Understanding Overs and Wickets
Learn what an over is and how wickets fall. These are two key ideas in every cricket match.
1 min read Read Guide
cricket-rules beginner
How Cricket Scoring Works
Learn how runs are scored in cricket, from singles to boundaries. A simple guide to the basics.
1 min read 15 min practice
Table of Contents
Cricket scoring looks dense at first, but it is built from a few simple ideas. Runs are added, wickets are subtracted from the batting side’s resources, and the score reports both.
Scoring runs
Batters score by running between the wickets. Each completed length of the pitch by both batters is one run. A ball that reaches the boundary along the ground is four runs, and one that clears it without bouncing is six.
Extras
Some runs are not credited to the batter:
- Wide — a ball too far from the batter to hit; one run and the ball is bowled again.
- No ball — an illegal delivery; one run and the ball is bowled again.
- Bye — runs taken when the ball passes the bat and the keeper without contact.
- Leg bye — runs taken after the ball hits the batter’s body, not the bat.
Reading the score
A score written as 214/5 means 214 runs for the loss of five wickets. In Australia the same score is written 5/214 — the numbers mean the same thing in a different order.
Run rate
Run rate is runs divided by overs bowled. It shows scoring speed and is used to compare innings of different lengths and to set targets in shortened matches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1Batsmen run between the wickets to score runs.
- 2Each completed run adds one to the score.
- 3A ball hit to the boundary along the ground scores four.
- 4A ball hit over the boundary scores six.
- 5Extras like wides also add runs.
Important Tips
- Call clearly with your partner before you run.
- Watch the fielders before taking a run.
Common Mistakes
- Running without a clear call.
- Not grounding the bat over the line.
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