knock-up in an area where there are windows,
parked cars or other people around.
7. Never throw or hit a ball towards someone unless that person
knows it is going to come his or her way and is ready to receive
it. Do not throw the ball in the air to someone, “out of the
sun”.
8. It is now standard practice for junior cricketers under the age
of 18 to wear a helmet when batting or when “standing-up”
as wicketkeeper. This is comes as a result of guidance issued by
the ECB in 1999. It is not compulsory but your club or junior league
may have introduced a rule to make it compulsory. Your team manager
will be able to advise you about wearing helmets.
Your manager or coach will also be able to tell you during practice
sessions a lot more about safety - particularly about the correct
things to do when you are practising in nets so that accidents are
less likely to happen.
CARE OF THE GROUND AND PROPERTY
In practice sessions on a cricket field, never go on to the playing
square. If you want to get to the other side of the square, walk
all the way around it. If a stray ball goes on the square, walk
on and off the square carefully when getting it back. In a match,
sometimes you will be positioned to field on the square, but avoid
standing on any seeded areas or on a pitch that has obviously been
prepared for a senior match.
Whether in a practice session or in a game, if you happen to kick
up a piece of turf anywhere on the ground, replace it as soon as
you can.
On a cricket field, only cricket should be played. Do not play any
other games on it.
Never spit on a cricket field. Use a handkerchief. Yes - a handkerchief
- the clean one that you should have in your pocket. Never drop
chewing gum or litter of any sort on to a cricket field. If you
find any litter or, for example, a stone or a boot stud, pick it
up and take it off the field.
Before entering a clubhouse or tea room, take off any footwear that
has studs. Most clubs have notices that remind you to do this. If
you are wearing any other type of footwear make sure you wipe off
any grass or mud before you go into a clubhouse or a dressing room.
There is more about looking after a club's facilities in the later
section about players’ duties.
LOOKING LIKE A CRICKETER
The more you look like a cricketer, the better you will feel.
If everyone else is properly dressed and you are not, you may be
letting the team down. (You would not feel very happy if, for example,
you had to turn out for a game dressed in jeans, black boots and
rugby shirt.) If you are properly dressed you will also gain the
respect of other players. Players in the other team might think
that you are much better than you really are! But all this does
not mean that you have to use an expensive bat or display the latest
design in batting gloves.
So, if you can, always wear proper cricket clothing and footwear.
Of course, if you have just started playing cricket you may not
have been able to get all the necessary clothing; you or your parents
may not even be able to afford it all at first. In this case, if
you are short of the correct clothing, wear the next best thing,
for example, plain trousers and a white or very light coloured,
plain shirt and/or sweater. Trainers will do until you get proper
cricket boots, but do avoid black or coloured trainers.
No one should ever wear T-shirts with slogans or a tracksuit top
or bottom. Nor should any player wear headgear that has nothing
to do with cricket, e.g. baseball caps. If you wear a cricket cap,
wear it properly and not back-to- front. There should be no need
to wear sunglasses when a cricket cap can do the job. Don't put
on sun block cream unless there is a very good reason for doing
so.
When playing for your club, do not wear clothing that displays badges
of other clubs, leagues or representative sides that you may have
played in at some time.
Make sure that your whites and footwear are clean for every match.
If you have your own pads, keep them clean as well.
Always keep your shirt tucked into your trousers. If you have long
shirt sleeves keep them buttoned at the wrist or properly rolled
up. Never have a shirtsleeve flapping when you are bowling.
PREPARATION
On every piece of cricket clothing and equipment that you have,
you should mark it with, at least, your name and telephone number.
Before you set off from home for a match, doubly check everything
into your bag. The same applies after a match before you leave a
dressing room - especially an away dressing room.
If ground conditions are wet or damp, always wear studded boots
if you have them. (Note: boots with studs may not be allowed when
playing on some non-turf or artificial pitches.)
When you get home from a game of cricket, even if your clothing
and equipment do not need cleaning, take all of it out of your bag
so that it can air. Do not leave it in your bag until the next match.
Clean your boots and anything else that needs wiping over. Put out
any dirty clothing for washing. Trousers with grass and mud stains
may need a good soaking before being washed.
If, for some reason, you cannot play in a game, get a message to
your manager at once. Also, let him know in good time if you are
not available for selection for future matches. Give him details
of, for example, holiday dates.
LOOKING LIKE A TEAM
GAMES CAN BE WON OFF THE FIELD AS WELL AS ON IT.
When travelling to an away ground, players should try to arrive
altogether at the same time and walk together to their changing
room looking like a well-organised team. If the home team have never
seen you before they will be looking at you closely when you arrive,
and weighing you up. If you look good off the field, they are likely
to think that you are just as good on the field.
When you get into the changing room, get changed quickly, without
too much noise, and come out of the dressing room altogether for
warm up exercises and a pre-match knock-up. Your manger might take
you to various points on the field to point our various things like
slopes on the pitch, wet patches of ground, no sightscreen at one
end.
Return to your dressing room a few moments before going out to field
- your manager or captain will want to have a word with you all
- then come out on to the field altogether, with the captain leading
and looking like a team.
Even before the game starts, "looking good" can give you
an advantage that may be worth a couple of wickets or a dozen runs.
THE PEOPLE THAT HELP YOU
When you play cricket as a junior do not forget that there are many
people much older than yourself who make it possible for you to
have games of cricket.
Some of these adults, like your manager or coach, you will know
quite well. Your own parents may be people who help out with the
scoring or transport to away matches.
You may even know the groundsman who prepares the pitches that you
play on. He, above anyone else, should be looked upon as the MOST
IMPORTANT PERSON AT A CRICKET CLUB.
There are, also, some adults who are just as busy as others but
you may never get to know them. These are the people who are members
of club cricket committees and junior league committees who work
hard all the year round to organise games of cricket for your benefit.
Whenever you get the chance, say "thank you" to these
people for what they do for you. At one time many of them would
have been junior cricketers themselves. In years to come, when you
are an adult, perhaps you, too, will become a coach, a manager or
a cricket organiser who will be just as keen to help new generations
of young cricketers to play the game.
When there is a match it is usually the captain's job on behalf
of the team to thank people like the umpires. But there is no harm
in you adding your own thanks. And don't forget to thank those people
who provide you with drinks and refreshments, whether you are playing
at home or away.
If people see that you appreciate what is being done for you, the
more they will help you.
Overall, THE MORE YOU PUT INTO THE GAME IN EVERY WAY, THE MORE YOU
WILL GET OUT OF IT.
DUTIES OF THE CAPTAIN
All players have duties to perform and most of these have to be
carried out either before or after a game. A captain has more duties
than anyone else. Some are quite special and need to be carried
out in a mature manner. If you ever become a captain you will certainly
have a lot to think about other than just playing the game.
For example, before and after a game, the captain should help the
team manager to share out jobs to other team members. He should
not need to do any of these jobs himself, but he should check that
they have all been done properly. In particular, before leaving
a dressing room, he should check to see that all the kit has been
properly returned to the kitbag and that no equipment or clothing
has been left behind. At a junior level, your team manager should
be on hand to give help with anything you are not too sure about.
BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME:-
As soon as you have changed, be ready introduce yourself to the
captain of the opposing side. The home captain supplies the coin
for the toss which usually, but not always, takes place in the middle
of the pitch. The home captain tosses the coin, the visiting captain
calls. Do not forget to shake hands at some point before leaving
the field.
Get your side out on to the field for a pre-match warm-up and some
basic exercises. (You should also go through some basic exercises
after an interval if your side is fielding second.)
When fielding, it is your job to lead your team out of the dressing
room on to the field. Wait until both umpires have gone out on to
the field before taking your team out.
DURING THE GAME:-
Lead the applause for outgoing batters. (In some areas it is a custom
to applaud incoming batters, as well.)
Give words of encouragement to your team when fielding, but avoid
excessive clapping and calling.
Let a new bowler know that he is going to bowl at least one over
beforehand. When the new bowler comes on to bowl stand with him
near the wicket to set the field.
Be prepared to move weaker fielders from key positions and into
an area where the ball is less likely to go. Move your strongest
fielders into the key positions.
Whilst your side is batting and you are not at the crease, yourself,
sit with the rest of your team. Give words of comfort to batters
who have not done so well, congratulate those who have. Give advice
and encouragement to those who are yet to bat.
AFTER THE GAME:-
At the end of an innings when you have been fielding, take possession
of the ball, give it to one of the umpires and lead your team off
the field.
Allow the two batters of the other team to walk off the field first
and applaud them as they do.
Go up to both umpires and thank them for umpiring the game. Even
thank the scorers when you get the chance. Find out what the exact
score is of the first innings and make sure it is correctly displayed
on the scoreboard.
Share out and supervise the jobs to be done by other team members.
Check to see that the jobs have been done properly. Do not allow
a player to go until the job has been done. If the player has gone
then you complete any unfinished job.
DUTIES OF PLAYERS BEFORE AND AFTER A HOME GAME
Get to the ground early so that you can do your fair share of jobs
that need to be done.
If you have the task of setting out boundary markers, make sure
they are evenly spaced. All markers should be placed on the outer
edge of the white line. If they are the flag kind, they must be
pointing along the line.
If conditions are wet, get some sawdust and place a heap beyond
the point from which each bowler starts a run-up.
After a match, boundary markers will need to be brought in and the
scorebox locked up or scoreboard and numbers put away. Any chairs
and tables that have been taken outside will need to be returned
inside.
Two players should go out with a bucket and brush to sweep the pitch.
Usually it is necessary only to sweep all loose grass, mud or dust
off the ends of the pitch. This job will not be necessary if the
pitch is very wet.
Just two people should be needed a light roller if one is used.
But all of the team will be called upon to move a heavy roller,
in which case your manager or an adult should be present to help
supervise you.
When playing away, make sure that your dressing room is left tidy
and is clear of any litter. When playing at home, both dressing
rooms should be cleaned, swept and made ready for use by the teams,
(who may be seniors), playing in the next match. Make sure that
all windows are properly closed.
No team member should leave the ground until he has had the permission
of the manager.
BATTERS
Never use a bat that is either too heavy or too big for you. Use
the lightest possible bat. If you cannot hold a bat with your top
hand only in a high backlift for at least one minute without the
bat sagging, then that bat is too heavy to use. Do not let someone
else buy a bat for you unless you are able to see it and try it
out for size, weight and balance.
If you are a right-handed batter, always hold the bat in your left
hand when you are not in action. This will help to strengthen the
wrist and forearm. Vice versa for a left-handed batter.
When knocking-up before a game, always wear gloves. (You will also
need to wear a helmet according to club or league rules.)
Before going out to bat make sure that your pads are properly fastened
and are on the right legs. Do not forget to wear a box. When tying
a bootlace, cross the laces over THREE TIMES and pull tight before
tying a knot. If the sun is likely to be in your eyes whilst batting,
then wear a cricket cap.
The opening batters must wait until the umpires, followed by the
fielding side, have gone out on to the field, before they step out
together on to the field. At the end of the innings, the last two
batters should walk off together.
When taking a guard, hold your bat up vertically with two hands
on the batting handle and in the positions that you use for your
batting grip.
Always take a guard of centre stump. Much later on, if you ever
become a competent batter, you can take other guards.
After taking guard at the wicket, make a line with the bottom corner
of your bat, at a right angle to the crease. Do not bang the end
of the bat in the block hole and do not scratch out a mark with
your boot. If you do either of these they will not give you an accurate
indication of where the middle stump is.
Unless you are extremely good and experienced, do not, if you are
a right handed batter, for example, take up an open stance to a
bowler who bowls left arm over the wicket or a right arm round the
wicket bowler. If you do, you are giving the bowler a much better
sight of the wickets.
As soon as the ball leaves the bowler's hand, a batter has to make
three decisions, almost simultaneously. These are, i. what line
is the ball taking? ii. is the ball going to be short, on a length
or overpitched? iii. how fast is it coming towards him? Beginner
batters should concentrate most of all on the first one - the line
of the ball.
If you know for certain that you touched a ball with your bat, or
it came off your glove, and the ball is then caught, then give yourself
out and walk off the pitch.
Once the umpire has raised his finger to give you out for any reason,
walk off the pitch and off the field immediately. When you are out,
no matter for what reason, whether you have made 50 or 49 or 0,
or if, for example, you have been run out by the other batter, do
not walk off the field with any sign of being in a bad mood. If
you do, this could have a very bad effect on the batter who is still
in and on other members of the team waiting to come in. Never forget
that CRICKET IS A TEAM GAME.
Always run the first run very quickly even though you may think
at first that there is only one run to be had.
If, for example, you hit the ball in the air and you think that
a fielder running in will easily catch the ball or that it looks
as though you might be easily run out, do not stop running.
If you drop your bat whilst taking a run, do not stop to pick it
up. Carry on running to the crease and get your foot over the line.
Wait behind the creaseline until the ball has been returned to the
wicketkeeper or bowler, then go and pick your bat up.
In pairs cricket do not take any risks in by trying to score off
any of the last three balls of your innings. If you are out in any
way and lose eight runs as a result, you are very unlikely to make
up those runs in the deliveries, if any, that are left.
RUNNING BETWEEN WICKETS
For many reasons, running between wickets is one of the most difficult
parts of playing cricket. Here are a few of the more important points
that you will need to know and practise.
The non-striker should walk in with the bowler trailing the bat
on the ground. The bat is held in the hand which is the closer to
the bowler. Keep the bat grounded behind the creaseline until the
ball has been released, then continue on a few steps down the pitch
looking for the chance a run. This is known as "backing up".
When taking a run, always hold your bat firmly with a good grip
right at the end of the bat handle. Do not run on the pitch but
on the grassier part along the side. Run in a straight line which
is the quickest and shortest route. Keep on the same line when taking
further runs.
When at least two yards from the popping crease, bend the top half
your body forward. This will help you to thrust the bat forward
at a faster speed and get the bat across the line much more quickly.
Make sure that when you reach forward your bat is touching the ground
and keeps touching it until it is over the creaseline. When taking
a second run, WATCH the end of your bat go completely over the line
before turning to set off again.
***At all other times whilst taking a run, you should watch where
the ball is. Be prepared to change your bat to the other hand when
necessary. If the ball has been played wide, your bat should be
in the hand that is further away from the ball. If you do this you
will have a much easier view of the ball. Trying to look over your
shoulder at a ball when running will, amongst other things, cramp
you stride and reduce your speed.
Do not run on past the creaseline unnecessarily. There might be
a chance of a second run.
When calling for a run, use the word, "Yes". When deciding
against taking a run use the word, "No". Do not use any
other words but these two. Remember, "Go" sounds like
"No". When you have become quite experienced at calling
you may start to use the word, "Wait" before deciding
upon a run.
BOWLERS
Remember this very important point: BOWLERS DO NOT GET BATTERS;
BATTERS GET THEMSELVES OUT.
When a bowler comes on to bowl he has at least six things to do
before he starts on his run up.
Let the umpire know which side of the wicket you are bowling from
and with which arm, e.g. "right arm over". You only need
to do this once when you come on to bowl for the first time. You
need not tell the umpire when you come on for a second spell or
from a different end. But you must let him know if you change to,
for example, "right arm round".
However, whilst you are still learning, you should always bowl over
the wicket. When you are experienced and good enough in later years,
you can experiment with bowling round the wicket. If a left-handed
batter comes to the wicket, do not change from right arm over the
wicket to right arm round. If you intend bowling at the wickets
and cannot see them clearly because of the left-handed batter's
stance, then use his pads as a target at which to bowl. If you bowl
from close to the wickets and straight, the ball will move off the
pitch and on a line towards the off-stump.
The umpire does not have to hold any clothing if he does not want
to. If you want the umpire to hold, for example, your sweater, say
to the umpire, "Please, would you hold my sweater?"...
and say thank you when you take it back again.
Together with the captain, stand at the wickets at the bowling end
and set your field.
Before bowling a player should go through some warm up exercises
first. Your coach should have shown you what exercises to do for
bowling.
A bowler should know exactly how long his run-up should be. The
run-up should be PACED out in even paces starting from the inside
of the popping crease.
A bowler must never scratch out a line with his boot on the grass
surface to mark the start of his run-up. Always use a proper bowler's
marker. The umpire should be able to give you one.
Before a bowler starts his run-up for each delivery, he should have
a quick look round to see if both umpires and the batter on strike
are ready and that all of the fielders are alert and in their correct
positions.
By the laws of the game, only the two opening bowlers are allowed
to have a practice run-up at the start of their first over.
Do not have an excessively long run-up and always try to keep your
run up straight. Slow bowlers who may have a slanting run-up must
remember to keep their backfoot inside the return crease in order
to avoid a no ball.
If you are a seam bowler and because of wet conditions the ball
is slippery, hold the ball across the seam for a better grip.
A bowler should always remember that as soon as he has bowled a
ball he becomes a fielder and should expect the ball to come to
him. This is particularly important in eight-a-side games. A lot
of bowlers miss chances of a caught-and-bowled.
Make field changes where necessary, e.g. if a batter is playing
or trying to play a ball into an area where there is no fielder
or if he looks as though he might hit the ball in the air in a certain
direction. A change in the field positions may well be needed for
different batter.
You should bowl from as close to the wickets as possible. But, once
you become more experienced, you can experiment with variations
in your delivery point in order to attempt something different to
get batter out. Try bowling an occasional ball from a point wider
of the wickets. Or, start your run up half a yard further back,
so as to bowl with your front foot landing well behind the popping
crease but without changing your normal method of delivery.
WICKETKEEPERS
For safety, stand well back at first on a pitch that you are not
used to.
Make sure that you are standing in a position so that you can see
the bowler run in and so that you are able to watch the ball all
the way from the time that it leaves the bowler's hand.
Whenever you can, first make sure that the ball is "dead".
For the ball to be "dead", it must be taken and held in
you gloves securely. If the ball hits the batter's pads and rolls
away a few yards, don't stand still appealing for a possible LBW.
Run to get the ball. The same applies if the ball hits the wickets
when an attempt has been made to run out a batter who has made his
ground. The wicketkeeper or another fielder near the wickets should
not stand around appealing for a possible run-out if the ball is
close-by. First get the ball. If the ball has gone some distance
away and another fielder has gone to collect it, then you may have
time to repair the wicket before the ball is thrown back.
"Repairing the wicket" means replacing the bails after
they have been knocked off by the ball, for example, after a throw-in
in an attempt to run out a batter, or by the wicketkeeper. When
the bails have been knocked off, as above, and the batters set off
for another run on the overthrow, then repair the wicket. In actual
fact you only need to replace ONE bail to repair the wicket when
the ball is still in play, and to knock that bail off when the ball
is returned.
When running to field a ball that has gone past you in some way
or other, throw off a glove so that you have a hand free to pick
up the ball and to throw it in.
To help a fielder who is running to field a ball that has been hit
into the outfield, raise one arm so that the fielder can pick out
the target easily when making the return throw.
At the end of an over encourage your team to cross over quickly
by getting yourself quickly to the other end.
Remember that when attempting to take the bails off for a stumping
or a run-out, you may use any part of the arm below the shoulder
to remove a bail, provided that you have the ball in the hand of
that arm.
FIELDERS
Good fielding is very, very important. A good fielding side can
save twenty runs or more in an innings of twenty overs. So, make
sure that you learn all the correct methods of fielding a ball,
like the long barrier position. And if you cannot yet throw a ball
very far, then try to throw it, at least, in a straight line.
Learn, as soon as you can, all the main fielding positions that
there are, so that when you are asked to go and field in that position
you will know where it is. Any good cricket-coaching book will have
a diagram of these.
A ball is in play when the bowler has taken the first stride of
his run-up. From thereon, all fielders should keep absolutely quiet
until the ball has been delivered and the batter has either played
a stroke or let the ball go by.
If a batter happens to hit his wicket before the ball has arrived
to him, do not make any sort of appeal until the ball has been played
or has gone past the wickets.
When you are fielding, concentrate all the time. For each ball that
is bowled you should say to yourself, "THIS BALL IS COMING
TO ME", - meaning the batter is going to hit it towards you.
If the ball does not come to you, then say the same for the next
delivery, and the next, over after over until the end of the game.
If you are in a position to do so, watch where the ball pitches
when it is bowled and watch the movement the batter makes with his
bat and his feet. This will give you some idea of the sort of stroke
the batter will try to make and you can start to move in anticipation.
Whether catching or fielding a ball, watch it all the way until
it is safely into your hands.
Never hold on to a ball after fielding it. As soon as you have got
the ball securely in your hands, return it immediately to the wicket-keeper
or the bowler. BUT... when you take a catch, hold on to the ball
securely for a few seconds. Never throw it up in the air in triumph
or toss it straight away to another player.
When going for a catch, if you know that you did not take the ball
cleanly, (meaning that it touched the ground first), then indicate
to the umpire and the batter that you did not catch the ball.
If one of your fielders is in the process of taking a catch, do
not shout out anything until he has safely held the ball.
A very dangerous situation can arise when two or more fielders run
to catch a ball that has been hit high into the air. Making the
right decision so as to avoid players colliding and injuring themselves
is not at all easy, but try to remember these general rules:
i. The ball should be left to the fielder in whose direction the
ball is travelling.
ii. A fielder who is certain of taking the catch should call out,
"Mine", as early as possible. Any other fielder also running
towards the ball should then stop still.
iii. If he can do so, the captain should shout out the name of the
fielder who is to take the catch, especially if two fielders call
"Mine" more or less at the same time.
Nearly all cricketers have difficulty in catching a ball that comes
out of the sun. Practise catching a high ball by extending an arm
in the air and spreading out your hand as if to blot out the sun.
When the ball is a few feet away bring both hands together quickly
for the catch.
Even though the ball has not been hit your way, you must watch it
all the time that it is in play. That means, until it has been returned
securely into the hands of the wicketkeeper or the bowler. The ball
then becomes "dead".
Do not stand in front of the square leg umpire. He might not be
able to see anything if there is an appeal. Stand to one side either
in front or behind him.
When fielding on the boundary stand with your feet just inside the
line. Do not walk in with the bowler. Instead be on your toes ready
to move diagonally either to your left or right.
Always help the umpire when you can. For example, if a ball touches
or crosses the boundary line and the umpire has difficulty in seeing
it, then signal to the umpire. Remember umpires are there to help
players, too.
When a ball has been struck deep into the outfield and clear of
any fielders, then at least two fielders should chase after the
ball.
When backing up to cover a ball being returned to another fielder
at one wicket or the other, do not get too close to the wickets.
Stand at least ten yards back. The ball might be deflected.
Never scratch the field with your boot to mark the position where
you should be fielding. The groundsman will not be pleased. Instead,
use, for example, some grass-cuttings.
When returning the ball to the bowler, keep it in the air. This
is very important if the ground is wet. If the bowler is a long
way away, throw the ball to another fielder close by you so that
he can return it to the bowler.
If you field a ball and it is obvious that the batters are not intending
to take a run, do not throw the ball back to the bowler until the
bowler is clear of the non-striking batter and the umpire. They
might get hit!
Whether in a game or in practice, never throw a ball in the air
out of the sun. The player to whom you are throwing the ball will
not be able to see it. In a game, pass the ball back to the bowler
via other fielders who have not got the sun in their eyes - but
always keep it in the air. In practice sessions, with an old ball,
you may roll the ball along the ground.
Do not make appeals for lbw if you are fielding in a position from
where you have no chance of knowing what the line of the ball was
or where it pitched.
At the end of each over, cross over to your new position as quickly
as possible, but do not walk across or step on to the pitch. Fielders
should never congregate together on any part of the pitch at any
time.
When a wicket has fallen, congratulate any member of your team,
if you wish, but make sure that you are all back in your fielding
positions as soon as the next batter comes on to the field. The
bowler should be all ready and eager to bowl as soon as the batter
is ready.
Do not run up to a player who has taken a good catch or run someone
out and mob him by jumping on his back. Unnecessary injuries can
be caused.
When a batter is out, applaud him off the field. Even if he was
out first ball, give, at least, a few sympathetic handclaps.
Whether playing at home or away, at the end of a game when you are
on the fielding side, help to bring in wickets and bowlers' markers.
At the end of the innings, the fielding side should always allow
the two batters to go off the field and into the dressing room first.
BATTING SIDE
If you are the next batter to go in, you should sit quietly, on
your own, watching and concentrating on the game. Do not sit in
the shade. Sit in the sunlight so that your eyes get accustomed
to the light. Be ready to go on to the field as soon as a batter
is out.
If you are on the batting side, whether you waiting to go into bat
or have batted, you should watch the game and give proper support
to your own batters. If you are yet to bat, assess the bowlers carefully
and look for any weak fielders. Batters who are waiting to go into
bat should not practise anywhere off the field of play during the
their innings.
If your one of those players who need to go to the toilet regularly,
make sure that you go before going out to bat or to field.
Do not interfere with the scorers while the game is going on or
at the end of the game when they are completing the scorebook.
When a ball has been lost off the field, those on the batting side
who are not waiting to go in or who have batted, should go and look
for the ball.
Make sure that the kit in your kit bag is kept tidy and together
whilst it is in the dressing room. When you are fielding, your kit
should be packed away tidily in the bag.
Stay in your white cricket clothes until the match is completely
finished. You might be needed as a runner for an injured batter.
At the end of your innings, all nine players on the batting side
who are not batting should be ready to applaud in not only their
own batters but also the fielding side until they are off the field.
ALWAYS PLAY ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME, AND ALWAYS
PLAY FAIRLY.
There are many laws that cover the game of cricket. Very few cricketers
at any level know them all thoroughly.
As a junior cricketer you will not be expected to know all the laws,
but you should get to know the main ones and gradually get to know
more as you play more games. In particular, you should get to know
the law relating to leg before wicket decisions so that you do not
make unnecessary appeals.
Examples have already been given of times when you should help the
umpire. Umpires are there not only to make decisions and keep the
game running smoothly but also to help you whenever they can. So,
if you are in doubt about a certain law, don't be afraid to ask
the umpire to explain it for you. Although you may find that some
adults who umpire your games will know some of the laws either they
will probably do their best to help you.
Also, get to know the meaning of some of the words and terms used
in cricket. Here , for example,
GLOSSARY OF SOME OF THE TERMS USED IN THE TEXT
The “Pitch” is that part of the field between the two
sets of wickets. Try not to call a pitch “the wicket”.
The “Outfield” is the area of the ground usually well
away from the pitch, in the “Deep” is the furthest parts
of the field near to the boundary.
The “Square” is the middle part of the field where the
pitches are cut and played upon.
“Popping Crease” is the white line where the batter
takes a stance.
"Backing up" has two meanings. A non-striking batter backs
up when, as soon as the bowler has delivered the ball, he advances
two or three paces down the wicket in case there is the chance of
a run. A fielder backs up when, for example, a ball is being thrown
in to the keeper, and he runs behind to stop the ball should it
go past the keeper.
“Repairing the Wicket” means putting a bail back on
when both have been knocked off whilst attempting a run out or in
some other way whilst the ball is in play. Note: you need to replace
only one bail to repair a wicket.
A “Seam Bowler” is a bowler who holds the ball with
his first and middle fingers held along the seam or on either side
of the seam, with the seam pointing towards the wickets.
"Dead ball". A ball is classed as being dead - meaning,
not in play, when it is in the keeper's gloves or it has been returned
to the bowler and he has taken his first step back to his bowling
mark. But, for example, if a batter plays the ball to a fielder
When a bowler runs in, some fielders will start to get on the move
by “walking-in”. The fielder should remember to return
to his original position for the next ball. Close-in fielders, e.g.
a slip, does not walk in; nor does a fielder on the boundary.
A “Delivery” us a ball that is bowled to a batter.
"Knocking up" is a short batting practice before a game
starts.
"Crossing over" is carried out by those fielders at the
end of an over who need to get from a position on one side of the
field to a another position on the other.
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