Cricket, do you love it? Watching the Ashes? What a test it was last week!
For anyone wondering what all the hype around cricket is when the rules are so confusing, don’t worry I was there with you not so long ago. For those who love the sport, may be familiar with this well-known tea towel from 1970s which explains the rules:
- You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.
- Each man that’s in the side that’s in goes out, and when he’s out he comes in, and the next man goes in until he’s out.
- When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in, and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.
- Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
- When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out, he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
- There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time, and they decide when the men who are in are out.
- When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including the not outs, that’s the end of the game.
I mean, what’s not to understand?!
The 2023 Men’s Ashes series currently standing at 2-1 to Australia and the England Women’s team winning 2-1 in their Ashes series, there’s been no better time to start a sport that is so quintessentially British. However, sport isn’t all about the highs.
With Australian bowler Nathan Lyon no longer able to carry on in the series due to a significant calf tear in the second test against England and England’s Ollie Robinson suffering back spasms at Headingly during the third test; cricket comes with a whole host of injuries much like any sport.
The misconception with Cricket, especially The Ashes, is how do injuries occur when the game seems so long and still at points. An Ashes series includes 5 tests, and each test can last 5 days and they even stop for lunch, and then tea later in the day! But with balls bowled towards batsman at an average rate of 90mph, you can see why they were all the padding, helmets and protection that’s on offer.
If you’re thinking of taking up cricket this summer, please stay safe. Here is just some of the local cricket clubs in the area:
Search for your nearest club here.
For young beginners, All Stars Cricket may be the stepping stone you’re looking for. All Stars Cricket provides a fantastic first experience for all children aged 5-8 years old where they’re guaranteed 8 weeks of jam-packed fun, activity and skills development. The programme is designed to introduce children to the sport, teaching them new skills, helping them make new friends and have a great time doing so.
With over 2200 clubs registered to run All Stars courses, it’s a great way to get your 5-8 year old the best first experience of the sport, with an emphasis on fun! Find out more here.
The Hundred, another form of cricket has recently been introduced to encourage people into the sport. It’s a much shorter form, with only 100 balls per team. Keep an eye out this summer for TV coverage. They’re even playing at The Ageas Bowl Southampton if you fancied a day out of something different?
