Are you keen to get to a Perth Scorchers game this summer but not too familiar with this game known as ‘Cricket?’ Never fear- The Cricket Guide for Newbies is here!

If you haven’t really watched much cricket before, the game concept can be a little tricky to grasp. One team is in, batters get out, but the team is still in until all but one batter is out… Some people are holding bats, some people are standing around the ground, one person throws a ball… Confused yet?! Don’t worry- by the end of this article you will have a much better understanding.

Lets start with some basic cricket lingo. There is nothing worse than a cricket nut having a conversation with you while you just nod along, without the faintest idea of what they are talking about. This glossary should help.

Pitch: Where majority of the action is- the pitch is the strip of turf in the middle of the ground.

Boundary: The boundary of the playing ground is marked out with rope.

Crease: A line at each end of the pitch, 22 yards apart.

Wicket: There are two wickets, one at each end of the pitch. Each wicket consists of three wooden stakes that have been spiked into the ground. Each wicket has two small bails that balance on top of the stakes.

Bowler: The player who stands at one end of the pitch and bowls the ball to the opposition batter at the other end of the pitch.

Batter: There are two batters on the pitch at a time that face the ball from the bowler, hitting as many balls as they can in an attempt to make ‘runs’.

Runs: One run is scored when the batter hits the ball far enough for him and the other batter to be able to run to the opposite ends of the pitch and behind the crease.

Fielder: The players standing out in the ground ready to either catch the ball hit by the batter or prevent the ball from hitting the boundary. The fielders and bowler are on the same team.

Top 5 Perth Scorchers Catches from Last Season

https://youtu.be/MLkLd3wXtRI

Twenty20: Twenty20 or T20 is the shortest form of cricket. It indicates 20 ‘overs’ per team and only lasts for 3 hours. It is generally the most exciting form of cricket because the players have a lot less time to score runs, so they hit the ball as hard as they can around the ground. Hence the name “Big Bash…”

Over: Each ‘over’ represents 6 balls bowled. In Twenty20 cricket each bowler can only bowl a maximum of 4 overs.

Out: There are a few different ways that a batter can get ‘out’. If a fielder catches a ball that the batter has hit on the full, it is out. If the bowler bowls the ball past the batsman and hits the wickets, it is out. If a fielder hits the wicket with the ball before the batter is behind the crease, it is out. If a bowler bowls an L.B.W it is out.

L.B.W: Stands for Leg Before Wicket which is when the ball hits the batters leg, blocking the ball from hitting the wicket.

Duck: When the batter gets out before making any runs.

Four: A ‘FOUR!’ is when the batter hits the ball hard enough to get it past the fielders to reach the boundary, bouncing inside the boundary before hitting the rope. If a batter hits a ‘four’ they do not have to physically run, they are automatically awarded four runs.

Six: A ‘SIX!’ is when the batter hits the ball hard enough to get it over the boundary, without bouncing inside the ground first. If a batter hits a ‘six’ they do not have to physically run, they are automatically awarded six runs.

“Howzat?!”: Is ‘How is that?’ all squished into one word and is used by the fielding team (or fans), directed at the umpire, indicating that the batter should be out.

So now we just need to string a few of those words together and we will get a basic indication of how a Big Bash League game is played!

The team that wins the toss at the beginning of the game decides whether to bat first or second. The opposition team bowls and fields. The batsmen face a total of 20 overs and in that time they try and score as many runs as they can. The batsmen will be trying their hardest to hit a six or four as it is a much quicker way to score runs. This is why Big Bash games are exciting! Men smashing a cricket ball with a wooden bat as hard as they can around the ground– how fun is that!? When the 20^th over has been bowled (or all but one batsman has gotten out) the teams swap positions. The team batting second then has to attempt to make more runs than the team that batted first. The team with the most runs at the end of the match wins. And that’s basically it! Simple right?

The Last Over of the Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers 2014/15 Final. What an Over!

https://youtu.be/pTAJM7M8x5o

Another good thing to remember if you are going to a BBL game is to be prepared. Here are some key things that would make your day a lot more enjoyable if you brought along with you:

Hat: A large brimmed sombrero hat, or a hat made out of a hollowed-out watermelon are not uncommon sites at the cricket. Don’t be shocked if you see one…

Sunscreen: Or zinc, cricket players are known for smothering their faces with sunscreen or zinc, plus it’s always good to be sun smart.

Sunglasses: Protect those peepers from the harsh rays.

Binoculars: To zoom in on the action if needed.

Water: You can also buy water and snacks inside the ground. Keep hydrated!

Picnic rug: If you are sitting on a gassed area a picnic rug is always a good idea.

Orange clothes or accessories: To support the Perth Scorchers of course!

I think a little bit of background info may also be helpful- especially for the Perth Scorchers fans. So here is some history to catch you up:

The Perth Scorchers are the most successful team in the leagues history! The mighty Scorchers have played in the finals in every season to date, and have won the last two finals. The 2014/15 final ended in a last-ball THRILLER over the Sydney Sixers.

The good thing about BBL cricket is that you don’t really have to understand it to enjoy it. BBL is explosive, exciting and entertaining for anyone who goes to a game. Kids love it, people who are not generally into cricket love it, and it’s a great afternoon/night out.

Now, go forth my cricket newbies and share your newfound BBL knowledge with your other newbie friends. And most importantly- get to the WACA (#TheFurnace) to watch a Perth Scorchers game this season!

Show your support for the Perth Scorchers at @ScorchersBBL #MadeTough #BBL05