Backyard Cricket

Backyard cricket

Cricket is New Zealand’s national summer sport. But it can be difficult to rustle up enough pads, gloves, bats and helmets for a quick afternoon game. And finding a pitch with adequate grass cover and an even bounce is nigh-on impossible. So, as true Kiwis, we improvise. A bucket, boogie board, tree or rubbish bin are all perfectly fine as makeshift stumps. The inconsistent bounce from a backyard pitch also ensures nobody spends too long batting. Best of all, a tennis ball negates the need for any protective gear.

Of course, everyone has their own rules for back yard cricket - and there are too many bizarre variations to list. We recommend agreeing on the basic rules before commencing the game.

Number of players:    2+

What you need:

•   at least 1 cricket bat

•   a few tennis balls (some might go missing)

•   2 sets of stumps (rubbish bins or upside buckets can be used).

Activity:

Set the stumps up about 10 metres apart for older kids, or about 6 metres for littlies.

The batters stump is best put against a fence if in a backyard.

If just two players, choose your batter and a bowler.

If more, your bowlers, two batters, and scatter the rest of the kids around to field the ball.

To avoid squabbles, make sure everyone gets a chance to both bat and bowl.

Backyard cricket is played just like normal cricket - but there are a few different rules to make it fair.

Extra rules:

•   Can't go out first ball - whoever's batting, they can't go out on the first ball (making it fairer for little ones).

•   'Tippity-run' - if the ball is hit even a little, the batters have to run.

•   'One hand - one bounce' - a fielder can catch the batter out with one hand, even after the tennis ball has bounced off a fence or wall.

•   Any wicket out - the batter can be knocked out if either stump is hit.

•   'Six and out' - if the ball is hit over the fence/ house they are awarded six runs - but are also out (this is where the extra balls come in handy).

•   No LBW's (Leg Before Wicket) - it's too tricky and starts arguments - unless Dad or Mum wants to umpire.

•   Automatic runs - pick certain spots in the backyard (like the side of a shed or a fence) and award a certain number of automatic runs to anyone who can hit them.

•   Last one out - the very last batter can keep on going by themselves until caught out.

•   Use an automatic wicket keeper such as fence, side of garage, tree etc

Fielders can be objects too – a hit is an automatic out!

3 non-hits or non-attempts results in an out – boring!