I am interested in learning how cricket is played -- the rules,
terminology, strategy, history, etc. I will probably never have an
opportunity to play, but I am nonetheless intrigued.
The best answer for me will be a DVD on playing cricket (if such a DVD
exists, that is). It needs to be compatible with United States DVD
players. It must explain in *great* detail exactly how cricket is
played (the rules). It will have to be simple enough that a person
with NO knowledge of cricket would be able to learn how the game is
played. Think of explaining American football to someone who has never
watched it being played (and I do mean never  ;-).
Failing that, I will settle for a website which explains the game as I
described above. It *must* include video clips for actually seeing
what is being explained.
Thanks in advance!

Carl

Hi Carl,

I've not been able to find a DVD or Video available for use in the
U.S. - I thought perhaps a Canadian seller would have something, but
no luck. However, I think I've managed to get you up and going with an
online tutorial, but first, the history and basics of the game and
then on to the BBC website which contains videos.

>>>>>HISTORY

"The precise origins of cricket are unknown, though there are a few
different theories. Even the origin of the name "cricket" is obscure.
The game is most commonly thought to have begun as a diversion played
by shepherds on sheep-grazing fields. One shepherd would defend one of
the wicket-gates in a paddock fence (the reference to a "wicket" being
suggestive here) from being hit by stones thrown by another shepherd,
using his crook to try to hit the stones away."
http://www.dangermouse.net/cricket/history/

>>>>>TERMINOLOGY

Common Cricket Terminology - Index
"Let's kick back, learn the language, and in no time you will be
sending down the odd chinaman to be knicked by the batsman, before
popping into the hands of the silly mid off fieldsman. Many of the
explanations also have a picture or link to another page that will
help you further undertand the particular term."
http://www.abcofcricket.com/cfb1/cfb2/cfb3/cct/cct.htm

>>>>>THE GAME
(for beginners, both websites compare cricket with baseball to help in
understanding)

Learn Cricket: [click on the Table of Contents link, but it can also
be downloaded]:
"If you are clueless about Cricket, then this is the ideal place to
know more about the sport. This site aims to instruct readers who are
new to the sport. Almost every aspect of the sport is discussed in
this site. The rules and laws of Cricket have been explained in a
simple manner. Those who do have a basic idea about cricket can also
find out more about its nuances by reading the advanced topics.
For beginners wishing to learn just the basics of the sport, should
find the first 10 pages adequate to get the idea of the game. There
are a total of 26 pages. Page 11 (Bowling Strategy) onwards contain
the advanced topics such as contains strategies and scorecards."
http://cricketlearn.tripod.com/

DM's Explanation of Cricket:
Includes boxed text describing specific differences between baseball
(in red) and cricket (in green).
http://www.dangermouse.net/cricket/

>>>>>MATH

Principles of Mathematics Found in Cricket 
http://members.tripod.com/~scienceofcricket/math.html

>>>>>TUTORIAL with Videos
There's alot to see here - it might be best to familiarize yourself
with the game using the above links before you plunge into the BBC.

BBC Sports Academy: Cricket:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/default.stm

RULES:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/bsp/hi/cricket/rules/html/default.stm

Bowl a corker yorker with Bicknell! Video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/video_masterclasses/newsid_2714000/2714045.stm

>>>>>Additional Links of Interest

Cricket Quiz in Math:
http://www.promotega.org/fld00007/crquiz.htm

United States Cricket Association:
http://www.usaca.org/

CANCoach Cricket Software:
"The cricket Bowling and Batting CD contains over 40 drills and
instructional pieces to help coaches and players learn the basics of
bowling and batting. By introducing the basic grip and action
beginning and intermediate cricketers will learn the fundamental
skills required to bowl. Once the fundamentals have been learned,
young cricketers will be introduced to both swing and spin bowling.
Players will learn the fundamental skills required to become a
consistent batter. Authored by Bob Simpson, former Australian National
Team Captain and Coach."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002BVRH2/qid=1089740367/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1_etk-software/102-0598004-1666565?v=glance&s=software&n=229534

GAME: Cricket 2004 (PC):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000A5B7R/ref=pd_sim_vg_dp_1/202-0207659-0827868

International Links:
http://members.tripod.com/~scienceofcricket/history2.html

>>>>>

I'm confident you'll soon be talking about Yorkers, Tailenders, and
Hat Tricks in no time at all. If you have any questions or if this
hasn't satisfied your request, please post a clarification request
before closing/rating my answer and I'll be happy to reply.

Thank you,
hummer

Google Search Terms Used:

"history of cricket"
learn cricket easy
cricket for dummies
rules cricket
terminology cricket
dvd cricket
video cricket
learn cricket in the u.s.
cricket cd-rom
etc.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by imthurn-ga on 15 Jul 2004 07:21 PDT

Hello hummer --

Thanks for the time you took to research this. What I am looking for
(again, short of a DVD/videotape for learning cricket) is a website
with actual video clips (not videos for sale). I checked out the
websites you provided and could not find any video clips on them.
If you could get back to me about this, I will rate your answer.
Thanks!
Carl

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 15 Jul 2004 07:59 PDT

Hi imthurn,

I'm sorry if you had trouble finding the video clips - go to the
following link (note "video" in the address):

BBC: Masterclasses:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/video_masterclasses/default.stm

Next, click on one of the Masterclasses, for example, click on
"Salisbury shows you how to bowl leg spin":
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/video_masterclasses/newsid_2127000/2127602.stm

Under the photo, you'll find these options:

Watch my masterclass:
Broadband
Modem
"If you're having trouble downloading the video, why not check out our slideshow"
Slideshow

You'll find the video options in each Masterclass:
Bowl a corker yorker with Bicknell!
Squaring up with Ramps
How to run out with Ramps
Be a slow ball star with Bicknell
Ramprakash sweeps up
Salisbury shows you how to bowl leg spin

I searched extensively and these are the only video clips online that
I could find - I hope they are what you are looking for, but if not,
please let me know before closing/rating my answer and I'll have
another look.

Regards,
hummer

Thanks very much for your time -- the websites you provided will
definitely be helpful.

Hello imthurn.

Here is a brief summary of the game.

"The Rules of Cricket 
as Explained to a foreign visitor

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 both sides have been in and out including the not-outs, that's
the end of the game."
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/pastimes/cricket.htm

Best regards ;)

THX1138

Terrific, imthurn, thanks for the good news and fine rating. Sincerely, hummer

Dont they play cricket in america?

Hi talise88, thanks for your comment.

"There were twenty-five (25) established leagues, and about six
hundred (600) cricket clubs, one could actually name in the US .
Ttherefore, around 10,000 active, full-season cricketers are probably
registered to play cricket in the USA.
An estimated one-quarter of this 10,000, around 2500, play in the New
York/New Jersey area. The rest---a growing number, as well as an
increasing percentage of the total---are distributed across the USA,
in newly developing centers of cricket.
These are impressive numbers, indeed. Only the nine major cricketing
nations have as many (or more) active cricketers than there presently
are in the US."
http://www.caribvoice.org/Sports/usacricket.html

Regards,
hummer

Hi Hummer,

Cricket is a game played by 2 teams.  Each team consists of 11
players.  There are 2 umpires.  Various types of cricket matches are:
(a) one-day - where the game has to finish in one day and decision is
a must.  Each team bats only once and is generally restricted to
certain overs.
(b) 3-day - where a game can go up to 3 days and decision is not
always guaranteed.  each team gets a chance to bat twice.
(c) 5-day - these are test matches between cricket playing nations. 
Each team gets a chance to bat twice.

An over consists of 6 balls.  In case of a no ball, additional bowl is bowled.

The link below covers all the rules of cricket:

    http://www.lords.org/cricket/laws.asp

Hope you will get some additional information.  Have fun.