a glimpse of India

Hundreds of boys out playing pick-up cricket at the park

Awaiting a bowl in this pick-up game

I always describe cricket like this: it's kind of like baseball, but more exciting! Each pitch (or bowl) is a potential run scoring opportunity while a "home run" in cricket is worth SIX runs every time you hit one over the fence – this is creatively called a "six". The batsman can hit the ball in any direction (forward, to the side, even backwards) but must protect the plate, or the “wicket.” Behind the batsman, the wicket consists of three posts with a crossbar balanced across the top. If the ball hits these posts, knocking off the crossbar, the batsman is out. Each batsman is up at the "plate" or wicket and continues batting and scoring until he is out. You only get one out per match, so you better make it count. The best players can sometimes score a hundred runs (a century) in a single at bat (see, i told you it is more exciting than baseball).

A bowler comes running in from the left and the batsman winds up on the right

A batsman swings for glory while protecting the wicket

The most famous rivalry in cricket is between England and Australia, and it is called the Ashes. The Ashes series began way back in 1882 and has been played every year since. Last year England beat Australia to reclaim the Ashes trophy for the first time in 19 years! This year the best of five Ashes series is being played in Australia, which just kicked off last week. Australia drubbed England in the first of five test matches winning by 277 runs!

Labels: Ashes, Australia vs. England, cricket, India

Posted by johnny 5 on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 11:11 PM | Permalink