Ashes Etiquette Part 2: Backyard Cricket
Backyard cricket
Dismissals: No LBW because of too many arguments, one hand one bounce, the classic staple rule of backyard cricket. It makes fielding just that bit easier whilst holding a drink. Two bounces no hands for the daring. Hitting a window or glass door on the full is out. Smashing a window or glass door usually means the end of the game. A player cannot get out first ball.
Six and Out: Tonking the ball over the fence is great fun, however it means the game is disrupted and another ball is lost. If you decide to slog the ball six houses away, you must fetch it yourself.
Overs: You cannot take up an over after you have just gotten out, and the order of the bowling attack is to adhered to, no stealing of other’s overs if a crappy batsman is at the crease. Overs are to last no more than around 20 balls (unless there is nobody waiting).
Scoring: This is optional, but usually hitting the fence is four, hitting it on the full is six. Generally different backyards will have different scoring systems, which must be decided by the players before the game begins. Hit-and-run may apply to large areas.
Wicket Keeping: Electric Wicketkeeper and slips are needed if there is no room for actual fielders there– no leg slip.
Shot selection: Hitting directly at fielders is legal. Hitting directly at bottles/cans/glasses of drink is not legal.
Hack It: Disputing of obvious dismissals is forbidden. No winging if there is unanimous decision that you clipped the ball as it whistled past you into the fence, you’re out.
Field placement: This is of the digression of the fielders themselves, however if one person occupies a great catching area, no other fielders can try and encroach upon their position in order to get the easy catch.
Sledging: Not only legal, but it is almost required.
Miscellaneous:
Handing the bat over to somebody who hasn’t batted much is a friendly gesture, however it is not a rule, and if you earn a bat, you reserve the right to take it.
The pace of the bowling must be proportional to the length of the pitch and the size of the field. If you are playing on a short pitch, in a small backyard, Brett Lee-style pace is not permitted. If you are paying in a huge area, then you can try and break the sound barrier with your deliveries.
Constant blocking and defensive play will lead to a technical dismissal. Batsmen must be aggressive and give the odd catching chance to eager fielders.
If you are playing with two batsmen, and there is a runout after a call made by the strike batsman looking for a cheeky single, then the batsman who called for the run must give up his bat for making such a selfish, birdbrain decision.
Any ammendments to this are welcome.
Dismissals: No LBW because of too many arguments, one hand one bounce, the classic staple rule of backyard cricket. It makes fielding just that bit easier whilst holding a drink. Two bounces no hands for the daring. Hitting a window or glass door on the full is out. Smashing a window or glass door usually means the end of the game. A player cannot get out first ball.
Six and Out: Tonking the ball over the fence is great fun, however it means the game is disrupted and another ball is lost. If you decide to slog the ball six houses away, you must fetch it yourself.
Careful, it's gonna swing
Scoring: This is optional, but usually hitting the fence is four, hitting it on the full is six. Generally different backyards will have different scoring systems, which must be decided by the players before the game begins. Hit-and-run may apply to large areas.
Wicket Keeping: Electric Wicketkeeper and slips are needed if there is no room for actual fielders there– no leg slip.
Shot selection: Hitting directly at fielders is legal. Hitting directly at bottles/cans/glasses of drink is not legal.
Hack It: Disputing of obvious dismissals is forbidden. No winging if there is unanimous decision that you clipped the ball as it whistled past you into the fence, you’re out.
Field placement: This is of the digression of the fielders themselves, however if one person occupies a great catching area, no other fielders can try and encroach upon their position in order to get the easy catch.
Sledging: Not only legal, but it is almost required.
Miscellaneous:
Handing the bat over to somebody who hasn’t batted much is a friendly gesture, however it is not a rule, and if you earn a bat, you reserve the right to take it.
The pace of the bowling must be proportional to the length of the pitch and the size of the field. If you are playing on a short pitch, in a small backyard, Brett Lee-style pace is not permitted. If you are paying in a huge area, then you can try and break the sound barrier with your deliveries.
Constant blocking and defensive play will lead to a technical dismissal. Batsmen must be aggressive and give the odd catching chance to eager fielders.
If you are playing with two batsmen, and there is a runout after a call made by the strike batsman looking for a cheeky single, then the batsman who called for the run must give up his bat for making such a selfish, birdbrain decision.
Any ammendments to this are welcome.
