Cricket: An AP Beginner’s Guide to the World’s Second Most Popular Sport

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As you’re casually flipping through TV channels, you stumble upon a cricket match. Players are going at it, batting, bowling, and fielding, but it’s all a bit confusing. No need to fret, my friend, we’ve got your back.

Although cricket is the second most popular sport worldwide, it remains a bit of a mystery for many. Here’s the rundown so you can fully appreciate the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup without feeling lost.

Let’s start with the basics:

WICKET
In cricket, “wicket” can mean several things. It’s used when a bowler dismisses a batter and also refers to the three wooden stumps and the 22 yards between them.

INNINGS
In a Twenty20 match, each team has one innings. They flip a coin to decide whether to bat or bowl first. Each team has a maximum of 10 wickets before being all out.

OVER
Each team’s innings consists of 20 overs, with 6 balls in each over. The last few overs are known as the “death overs,” where batters take big risks to score as many boundaries as possible.

Now, let’s explore some of the quirky phrases you might hear:

BEAMER
When a bowler hurls the ball at the batter’s head without it bouncing, it’s called a beam. It’s illegal and usually accidental.

BOUNDARIES
Hitting the ball beyond the field’s edge is worth 4 runs, or 6 runs if it’s done without the ball bouncing.

CHIN MUSIC
Fast bowlers aim to bounce the ball steeply around a batter’s face, creating a dramatic effect.

GOLDEN DUCK
The ultimate embarrassment for any batter – getting out on the very first ball.

These are just a few of the fascinating terms you might come across during a cricket match. With the Twenty20 World Cup approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into the world of cricket. So, grab some snacks, pick a team to root for, and get ready to experience the exhilarating thrill of this global sport!


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