Bluey has released another cracker new episode and for us Aussies it really hits home and brings back many childhood memories. As we live and breathe all things exercise and sport here at the Exercise Physiology Institute, we thought we would explain some of the cricket lingo for those not so familiar with the game.
What is Cricket About?
For those who didn’t grow up playing backyard cricket and spending most of their summers watching test matches, cricket can seem a little boring. Even Bluey doesn’t seem overly interested in playing cricket at the start of the episode “Cricket’s just about hitting a ball around the grass.” Bandit replies with “Cricket’s about more than that, kid.” What does he mean? What is cricket about?
In cricket, fair play, integrity, and adherence to a code of conduct are highly valued. The sport is known for its emphasis on sportsmanship, respect for opponents, and adherence to the rules. Any action that violates these principles, such as cheating, foul play, or unsportsmanlike behavior, is considered “not cricket.” The ethos of cricket encompasses a set of values, principles, and traditions that have been ingrained in the sport for centuries. These values serve as a foundation for how the game is played and how participants conduct themselves on and off the field. The ethos of cricket is often described as a unique spirit that sets it apart from many other sports. The key elements of the ethos of cricket include fair play, sportsmanship, spirit of the game and prioritizing the integrity of the contest rather than solely focusing on winning at all costs, respecting the umpires decision, camaraderie, community and inclusivity.
So now we know what cricket is about, lets discuss the basics of the game and some of the cricket terms or lingo used in the latest Bluey episode.
Cricket Basics
Cricket is a popular sport played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. It is known for its unique rules and involves many intricacies and strategies, making it a fascinating game enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.
Here are some of the basic principles of cricket:
1. Objective: The objective of the game is for one team to score more runs than the opposing team while dismissing their players.
2. Playing Field: Cricket is played on a large oval-shaped field called a cricket ground. In the centre of the ground, there is a rectangular strip called the pitch, where most of the action takes place.
3. Teams and Innings: Each team takes turns batting and fielding. When a team is batting, it is called the batting side. When a team is fielding, it is called the bowling or the fielding side. Each team gets to bat and bowl in designated periods called innings.
4. Runs and Scoring: The batting team scores runs by hitting the ball and running between the two ends of the pitch. The batsmen can also score runs by hitting the ball to the boundary, resulting in four runs, or hitting it over the boundary without the ball touching the ground, resulting in six runs. The team’s score is the cumulative total of the runs scored by its batsmen.
5. Dismissals: The bowling team aims to dismiss the batsmen and get them out. There are several ways to dismiss a batsman, including getting them bowled (when the ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails), caught (when the fielder catches a hit ball before it touches the ground), run-out (when the fielding team successfully removes the bails while the batsman is outside the crease), and more.
6. Bowling: The bowler from the fielding team delivers the ball towards the batsman, aiming to get them out. The bowler must bowl within certain rules, such as keeping their front foot behind the crease and not delivering illegal deliveries like no-balls or wides.
7. Fielding: The fielding team aims to prevent the batting team from scoring runs by fielding the ball and attempting to dismiss the batsmen. The fielders are strategically positioned around the field to stop the ball and attempt catches or run-outs.
8. Formats: Cricket is played in different formats, including Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) cricket. Test cricket is the longest format, played over five days, while ODIs and T20s have limited overs and shorter match durations.
Cricket Terms Used in Bluey Episode Explained
Swing, Spin and Pace Bowling
In cricket, spin, pace, and swing bowling are three different styles of bowling that bowlers use to achieve different types of deliveries and create varying challenges for batsmen. Here’s an explanation of the differences between them:
Spin Bowling
Spin bowling involves the bowler imparting spin on the ball by using their fingers and wrist. The primary objective of spin bowling is to make the ball deviate off its normal trajectory when it bounces on the pitch, confusing the batsman. Spin bowlers typically bowl at a slower pace compared to pace bowlers.
Finger Spin: Finger spinners, also known as off-spinners (for right-handed bowlers) or left-arm orthodox spinners, primarily use their fingers to rotate the ball from the off side to the leg side (for a right-handed batsman). This results in the ball spinning towards the batsman.
Wrist Spin: Wrist spinners, including leg-spinners (for right-handed bowlers) or left-arm unorthodox spinners, rely on their wrists to generate spin on the ball. They impart a mixture of topspin and sidespin, causing the ball to turn in the opposite direction to finger spin. This adds a significant amount of unpredictability to their deliveries.
Pace Bowling
Pace bowling involves the bowler delivering the ball at a high speed, closer to the upper limits of their physical capabilities. Pace bowlers use their natural athleticism, strength, and ability to generate speed to challenge the batsmen with bounce, variations in length, and sheer pace.
Seam Bowling: Seam bowlers focus on landing the ball on the pitch with the seam upright, causing it to bounce and move either off the pitch or in the air. This movement can be unpredictable and challenging for batsmen to handle.
Swing Bowling: Swing bowling is a technique where the bowler tries to make the ball move sideways in the air. The objective is to deceive the batsman with the swing and create opportunities for catches or bowled dismissals. Swing can be achieved through seam position, ball shine, weather conditions, and the bowler’s skill. This movement is primarily achieved by altering the condition of the ball, such as shining one side more than the other or by utilizing the natural aerodynamics of the ball. Swing bowling can include both conventional swing, where the ball moves towards the shiny side, and reverse swing, where the ball moves in the opposite direction to the shiny side.
Many bowlers employ a combination of these styles, using variations in pace, swing, and spin to keep the batsmen guessing and create wicket-taking opportunities. Additionally, different conditions, such as the state of the pitch, weather, and the type of ball being used, can influence the effectiveness of each bowling style.
Six and Out
The “six and out” rule typically applies when a batsman hits the ball over a predetermined boundary, which is usually an imaginary line or a specific object in the backyard, such as a fence, tree, or shed. If a batsman hits the ball over that boundary without it bouncing or touching the ground, they are awarded six runs, which is the highest number of runs that can be scored off a single ball.
However, according to the “six and out” rule, the batsman is also considered out immediately after hitting a six. This means they have to leave the crease and are dismissed, even though they have scored six runs. This rule is implemented to prevent the game from being too one-sided and to ensure that all players get a chance to bat and because it is annoying having to retrieve the ball from the neighbours or the roof.
The “six and out” rule adds an element of excitement and strategy to backyard cricket, as batsmen need to balance the risk and reward of going for a big hit over the boundary while knowing they will be dismissed if they succeed.
Move in Close
The phrase “move in close” generally refers to a tactical decision made by the fielding team to bring the fielders closer to the batsman. This move is often employed in specific situations to create additional pressure on the batsman and restrict their scoring options. Moving fielders in close can serve different purposes depending on the game situation and bowling strategy such as building pressure on batsman, encouraging risky shots, restricting potential scoring area and gaps in the field and when a spinner is bowling.
Pull Shot
The pull shot is an aggressive stroke that allows the batsman to take advantage of a short-pitched delivery and score runs quickly. It requires a combination of timing, technique, and confidence to execute effectively. However, playing the pull shot also carries some risks, as mistimed or misjudged shots can result in catches or even getting bowled or caught behind if the ball is too close to the body.
Square Cut
The square cut is a valuable shot in a batsman’s arsenal, allowing them to score runs off deliveries that are wide outside the off stump. It requires good footwork, hand-eye coordination, and an understanding of timing and placement. However, mistiming the shot can result in edges and potential catches, so it’s important to judge the line and length of the ball accurately.
Gully and Point
In cricket, “gully” and “point” are fielding positions on the off side of the field, primarily used in the sport’s longer formats (such as Test matches and One Day Internationals). They are positions in the inner circle of fielders, closer to the batsman, and are strategically placed to catch or field balls hit in specific directions.
Off Stump
The three stumps are aligned in a straight line and are of equal height. The off stump is the outermost stump, positioned farthest away from the batsman in the direction of the off side of the pitch. The other two stumps are the middle stump, which is in the middle of the three stumps, and the leg stump, which is on the leg side of the pitch.
The off stump plays a significant role in cricket as it serves as a crucial point of reference for both the batsman and the bowler. Batsmen often use the position of the off stump as a reference to determine their stance and alignment while facing the bowler. It helps them judge the line of the delivery and decide which balls to play or leave outside the off stump.
Bowlers, on the other hand, aim to target the off stump or the area around it to create difficulties for the batsman. By bowling deliveries on or just outside the off stump, they can challenge the batsman’s defensive technique and induce edges or force them into playing risky shots.
Rough Wicket
A rough wicket refers to a pitch or playing surface that has uneven, rough, or deteriorated areas. The rough areas on a wicket are usually found on or around the areas where the bowlers’ footprints or landing spots are located. For a right-handed bowler, the rough areas on a traditional cricket pitch are typically on the left side of the pitch, outside the off stump for a right-handed batsman and outside the leg stump for a left-handed batsman.
The rough patches on a wicket can significantly impact the behaviour of the ball when it lands on or passes through those areas. A rough wicket can influence:
- Ball Deviation: When the ball lands on the rough patches, it can deviate from its normal trajectory, bouncing unpredictably or spinning sharply. This can make it challenging for batsmen to judge the line, length, and movement of the ball, increasing the chances of dismissals.
- Increased Spin: Spin bowlers, particularly those who bowl with their fingers (finger spinners), can exploit the rough areas to generate more turn and spin on the ball. The irregular bounce from the rough patches can make it difficult for batsmen to read and play spin deliveries effectively.
- Variable Bounce: The uneven surface of a rough wicket can result in variable bounce, where the ball can bounce at varying heights or unexpectedly shoot through low. This can make it challenging for batsmen to play their shots and can create opportunities for bowlers to deceive the batsmen with awkwardly bouncing deliveries.
- Wear on the Ball: The roughness of the pitch can cause excessive wear on the cricket ball, particularly the seam and the surface of one side. This can impact the ball’s ability to swing or generate movement in the air, as well as affect its grip for spin bowlers.
Playing on a rough wicket requires batsmen to have good judgment, adaptability, and the ability to quickly adjust their shot selection and footwork to counter the challenges posed by the uneven surface. Bowlers, on the other hand, may use the rough areas strategically to exploit the variations in bounce and spin.
So there you go, a run down of the cricket lingo used in the latest Bluey episode. Now you know the basics and some of language you are all set to enjoy the up coming Cricket World Cup and Ashes Series.