Cricket has more formats and terms than most sports, and a newcomer can feel lost before the first over. This guide explains the three main formats, how innings and overs work and the words you will meet before you read any sports section.
A cricket match is played in innings. Each side bats in turn, trying to score runs while the other side bowls and fields. A side's innings ends after ten wickets or when its allotted overs are used up. The format sets the number of overs, and so the length of the match.
Each format shares the same basic rules but differs in length, so the pace and tactics change. Knowing the format is the first step toward reading any match.
The longest format, with each side batting twice over up to five days. The result comes from the total runs across both innings, or a draw if time runs out.
Usually called ODIs, these give each side up to 50 overs. Each team bats once, so the first innings total sets the target for the side batting second.
Called T20 for short, these give each side up to 20 overs. The pace is fast, so the early overs can shape the result.
A batter is out when a recognised dismissal happens, and a side is all out after ten wickets. Runs come from hitting the ball and running between the wickets, from boundaries or from extras. The match ends when its format's rules say it does.
Dismissals include being bowled, caught and leg before wicket. A side loses a wicket each time a batter is out, and the umpire makes the call.
Runs come from running between the wickets, from boundaries and from extras such as wides and no-balls.
A Test can end in a result after both innings, or in a draw when time runs out. ODIs and T20s end when the overs are used or the target is passed.
This guide explains the cricket formats itself. For sports questions, help.stake.com has a sports section, and account or payment questions go to Stake's support channels.
help.stake.com has a sports section. Read it alongside this guide before you look at any sports selection.
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The format rules here describe cricket in general. This guide does not describe how any Stake sports selection is settled, and it does not list which cricket events are offered.
Overs, innings, wickets and match lengths are general cricket rules that shape every format.
The sports section of Stake's help centre is the reference for anything Stake-specific.
The cricket words newcomers meet first, with plain definitions.
Six legal balls bowled by one bowler from one end of the pitch. The number of overs in an innings depends on the format.
One side's turn to bat. In a Test each side can bat twice, while in limited-overs formats each side bats once.
A dismissal of a batter. Ten wickets end a side's innings.
A four, when the ball reaches the rope along the ground, or a six, when it clears the rope without bouncing. Both add runs to the batting side.
Short answers about the three formats and the terms a new player needs first.
Length and structure. Tests last up to five days with two innings a side, ODIs give 50 overs a side and T20s give 20 overs a side.
Up to five days, with each side batting twice in the normal course of play.
No. This page covers the rules of the game only. It does not describe how any sports selection works or is settled.
The sports section of the help centre at help.stake.com covers sports topics. Use it alongside this guide.
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