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Cricket
Start with the basics, then explore the available rules, scoring, playing-area and equipment guides.
At a glance
- Format
- Cricket; formats vary
- Players
- 11 players per team
- Core equipment
- Bat, ball and wickets
- Scoring
- Runs; innings and overs depend on format
The reference collection
Find your starting point.
About Cricket
Cricket is played between two teams of 11 players. One team bats to score runs, while the other team bowls and fields to try and get players out.
The game is played on a large oval field with a rectangular pitch in the centre.
Why Cricket Is So Popular
Cricket is one of the most followed sports in the world.
Global Fan base
Cricket has billions of fans, especially in countries like India and Australia.
Different Formats
Matches can be short (T20), medium (ODI) or long (Test cricket), offering variety.
Strategic Gameplay
The game combines skill, patience and strategy.
Major Events
Tournaments like the Cricket World Cup attract huge audiences.
Strong Culture
Cricket has a rich history and strong traditions in many countries.
Cricket FAQ
What is cricket?
Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport where teams score runs and try to get opponents out.
How many players are on a team?
Each team has 11 players.
How do you score in cricket?
Players score runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets.
What is a wicket?
A wicket refers to the stumps or when a batter is dismissed.
How do you win a cricket match?
Winning depends on the format and its playing conditions. In a straightforward one-innings match, the chasing side wins by passing the opponent’s completed total; the defending side wins if the opponent’s innings ends short of its total. In a two-innings match, a side must exceed the opponent’s combined total from two completed innings.
A timed match can be drawn even when the scores differ. For example, in a Test match, a team chasing 200 that reaches 180/6 when playing time expires draws the match: it has neither reached its target nor completed its final innings.
A tie is different from a draw: under MCC’s Laws, a tie requires all innings to be completed with equal scores. Competition playing conditions can modify how a result is decided. See Cricket Scoring: innings endings and winning targets for more detail.
Key terms
- Over
- A sequence of six valid balls delivered by a bowler.
- Innings
- A team’s turn to bat; match formats allow different numbers of innings.
- Wicket
- Can mean the stumps and bails, or a batter’s dismissal, depending on context.
Keep learning: Cricket guide · Scoring explained
These additions do not mark the existing overview or linked guides as fully fact-checked. Rules can differ by competition, age group and format.