Cricket - I have questions...

[redmond]

Since we are a multinational forum there are bound to be folks that are fans of Cricket.

At a local park I ran into a local group of enthusiasts (mostly from India) that have made a Cricket ground and there was a match in progress. I enjoyed watching and other spectators tried to tell me what was going on. Several times everyone got very excited but having no experience, I wasn't sure why.

My biggest question: are there fixed rules or do they make them up as they go along? There seemed to be quite a bit of arguing with the official (referee?). I was very confused, but I want to visit again. Can anyone recommend a book or website that I can go to so that I don't sound like a complete idiot. I see several of each online, but have no idea if a book or website is of value.

THANKS!!

[Chako]

I know less than you do about Cricket...however, a quick look online did bring this PDF. May it help you.

http://www.nbdmc.ca/cricket.pdf

[redmond]

I know less than you do about Cricket...however, a quick look online did bring this PDF. May it help you.

http://www.nbdmc.ca/cricket.pdf

Thanks Chako - I found a similar cheat sheet also. Let's just say that those are very bare-bones descriptions
 

[Chako]

I never could understand the game...and I must say, that PDF didn't do much to clear my mind about Cricket either. 

[Syncop8r]

I play cricket.  Love it.

[Syncop8r]

It's VERY simple:

[Syncop8r]

Several times everyone got very excited but having no experience, I wasn't sure why...   There seemed to be quite a bit of arguing with the official (referee?).

The fielding team would have appealing to the umpire(s) for the dismissal of one of the batsmen. There can be a lot of judgement required, especially for dismissals such as LBW.

My biggest question: are there fixed rules or do they make them up as they go along?

There are fixed rules, most are well known but there may be a few obscure ones.

Can anyone recommend a book or website that I can go to so that I don't sound like a complete idiot. I see several of each online, but have no idea if a book or website is of value.

I believe this is the official place to go for the rules: https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/

I will try to find something that gives a visual overview of how the game is played.

[redmond]

Several times everyone got very excited but having no experience, I wasn't sure why...   There seemed to be quite a bit of arguing with the official (referee?).

The fielding team would have appealing to the umpire(s) for the dismissal of one of the batsmen. There can be a lot of judgement required, especially for dismissals such as LBW.

My biggest question: are there fixed rules or do they make them up as they go along?

There are fixed rules, most are well known but there may be a few obscure ones.

Can anyone recommend a book or website that I can go to so that I don't sound like a complete idiot. I see several of each online, but have no idea if a book or website is of value.

I believe this is the official place to go for the rules: https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/

I will try to find something that gives a visual overview of how the game is played.

Super, that site looks like exactly what I needed! The Simple pdf - not so much.   

Thanks!

[Syncop8r]

That pdf looks OK for a basic overview. 
I suggest watching a game on YouTube or the like. Test Cricket is the purest form (played in white clothes with a red ball) but games usually last for five days so I suggest watching a One Day International. These are usually 50 overs per side and played in coloured clothing with a white ball. There is another shorter format called Twenty20 which is similar to ODIs but is only 20 overs per side which can be more exciting for those not so into cricket but not enjoyed by the purists so much.

[Don Pablo]

Here's another explanation:
http://www.dangermouse.net/cricket

[pfrsantos]

Since we are a multinational forum there are bound to be folks that are fans of Cricket.

At a local park I ran into a local group of enthusiasts (mostly from India) that have made a Cricket ground and there was a match in progress. I enjoyed watching and other spectators tried to tell me what was going on. Several times everyone got very excited but having no experience, I wasn't sure why.

My biggest question: are there fixed rules or do they make them up as they go along? There seemed to be quite a bit of arguing with the official (referee?). I was very confused, but I want to visit again. Can anyone recommend a book or website that I can go to so that I don't sound like a complete idiot. I see several of each online, but have no idea if a book or website is of value.

THANKS!!

My feelings exactly on american football... and baseball...
 

[Gerhard Gerber]

The game is actually played locally, in fact my backyard looks out on a cricket pitch, and the batting (practice) cages are a stone's throw from my back door 

That said, there is a huge difference between basically knowing how it works and understanding the game.........I will never understand it, or the attraction.   

[redmond]

Here's another explanation:
http://www.dangermouse.net/cricket

Thanks Pablo that is quite helpful. Now I at least can observe a match and can figure out what's going on.

[pfrsantos]

When I saw the title, I was hoping to see something about CRKT knives (I heard many folks call them "cricket").