There are fundamental cricket rules and regulations that apply universally, irrespective of the format. These essential rules are crucial for any cricket enthusiast to comprehend the game effortlessly while watching. The presence of two umpires during a match is a standard feature in cricket rules.
Understanding cricket rules is not challenging, especially for those who watch the game. It provides a sense of how the game unfolds. Although cricket has numerous rules, including some peculiar ones, we will delve into the basics today, saving the discussion of peculiar rules for another time. Additionally, new cricket rules continually shape the game’s dynamics.
There are some weird rules in cricket but we will not be discussing about that today. Today we will focus on basic rules of cricket which are as follows:
1) Bouncer rule in Test/ODIs/T20IS
In cricket, fast bowlers can only bowl 2 bouncers (balls bouncing above shoulder height) per over in Tests & ODIs, 1 in T20s. Exceeding this leads to a penalty run & limits intimidation tactics.
2) Powerplay Fielding Rule
In cricket, the inner ring powerplay refers to the initial 10 overs of a One Day International (ODI) and 6 overs of a T20 match where fielding restrictions are applied. During this period, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, promoting aggressive batting.
3) No-ball rule in cricket
In cricket, the waist-height front foot no-ball rule pertains to the delivery’s legality in terms of the bowler’s front foot placement. If the bowler oversteps the popping crease with their front foot or goes beyond the tramp line with back foot, the delivery is deemed no-ball.
Also, if delivered ball reaches the batsman above waist height on the full, it is deemed a no-ball, penalizing the bowler. Another element comes in if the fielding team has broken the rules of field restriction, that will also be called a no-ball.
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4) 5-run penalty rule
In the game of cricket, the 5-run extra penalty rule is applied when the ball strikes a helmet placed on the field by the fielding side or when the fielding side interferes with the batsman after a delivery. Also if a bowler or fielder has caught the ball while having a towel in their hand, that will also result in a 5-run penalty, the runs will be awarded to the batting side.
5) Bowler removed after two beamers
In all formats of cricket, the “bowler removed after two beamers” rule stipulates that if a bowler delivers two high, full-toss deliveries (beamers) above waist height in an over, they are prohibited from bowling further in that innings. This measure is in place to ensure player safety and prevent intentional misuse of dangerous deliveries.
6) Batter time-out rule
As per the playing conditions of the ICC, a new batsman is required to be prepared to face the ball within two minutes of the previous dismissal or retirement. In cricket, players are generally given a reasonable amount of time for adjusting equipment or addressing minor issues but the cannot exceed 2 minutes.
7) DLS application rule
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is employed in cricket when weather interruptions happen during limited-overs matches. It modifies the target score for the team batting second based on the overs lost. However, a 5-over minimum game is necessary in T20 matches to yield a result under DLS, and 20 overs are the minimum required for a game in ODIs.
8) Obstructing the field rule in cricket
In all formats of the game, the “obstructing the field” rule comes into play when a batsman deliberately hinders a fielder’s attempt to dismiss them. This includes actions like blocking the ball with the bat or body. To maintain the spirit of fair play, obstructing the field results in the batsman being declared out, promoting sportsmanship and ethical conduct.
9) Umpire’s call rule in cricket
The umpire’s call on LBW (Leg Before Wicket) in cricket refers to a situation where the on-field decision is upheld if the Decision Review System (DRS) shows the ball clipping the stumps. In that case the decision given by the umpire is upheld right whether out or not out.
10) Strike doesn’t change on caught out rule
The “strike doesn’t change on caught out” rule in cricket states that when a batsman is dismissed caught, the non-striker remains at the non-striker’s end. The incoming batsman takes the striker’s position. This rule ensures continuity in batting order and simplifies the game’s flow by not altering the striking position after a caught dismissal.
So these were the basic rules of cricket. These can be called fundamental cricket rules and regulations that apply to every professional game of cricket.
