Cricket is a game which was played by the lords and baronets in the beginning. It was considered the game for the rich people. When this game got popularity, then it went into the hands of common man and spread in various counties of Great Britain and countries of the world. The Great Britain is considered the home of cricket and the Lords is the headquarters of this game. This games was started in 16th century but it developed in 128th century. The first international match was played between England and Australia in 19th century.
This game is played between two teams in which one team bats and the other bowls and fields. Each team consists of 11 players and the match is supervised by two field empires. The shape of the cricket ground is circular and in the middle of the ground there is a 22 yards long rectangular shape pitch on which batting side bats. The weight of the ball is about 5½ ounces and usually in red or white colors. Before the start of the game, the game officials get the toss between the captains of both teams. The toss winning captain decides whether he is going for batting or fielding. If he wants to fields then he invites the captain of opponent team to bat first which he has to accept it.
The batting side tries to score as many run as he can. They scores run by hitting the balls with the bats holding in their hands. The batsman runs for the score after hitting the ball with his bat and if he reaches the other side of the pitch without being dismissed then he completes his run. If he plays powerful stroke and the ball reaches the rope being fall on the ground to show the boundary of the ground then he gets four runs and if ball crosses over the ropes being touched inside the ground then he gets six runs. On the other side, if batsman fails to play the ball and it touches the wickets being erected behind him then he is declared to be bowled out. Similarly if batsman hits the ball and it goes into the hands of any fielder or wicketkeeper being without touching the ground then he is given caught out.
There are three formats of international cricket. The first and basic format is called test cricket. In this type of cricket, the game is continued for five days in which both teams have to play two times. The team who scored most runs and bowled out other team without reaching the target then the most scoring team is declared the winner of the match. In the second format of international cricket which is called One Day International cricket. This is a limited over cricket which is played only for one day and both teams have to play for 50 overs. The team who bats first tries to score more and more runs to set highest possible target and the following team has to chase and achieve this target if it wants to win the match.
Live Cricket
The third format has been introduced recently which is started to give enjoyment and bring thrill in the cricket. This format of cricket is called Twenty20 cricket. In this format, both teams have to play 20 overs each. In this match the team batting first tries to set the target and other team follow the target and if it achieves the target then it is declared winner of the match.
International Cricket Council is the governing body of all cricket playing nations. This governing body formulates the rules and laws for the cricket. This governing body accorded approval to ten countries to play test cricket. The full members of International Cricket Council include England, Australia, Pakistan, India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. There are some top associates and affiliate members of ICC like Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Canada and Kenya.
Now days, you can watch cricket matches live on many websites. These websites show live stream of current matches for internet audience.