Try as you might to wrap your mind around that one, so it is with cricket. Just when you think you understand it, an unwritten rule or new term pops up to throw you entirely off balance. With that said, we offer an incomplete guide to the game written by Americans for Americans. We're sure we will hear from cricketers around the world and we will include their comments and criticisms as we add to this guide. LAWS OF THE GAME Cricket teams consist of 11 men, cricketers or players.
Regular matches consist of two innings with one team at bat and the other in the field.
The team at bat tries to score runs while the goal of the team in the field is to get 10 of the 11 members of the opposite team out. When the team in the field accomplishes that feat, they get their turn at bat and the opposing team takes the field. When both teams have batted it is considered an inning, which can last a considerable length of time. On the other hand, a team can be declared the winner by a number of wickets. For instance, if the opposing team has had two innings at bat and is in the lead, and your team goes ahead in runs after six players have been gotten out, your team is declared the winners by four wickets, the number of players not gotten out for the inning to be declared over.