Cricket is a team sport played on a large grass field with a ball, bats, and two wickets, The eleven-player teams alternate turns at bat in order to score more runs than the opposition.

Originating in England, cricket pits two teams against each other in a battle to score more runs. This is done by batting a small ball into a field, then running between two wickets. The fielding team is tasked with returning the ball quickly, to prevent runs from being scored.

Score more runs than the opposing team.

Cricket fields consist of a pitch surrounded by a large grass field. Wickets are placed on each side of the pitch, and are used as targets. Teams consist of 11 players, who alternate between fielding and batting. Play begins with the fielding team's bowler bouncing a hard ball towards one of the wickets. A batsman from the batting team defends the wicket by batting it into the field. Once the ball is hit, the batsman attempts to run from one wicket to the other, in order to score runs. Fielders attempt to retrieve the ball, and get the batsman out. The team with the most runs at the end of the game is winner.

The origins of cricket can be traced back to 16th century England. Started as a children's game, cricket was soon adopted by adults and was played in inter-village competitions. By the 17th century, cricket was an organized sport, played by well-paid professionals. By the 18th century, cricket rules and techniques had evolved significantly. Bowlers began bouncing the ball when bowling, which caused the bat to take its current shape. By the end of the century, the sport had become England's national sport. As England spread it's influence around the world, cricket exploded in popularity By the end of the 19th century, cricket had become established in India, North America, the Caribbean, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Throughout the 20th century, the game went through a number of changes, as different styles of play were introduced and non-British teams became increasingly competitive. The International Cricket Council (ICC) was also founded, as the governing body of cricket worldwide. Today, cricket remains an extremely popular sport throughout much of the world.

Ball
Bat
Boundary
Helmet
Padding
Wickets (2)
Wicket Keeper's Glove

Cricket is not a contact sport, yet injury can still occur. Batsmen are always at risk of being struck by bowled balls, and as such, a helmet and padding should be worn at all times.

Cricket requires a mix of strength, agility and superior hand-eye coordination. Weight training and aerobic exercise is necessary, as is plenty of practice in game situations.

Approach - motion of the bowler prior to bowling the ball

Boundary - rope or line marking the perimeter of the field

Bowled - when the bowler hits the wicket with the ball, breaking it, and dislodging at least one bail

Dismissal - to get a batsman out, so that he must cease batting

Innings - (always plural) one player's or one team's turn to bat

Over - the delivery of six consecutive balls by one bowler

Pitch - 22-yard long rectangular surface in the center of the field where most action takes place

Run - point scored by batting the ball, then running from one end of the pitch to the other before the ball is returned

Wicket - set of three wooden stumps with two bails across the top at either end of the pitch, defended by a batsman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket