The Indoor cricket reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Indoor cricket

For people who check facts
Indoor Cricket is a variation on the conventional game of cricket. The game originated in Perth, Western Australia, in the 1970s. It is now an extremely popular sport across the world.


		

Table of contents
1 How is it different from Cricket?
2 Rules

How is it different from Cricket?

The biggest difference between cricket and indoor cricket is, obviously, that it is played indoors. As large indoor playing fields are extremely rare, the game of indoor cricket has been adapted to suit much smaller playing areas. As a result of this, the game is much faster than conventional cricket.

Rules

Most people reading this article are probably already familiar with the rules of cricket, so here I will just provide you with the details of indoor cricket specific rules.

The Playing Arena

The length of an indoor cricket pitch is the same as a conventional cricket pitch, and has 3 stumps at each end, but there the similarities end. The arena is completely enclosed by tight netting, a couple of meters from each side and end of the pitch. The playing surface is normally fake grass matting. Whilst the pitch is the same length, however, the batters don't have to run the entire length. The strikers crease is in the regulation place in front of the stumps, but the non-strikers crease is only half way down the pitch.

Players

Indoor cricket is played between 2 teams of 8 players. Each player must bowl 2 overs, and bat in a partnership of 4 overs.

Equipment

The stumps used in indoor cricket are not, for obvious reasons, stuck in the ground. Instead, they are collapsible spring loaded stumps that immediately spring back to the standing position when knocked over. The ball used in indoor cricket is a modified cricket ball, with a softer centre.

Scoring

Scoring in indoor cricket is split into 2 areas: physical runs and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net. Bonus scores for particular parts of the nets follow: NB: For bonus runs to be scored, at least one physical run must be scored. The bonus runs are then added to the physical runs.

Dismissals

A batsman can be dismissed in the same ways they can be in conventional cricket. When a batsman gets dismissed, however, he continues batting, and recieves a score of -5. Batsmen bat in pairs for 4 overs at a time, regardless of dismissals.

These are the main rules of indoor cricket, but there are obviously many more. This article is really designed just as an overview. If you want more detailed information, please visit http://www.indoorcricketworld.com/What/rules/index.html.