Cricket Playing Conditions for Different Formats
The Variations of the Game of Cricket Have Specific Modifications
Sep 7, 2009
Cricket is played in more than one format and three of them are played internationally and officially ratified. Each of these formats have subtle changes to the rules.
The earliest form of the game of cricket is Test Match Cricket. Then came the shorter form of the game called One-Day 50-Over Game (also called One Day Internationals). The most recent addition to the repertoire is the Twenty20 cricket.
What is Common to All Forms of Cricket
- The Oval or the Ground- All cricket games are all played at the same grounds with no adjustments.
- The Pitch- The length and width does not change.
- Field Equipment- Three wooden stakes (called stumps) which are driven into the ground at each end of the pitch and two small cross bars (called bails) laid on top of them. The stumps and bails together is called a 'wicket'.
- Player's Equipment- The bat, helmet, pads, gloves and other safety gear.
External Differences in the Games
Clothes
- Test Match Cricket- all white
- One-day 50-over Cricket- a colour chosen by the team. Usually in line with the colours in the flag of the country.
- Twenty20 Cricket- again coloured clothing. The colours may be the same as for 50-over cricket, but the design is different.
Ball
- Test Match Cricket- Red ball
- One-day 50-over Cricket- White Ball. Although very recently an Orange ball has been tried.
- Twenty20 Cricket- Red or White ball
Time of Play
- Test Match Cricket- Played over five days and always during day-light hours
- One-day 50-over Cricket- Played in one day. Sometimes during day-light hours but it is also played under lights and is called 'day-night' matches. The day-night games starts mid afternoon and continues into the night.
- Twenty20 Games- Because the game only lasts for about 4 hours, they are played in the morning, afternoon and early evening.
Number of Overs to be bowled
- Test Match Cricket- The ideal scenario is for around 90 overs to be bowled in a day.
- One-day 50-Over Game- 50 overs to be bowled by each team in around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
- Twenty20 Cricket- Only 20 overs are bowled by each team in around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Breaks During the Game
- Test Match Cricket- Each day is split into four sessions of around one and a half hours each. A Drinks break is taken after the first session but the players do not leave the ground. A lunch break of around 40 minutes is taken after the second session. A tea break of 20 minutes is taken after the third session and the players do leave the ground.
- One-day 50-over Game- Played in two sessions with a lunch break in the middle. The end of the first session is when the 50-overs have been bowled or the team batting are all out. A drinks break is taken when around 25 overs have been bowled with the players not leaving the field.
- Twenty-20 Cricket- Played in two sessions with a short break at the end of the first session when one team has bowled 20 overs or the batting team are all out.
How the Modifications Affect the Game of Cricket
The shorter time frames and the fact that more often than not there is a result at the end of the game, make the One-day 50-over Cricket and the Twenty20 Cricket popular with the spectators. Whist the more sedate Test Match Cricket appeal to the Cricket purists.
The copyright of the article Cricket Playing Conditions for Different Formats in Cricket is owned by Pauline Mascarenhas. Permission to republish Cricket Playing Conditions for Different Formats in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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