Our top 10 favourite cricket rules explained!

June 16, 2017

Last Saturday England beat Australia at Edgbaston as a result of The Duckworth-Lewis method. It is generally accepted that this mathematical formulation is very accurate but also considered extremely technical; often confusing for fans and cricketers alike. And this got us thinking. Cricket has numerous strange and interesting rules which we think you should be aware of.


Firstly, what is The Duckworth Lewis method? ESPN has put together a relatively simple explanation...

In simple terms, the D/L system converts the number of overs remaining and the number of wickets lost into a "resources remaining" figure. As overs are completed or wickets fall - the "resources remaining" falls. When a limited overs cricket match is delayed or interrupted by rain or bad light, there is often insufficient time for both teams to complete their full allocation of overs. It is therefore necessary to calculate a fair target for the team batting second - taking into account the number of overs that they will face. (ESPN)


As you can see from the image above, the D/L method was used to calculate the outcome of Saturday's game. And now you know what the D/L method is, keep reading to find out some more of crickets strange and often complex rules. 

1. Leg Before Wicket.

The umpire will cite this reason if it is believed the ball would have hit the stumps had it not come into contact with the body of the batsman, and not necessarily the leg. This rule is generally considered in cricket, what the offside law is to football.

2. Out Or Not Out, One Should Appeal.

The umpire can only declare the batsman out, if the fielding team appeals. This still stands even if the umpire knows the batsman is out but the fielding team does not appeal.


3. Ariel Stoppage = Dead Ball.

This rule is a result of technology coming into the game, and cricket has had to answer to this. If a ball hits some form of technology, for example a spider cam floating over the ground or even a roof of the stadium, then it is considered a dead ball and a score will not be taken.

4. Rare Happenings, Rare Rule

Fielders will often jump to stop a ball going over the boundary and therefore preventing the batting team from getting a six. However if the ball still crosses the boundary, the fielder cannot go outside the boundary and volley the ball back in. This rule came into play after a rare incident.

5. Spirit of Cricket

After a batsman has been declared out, this decision can be over turned if the fielding team withdraw the appeal. This can only be done with the consent of the umpire and shows the spirit of the game is not lost.

6. Cricket has its own penalty decision

If a ball touches the helmet of the keeper, which is on the ground at that time, it is a declared as a penalty and the batting team is awarded with 5 runs. If a ball is caught after it has touched the fielder’s cap or helmet then it is not out. However if the ball touches any other part of the body and then caught by a fielder, it is considered out.

7. Mankading

This is when the batsman leaves his popping crease* and walks towards the other end of the wicket so it will take him less time to reach the other end. The act of Mankading is when the bowler runs out the batsman at the non-strikers end as he is backing up rather than actually bowling the ball. Traditionally a bowler will warn a batsman before actually following through with the act.

*An area of white lines painted or chalked on the field of play defining the area within which the batsmen and bowlers operate.

8. Sledging

A term used when players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing player. The purpose is to try and weaken the opponent’s concentration by causing them to make mistakes or under perform. This practice has caused a number of debates within cricket as some people have suggested it constitutes as poor sportsmanship, while others have seen it as humorous.

9.The wicket is down

When both bails have been removed, a fielder can remove a stump from the ground to get the batsman out providing that the ball is held in their hands.


10.Rules are rules

For instance the pitch is mowed before the start of play every single day whether it needs mowing is irrelevant. If the grass does not need cutting the mower is still used, however the blade is set higher than the grass so it’s not damaged. 


If you want to get closer to the action and watch these rules in play at Edgbaston this summer, then head here for more information.

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