The Rules of Cricket
Once a week I go cycling in the countryside with a friend. We cycle about 30 miles and visit 2 or 3 pubs. It’s my favourite day of the week. 
Recently I visited the Friendly Inn, Frankton, Warwickshire, and noticed a plaque on the wall defining the rules of cricket. It was so good, I copied it down for this post.
If you’ve every been slightly confused by the rules of cricket, here they are in simple form:
You have 2 sides out in the field, one in and one out.
Each man that’s in the side that’s in goes out and when he’s out he comes in and the next man goes in until he’s out.
When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When both sides have been in and out, including the not outs – That’s the end of the game.
I hope this information is useful for any foreign visitors who want to enjoy the intricacies of a traditional English game. Now these rules have been explained to me however, I’m no longer embarrassed by not understanding the game!
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
Hi John,
Well I’m glad you cleared that up for me…
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
It's simple Mandy, once you know the rules.
John[Reply]
Hi John,
Cricket is not really my thing BUT
[Reply]
Hi John,
OOP`S, sorry about the clitche in the last commet, what i was trying to say is criket is not usually my thing BUT, i too love to cycle i sometimes go it alone or go along with a friend i love the freedom of it, great post though, as i do love nostalgia!
Cheers John…Ed.
You know what they say Ed, nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
John[Reply]
Hi John,
Thats funny, now I am clear on the rules. You sure there’s nothing in the rules about alcohol? I actually played once at a childhood birthday party. Not sure what we did, but I swung a wood bat at a ball. Close enough to baseball for me!!!
Have a Great Day,
Mike
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John McNally
Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
That’s what I’ve always thought Mike, Baseball is basically Cricket but you hold the bat differently.
I think the main rule about alcohol for both games, is that you drink plenty, and have a nice sleep through all the boring bits. 
John
[Reply]
Thanks John,
I’ve seen that one before. It’s on a plaque on the wall at our Cricket Association headquarters. Basically it is correct, but it fails to make mention of the other two who are out for the entire match and only get in at breaks (the Umpires). And there are another two who remain in at all times, scribble on paper and occasionally wave to the two who are out (the Scorers).
Cricket is the excuse you give for drinking with your mates after the game. It also has a medicinal quality to take away the aches and pains.
Don
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John McNally
Reply:
May 10th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I thought you might have seen this before Don as you’re a cricket referee and will have seen all sorts of variations on the rules. These rules are good for a laugh, something I must admit I wouldn’t normally associate with cricket.
John
Leamington Spa, England
[Reply]
Haha, that’s brilliant!
Seems I’m a little late in the day on this thread but only just found it. Wish I’d seen something like this in my local pub, would’ve gone on our website straight away – great find and post!
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John McNally
Reply:
May 10th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I’m surprised you haven’t come across this before Jon, but I’m glad you found your way here. You are welcome to use this on your cricket website if you wish, with my compliments.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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