Why Aren’t You Playing Cricket?

 

 

With an estimated three billion spectators, cricket is the world’s second most watched sport. South Asia and the former colonies of the United Kingdom are among the most fervid of cricket’s fans. And yet, you have never ever played it have you? You’re missing out!

 

I want to get fit, not stand around all day!

Cricket is not a game where cardiovascular performance is a necessary requirement of success. However, if you start to play with a team, you will train at least once a week.

Like any sport, being in good physical condition aids success. The three major skills in cricket are batting, bowling and fielding, all of which require brief bursts of high intensity activity, spaced out over the length of a game.

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Combine these factors with the length of a one-day cricket game (usually around 8 hours), you realise just how much fitness and endurance you need stay at peak performance for a whole game of cricket.

Cricket will improve your endurance and general fitness, as well as your hand-eye coordination.  However, the biggest change you’ll see once you start is a big improvement to your upper-body strength.

I don’t have time to play

Cricket has moved on a long way since 5-day, double-innings matches of the 20th Century. The rise of limited overs games means that after-work matches are now a frequently practised reality. Although one-day games last a whole day, this isn’t the only way to go – here is an explanation of how it works.

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Cricket can be limited or unlimited overs. Unlimited overs games last until either: (i) all innings of both teams are done (i.e. everyone is bowled out) or (ii) the allotted time is reached (i.e. 1-5 days of play). At the end of play the highest scoring team wins. Limited overs cricket is much simpler; a number of overs will be agreed on, and each time will bowl that number. Whoever scored the most within the number wins!

Twenty-20 cricket matches have under 150 minutes of play. The rules state that each innings should be less than 75 minutes.

 

There’s too much equipment to buy

Yes – cricketers need lots of protection: helmets, pads and gloves. But don’t worry, you don’t have to pay out for everything. Most amateur clubs will share equipment such as wickets, balls and pads. You won’t have to pay hundreds of pounds just to get out there and play.

However, if you are just starting out, then the limiting factor won’t be the quality of your bat, but your batting ability. Start out with a cheap but reliable bat from somewhere like Talent Cricket and upgrade as you improve.

 

Article Submitted By Community Writer.

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