Cricket Scoring
In cricket, scoring is based on getting runs. In order to get a run, the striker or batsman must hit the ball. Then he and a fellow batsman, the non-striker, run to the opposite end of the pitch. When they arrive, the striker must touch the ground behind the popping crease with his bat and the non-striker must touch it with his body--this scores a run.
If the ball was hit so hard it is still in play the two batsmen may run back and do it again to score again. These are runs that are scored by running between the wickets. If a fielder gets the ball and knocks over the batsmen’s wicket, the batsman is out. The fielder with the ball may also run a batsman out from between the wickets, also causing him to be out.
If a batsman hits the ball and it is not far enough down the field or too close to a fielder, he can elect not to run. If he does not run, it simply counts as one of his six chances to hit the ball. If a batsman hits the ball and it goes to the boundary line at the end of the field he has scored four runs at once. These are particularly valued since whichever team scores the most runs during a game wins the game. If the ball is hit over the boundary line at the end of the field six runs are scored.
In cricket scoring, runs can also be made off of extras. An extra is like a bonus situation which can lead to a run. For instance, when a no ball is called, it means the bowler made an illegal delivery. In this case the batsman can still hit the ball and score a run off of it but he cannot be called out off of it. An extra here is one run credited to his team.
Another extra in cricket scoring is called a leg bye. This is when a batsman tries to hit the ball but instead the ball strikes his own body. If he thinks he can run fast enough to the opposing wicket to score a run he can run on the ball. If he is not run out by a fielder with the ball, he does score a run for his team. This type of extra run is called a leg bye.
When a batsman tries to hit a ball but misses, he still may still run between the wickets to try and score a run. This is done when the ball has landed a considerable distance from another player. The only way the batsman is out in this sort of scenario is if he is run out when trying to score. This type of run is called a bye.
A run is scored by means of a wide in cricket as well. A wide is when the ball is too far wide of the batsman for him to be able to hit it. In addition to this free run they are given, the batsman can try to score additional runs if he deems it feasible. If the ball that was wide goes all the way to the boundary, much like a wild pitch going to the backstop in baseball, the batsman’s team is given 4 additional runs for a total of 5 from that one play.
In cricket, scoring a penalty run is recorded if a fielder should catch the ball with his helmet or an article of clothing. Runs can also be scored by the batsman if a fielder overthrows a ball. This would be the same as an error in baseball.