Interactive Explainer
CricketRead the Gamefrom the Bleachers
Understand the basics of batting, bowling, and fielding — and why a match can last all day and still end in a draw.
Sport DNA
Boundary
~130–180 yd diameter
Oval — size varies by ground; youth fields run smaller
Youth Boundary
~80–120 yd diameter
Often a soccer or multi-use field marked with cones
Ball
Hard leather · Soft / tape-ball
Hard ball for older/competitive · soft or tape-ball for most youth
Bat
Up to 38 in long
Youth bats sized by height — start light
Players per Side
11
2 batters in at a time · rest field or wait to bat
Match Length (T20)
~2–3 hours
20 overs per side · youth often 8–16 overs
Countries Playing
100+ ICC members
Huge in South Asia, UK, Australia, Caribbean
Founded
England · 16th century
Modern Laws shaped by MCC (from 1788)
Slip Attack
An attacking field set for pace or seam bowling — several catchers surround the bat behind the wicket, hoping to take an edge. The slip cordon is how the fielding team takes wickets when the ball is moving.
Tap any player to see their role
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Before the Start
Essential Gear
See all 10 itemsCricket Bat
The bat is the most important and personal piece of equipment. English willow bats are premium; Kashmir willow is more affordable and fine for youth players. Match the size to your child's height — a bat that's too long makes technique harder to develop. Oil a new bat before first use.
Est. $40 – $200
Batting Pads
Strapped leg guards that protect the shin, knee, and thigh from fast-moving deliveries. Junior sizes for under-13; short adult for taller youth. Should cover from ankle to 2 inches above the knee without restricting movement. Worn on both legs.
Est. $30 – $100
Batting Gloves
Padded gloves protect the fingers and back of the hand from deliveries that hit the edge of the bat. Must allow a firm grip on the bat handle. Look for reinforced 'sausage fingers' on the top hand — that's where most hits land.
Est. $25 – $80
Cricket Helmet
Required for batting and wicket-keeping in all youth cricket. Look for BS7928 certification. The grill must be close enough that a ball cannot pass through it (roughly a 55mm gap). Replace after any significant impact to the grill or shell, even if it looks undamaged.
Est. $50 – $150
Full gear guide
7 must-haves · 10 items total · Est. $100 – $350
Parent's Cheat Sheet
What just happened?
Official Wording
Runs are scored when the batting team's two batters run between the wickets, or when the ball reaches or crosses the boundary (4 runs along the ground, 6 runs in the air).
Parent Translation
Your kid (the batter) hits the ball and runs back and forth between two sets of stumps — each crossing scores one run. If the ball reaches the rope at the edge of the field, that's 4 automatic runs. If it clears the rope in the air without bouncing, that's 6 (the equivalent of a home run). A six is the highlight play in cricket.
