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!
