Street cricket

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Street cricket is essentially the stripped down version of the most popular game in India, cricket. It is a rage almost everywhere in the Indian subcontinent and in a few islands in the English-speaking Caribbean. In the countryside, dried lakes, and river beds are often used as playgrounds for cricket. People typically play street cricket in narrow bylanes, streets, and ghettos. The size of the road or traffic does not hinder the progress of a game; kids often wait for the traffic to clear before playing consecutive deliveries. Bandhs (strikes), when the main roads are devoid of traffic, provide an occasion for kids to take over wide open spaces for a day.

1 Rules
2 Toss
3 Umpires
4 Terms
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Rules

The game requires a very minimal monetary investment with the mandatory entities being a ball and shovelled piece of wood called the bat / stumps. Tennis balls, specially made for cricket and slightly heavier than usual tennis balls are normally used. (Rubber balls are sometimes preferred because they are cheaper.) Used broom sticks or canes serve as stumps at the batsman's end while a piece of brick serves as the stumps at the bowler's end. When sticks and canes are not readily available, two stones with a gap of around 10 inches are kept on the ground. The players then assume the stumps to be at an imaginary height (usually above the waist level of the batsman). This leads to many interesting events as to whether the ball would have hit the stumps or not had the had the stumps been there for real. Sometimes the stumps are drawn on the walls.: the advantages being, there isn't a need for a wicket keeper and the ball doesn't run away even when the batsman misses.

An interesting aspect of street cricket are the rules that apply while playing. These rules have been devised to cause the least public inconvenience while playing. Several innovative rules (e.g. Current, Half-crease, One-Man Gaaji, Last-Man Gaaji) are seen in Street Cricket, which make the game more interesting. While hitting a ball as far as you can in a cricket stadium is rewarded by runs, doing the same might shatter a few glass panes and thus put the future of the match in jeopardy. Hence batsmen with ultra aggressive instincts stand a very good chance of getting out very soon. Each venue carries its importance when the Wall-Catch rule comes into play. This game is also played in most school grounds during the breaks.

[edit] Toss

Coin Toss : This is the normally used toss where one random player (the "captain", typically the tallest member of the team) flips a coin and the opponent team "captain" calls. The team which wins it definitely chooses to bat first irrespective of pitch conditions, team strength etc.

In Or Out : The more innovative toss used when the team players have no coin to flip. A small piece of stone (dimension 5 - 10 mm diameter) is placed in the web between the thumb and the index finger. The team captain rotates his entire hand at a fast rate and finally asks the question, " In or Out". The opposing team captain has to guess whether the toss object (the same stone) is still in the hand or has been thrown out. If he guesses right he wins, otherwise he loses the toss. The best part of this toss is that the probability is always 0.5 since no human eye can track with certainty either the slipping of the tossed object or the presence of it between the fingers.

Flat or Dome : One more in the series of innovative methods of toss, when the players have a bat which resembles a cricket bat (one with a flat side and the other with a slight dome), the toss is done the following way. The bat is tossed in the air, the captains need to call whether the flat/the dome side of the bat is going to face upwards. Whomsoever calls it right wins the toss.

[edit] Umpires

Umpires are invariably from the batting side, and function on a rotating basis. Umpiring is a phenomenal source of controversy in Street Cricket, particularly because of this feature. Batsman usually umpire until their turn to bat comes. Sometimes, umpires may be changed very often.

[edit] Terms

Street Cricket is also known for its usage of amusing terms, a few of which are given below. Most of the terms here, which are attributed to a Tamil etymology, are in fact closer to Madras Bashai. These terms can also be heard in many parts of Tamil Nadu.

Atitail: Etymology English - Refers to a batsman being 'Retired' (hurt or not). Probably a corruption of 'Add at tail' or 'Hurt Retired'. Normally in a limitied overs (say, 10 overs) match to give everyone a chance to bat, a batsman call 'Atitail' and gives way for the next person.
All - reals..first ball: Etymology English - Before an innings starts, a couple of trial balls (See Trials below) are traditionally bowled, to get a feel for the bounciness of the pitch. Any runs scored or outs during the Trial balls don't count. When the bowler decides that the Trials are over, he/she declares "All - reals... first ball" which indicates that any runs/outs hereafter will count. This indicates the start of the match. Usually the batsman prefer to play "dokku".
Alwa: - Etymology Tamil. From "Halwa". Refers to an exotic south Indian delicacy from Thirunellveli. - A synonym of pazha catch. Refer pazha catch below.
Arakuzhi: Etymology Tamil - Refers to a short pitch delivery, pitched around mid distance between stumps
Azhuguni: Etymology Tamil. One who indulges in all wrong doings to win a game. One who doesnt follow the rules and creates his own rules. Few examples include calling any ball as wide if he doesnt like, calling No Balls for his own wishes etc etc
Automatic Wicketkeeper: Etymology English - This indicates that a wicketkeeper is assumed to be standing behind the stumps. No person is placed in that position due to lack of fielders. If the batsman nicks the ball and it goes behind the stumps, he is out caught by the automatic wicketkeeper.
Avissat: Etymology English(Howzzat!!) - Appeal to Umpire for out (run out, catch, etc) Howzzat itself comes from "How was that?"
Baby/Mini Over: Etymology English - When a bowler has no hopes of completing his over with lots of wides and no balls he is substituted by a better bowler and the over is called a Baby over (usually lasting 3 balls), Baby because the first bowler was very amateur.
Ball Match: Etymology English - A match played such that the winning side takes the ball home.
Ball Right: Etymology English - When a umpire/batsman declares a wide ball, bowler uses this term to say that the ball was not a wide. Typically happens because umpires are from the batting teams.
Ball Up: Etymology English - When the ball is beyond the reach of the fielders and external assistance from pedestrians or motorists is required then this call of duty is used to hail any help to retrieve the ball.
Bet Match: Etymology English - A match played such that the winning side collects a predetermined prize money from the losing team.
Bongu: Etymology Tamil - The slang word used if a team unfairly cheats the other team while playing.
Boundary out: If the batsmen hits the ball without pitching in the ground, directly into any of the surrounding houses, a boundary is assumed to have been hit, and the bastman is considered out. This rule is to prevent losing the ball when a particularly rude neighbor does not let the players into the house to retrieve the ball.
By-Runner: The street cricket version of our conventional runner who runs if a batsman is hurt or cant run properly
Chain Over: Etymology English - When a bowler bowls two continuous overs. Typically happens when captains fail to calculate correctly the number of overs in the absence of electronic score cards
Common Fielding: Etymology English - Due to lack of number of fielders, it is possible that people from batting team who are not actually doing batting have to field or do wicket keeping or for that matter even umpiring
Current: Etymology English - The unique and distinctive way of getting a batsman run out. When a batsman attempts a dangerous run, he could be run out by any of the fielders who just need to hold the ball in hand and land their feet on the stone at the bowlers end (hence run out by 'conduction', as opposed to hitting the stumps at the bowlers end).
Cut-n-Run or Tip-n-Run: Etymology English, sometimes distorted into Tiffin run: Etymology English - Here the batsman has to run if the ball hits the bat.
Dead Ball: Etymology English - if during the course of play the ball is lost it is declared to be 'dead'. Until the ball is declared 'dead',the batsman is free to take as many runs as he can.
Declared: Etymology English - Same as 'Granted'.
Dokku: Etymology Tamil - A derogatory term for a defensive shot. Typically a batsman is discouraged from playing such shots because of the constraints of less number of overs and because everyone in the team needs to have a fair amount of gaaji (An onomatopoeic origin can be ascribed based on the sound a ball makes on contact with the bat for a defensive shot)
Double Gaaji: Etymology Tamil and English - An exceptional scenario wherein a batsman can bat twice if there are a shortage of players in the side.
Double-side batsman: Etymology English - When the total number of players is odd, one player is declared as Double-side batsman. Typically this person keeps the wicket and will not be allowed to bowl. Also known as inter-pinter
Double-side out: Etymology English - This means that only a single batsman is running and can be out when thrown at either end, immaterial of which end he runs to. (See also Half-crease).
Erangaradhu: Etymology Tamil - Same as 'Erradhu',but to play defensive shots. Exactly opposite in the literal sense!
Erradhu: Etymology Tamil - Stepping out of the crease, to play offensive shots.
Friendly Match: Etymology English - A match played between teams before they are ready for 'bet' or 'ball' matches. Its usually played to assess the strength of a new or unknown team. Its normal practice that losing teams of friendly matches do not entertain 'bet' or 'ball' matches.
Full Cover: Etymology English - A situation where in a batsmen is taking a half stump guard thereby covering the complete stumps from the view of the bowler. Since street cricket typically do not have a LBW it is very difficult to get a batsman out, if he covers the stump fully
Full fast: Etymology English - Since street cricket pitches are a few yards long, a ball which is thrown with full pace and energy is considered a no ball as it will be impossible to handle such pace with short distance
Fashtapeel: Etymology English (Fast Appeal) - Same as 'full fast' when the batsman appeals for the ball to be disregarded since it was fast. Controversial term since it invariably comes into play when the batsman plays a 'Sothai' shot and ends up getting bowled or caught and resorts to Fashtapeeel.
Gaada (Up-it): Etymology Tamil - The Tamil word for "Club" or "Mace". Batsman who wants hit all of the balls, out of the playing area.
Gaaji: Etymology Tamil and English - Comes from 'Taking guard' - The Indian reference for an 'innings', usually for batting. It is a well known fact that captains of street cricket teams always prefer to bat first irrespective of conditions. A team batting is said to have had its 'gaaji' and a team which did not bat can get their 'gaaji' the next day
Gaaji mannan: Etymology Tamil - Literally means king of 'innings'. Used to denote a batsman who wastes away deliveries, focussing on playing out deliveries, rather than playing for the team's cause.
Gaajikaaran Munuswami: Etymology Tamil - A Gaajikaaran Munuswami is a batter who hogs the strike and doesn't let anyone else bat. Unlike a Gaaji Mannan, a Gaajikaaran Munuswami may actually contribute quite a bit to the team score and doesn't always play defensively. However, the archtypical Gaajikaaran Munuswami will invariably score a single in the last ball of every over, so that he can continue to bat for the next over. Comes from 'gaaji', 'kaaran' (Tamil for 'person') and 'Munuswami', who was an infamous groundskeeper of the Chennai Cricket Grounds between the early 1920s and 1960s, and was legendary for exhibiting this sort of behaviour.
Gabbai: Etymology Unknown. When a fielder or wicket keeper misses a catch or is sloppy on the field he is referred to as a "Gabbai". In a sentence "Avan sama gabbai da". Gondhu and Gabba can be used alternatively. "Avan Gondhu uttaan" is same as "avan Gabbai uttaan"
Gilli: Etymology tamil. Derived from game gilli dhandam played in the streets - Refers the stumps or bails in cricket. Usage: gilli egirichu meaning 'stumps flew' to describe act of being 'clean bowled' in cricket.
Goal: Etymology English - When a fielder misfields the ball, such that the ball slips through his feet. Also see Nandu pidikiradhu (Etymology Tamil).
Granted: Etymology English - When a batsman hits a reasonable distance from which fetching the ball back is slightly difficult due to technical difficulties already mentioned (like vehicle crossing a road, presence of a thorny bush etc) , teams agree that a fixed number of runs are GRANTED. Usually, "1G", "2G" etc, indicating the number of runs granted.
GudOva: Etymology English - A Good over. Also said when a maiden over is bowled.
Half - Crease: Etymology English - Half way down the distance between the two creases. If the 'Double - Side out' rule is not used in case of a 'last man gaaji', then half crease is used to determine which end is the danger end is closer to the batsman, if one needs to run him out. The batsman is out only of he is runout on the end he is closer to.
Hit the bats after each ball (no term used): This is the usual practice followed by the batsmen in the middle. This gives little time to take breath and also signal for a quick singal (single) in the next ball. The best part is even if they don't want to discuss anything, they still need to hit the bats. If they miss or doesn't do it properly, they have to come back and make sure that they hit properly. Nice practice
'Idea' bowling: Etymology English - Type of play in restricted over games when a bowler bowls a slightly widish delivery to one side that cannot be called 'wide' by umpire as the batsman has moved way too much to the other side. (usually due to his style of batting)
'Idea' batting: Etymology English - Type of play When batsman changes his 'hand' (right to left or vice versa) after delivery of the ball to hit it to take advantage of the fielding setup. In some versions of street cricket, batsman can be called 'out' or a 'bongu' is called which can cause interruption in the game to better interpret the accepted rules.
'Idea' running: Etymology English - Type of play, when a runner crosses in predetermined fashion to the other side to get strike for the next delivery. Usually done to fast bowlers who are keeping a weaker batsman in strike without trying to get them out. In this case, the weaker batsman gets a 'stern warning' from the captain after couple of dokkus to comply with runner and attempt to cross to the other side without touching the ball. The batting side is happy as long as runner reaches safely. If the batsman does not comply, the captain will strategically force a 'by runner'; the fielding captain can call a 'bongu' if its a critical stage of the game.
'Idea' fielding: Etymology English - Type of play when a good fielder purposely misses the catch of a weak batsman, if he can run out the better batsman(runner). Also happens, when a ball is hit into bushes (ball not visible) the fielder appears to search even after finding the ball simply to force the batting side to attempt another run only to effect a run-out.
'Idea' Mani: Etymology English. Mani refers to a common tamil name. - An intelligent player in the team who always comes up with ideas. Sometimes used in derogatory context to refer to someone who always comes up with ideas that won't materialize.
Joker/Uppukuchappa/Jack: Etymology Tamil (oppuku chappaani) - The odd man who doesn't get to be in either of the teams. He gets to bat twice, but has to field twice, & doesn't get to bowl. It could also be someone who wants to join the game when it has already started.
Joot: Etymology Unknown - A call to resume play, pronounced after a period of Waitees.
Kappai/Kaava: Etymology Unknown - Poor fielding resulting in a ball slipping through between the legs or worse still a catch being dropped. Probably derived from the Tamil word for ditch/gutter.
Just-a-miss/Just-la-miss: Etymology English - When the bat misses the ball, after a heavy heave by the batsman. Invariably this comment comes from the batsman, even if the bat misses the ball by a big margin.
Kattai/Kattai Podradhu: Etymology Tamil - Same as Dokku...Wasting overs by playing non-scoring shots.
Kichan: Etymology Unknown - When there is a mismatch in the number of players, the team having lesser number of persons is provided a kichan, i.e., any person from the team can bat again.
Kuththaradhu: Etymology Tamil - When the bowler is hitting the deck hard.
La Ball: Etymology English - Last ball of an over. Also other derivatives available viz. La One , La Two to refer to the last but 1 ball, last but 2 balls.
Last Man Gaaji: Etymology partly English - A scenario where the last man who is not out with all wickets down gets to play "Gaaji" with no runner. It must be noted that, the fielding team can effect run outs on both the stumps when there is Last Man Gaaji
Mattai: Etymology Tamil - The piece of wood to be used as the cricket bat. Need not confirm to geometrical trivialities. It also means when a batsman play very defensively for a long time and not scoring runs.
Maanga: Etymology Tamil - When a bowler bowls a very fast ball (usually a full toss, which is almost a throw) it is called maanga. This usually leaves the batsman badly hurt (Unda vaangarathu) because he uses FULL COVER tactics. Originated from the act of throwing stones on to mango trees to fetch mangoes.
Mokka: Etymology English - Batsman plays very slow Same as kattai.
Nandu Pidikarathu: Etymology Tamil - A fielder mis fields the balls many times before holding on it firmly. Nandu in tamil means Crab and "Nandu Pidikarathu" basically means catching a crab.
Nokkardhu: Same as Dokku
One Side Fielding: Same as One Side Runs
One Side Runs: Etymology English - When teams decide before hand that there are runs only on one side of the wicket due to lack of sufficient number of fielders or obvious field limitations like a wall on the leg-side or traffic on the off-side
One-Pitch Catch: Etymology English - A rule where a batsman gets out when a fielder catches it after the ball pitches only once. Typically street cricket batsmen do not go for lofted shots fearing to get out (refer the first paragraph to know why lofted shots are not allowed in street cricket). This rule is believed to master the defensive strokes in basmen.
One-Pitch One-Hand: Etymology English - A slight modification of the above rule where a fielder can use both hands to catch a ball 'full toss' but has to use only one hand to catch the one that is 'One - Pitch'. Typically used to increase the chances of batsman's survival
One Dick or One D: Etymology English - Commonly used term for 'One run declared'. When the ball hits any obstruction in the field, one run is granted to the batting team. There is no need for the batsmen to cross the crease. If the obstruction is at a long distance, it could be Two Dick (two runs declared) or Three Dick (three runs declared)
One G: Etymology English - Same as One Dick, the term for 'One run granted'
Oppukku Chappani / Chappan / Chappa: Etymology colloquial tamil - A player who is included in the game just for the sake of being included. Usually happens when the two teams are well balanced and there is no match for a weaker player who has to be included for the game to continue. He is usually not allowed to bowl and almost all of his actions are inconsequential to the outcome of the game. However if he takes a catch or effects a run out while fielding the batsman is declared out. Several scenarios can force or warrant including such a player; Eg. Scenario 1: A visiting cousin of a talented local player. Such a cousin is usually underage or not very talented but if he is not included in the game, the local player is also not allowed to play cricket by their parents/family. Scenario 2: Oppukku chappan is included in the middle of a progressing game, if such a person has been watching the game in the sidelines and ball is torn or lost. The oppukku chappan has a spare ball to contribute to continue the game, but insists he should be included! He can join the game and bat next, but cannot implicate the results of the ongoing match.
Osi Gaaji: Etymology Unknown, partly English - A scenario where some stranger wants to bat for a couple of balls just for fun and then carry on with his work. Osi is actually O.C. an acronym for "on company" which refers to freeloading on your company's resources thanks to loops and holes in the administration.
Over Gaaji: Etymology Unknown - The act of a selfish batsman who purposely retains strike by taking a single of the last ball of the over to enjoy more "Gaaji"ing
Over-base: Etymology English - Number of overs per side.
Pazha catch: Etymology Tamil - Absolute sitter of a catch (pazham - fruit)
Plum Out: Etymology English - From the word Plumb meaning adjacent. Used to refer to a batsmen getting out in a trivial manner but not awarded out by the umpire ( from the batting side) . This word is originally used in Cricket to for LBW outs.
Potta bongu: Etymology tamil - Bongu taken to an extreme. Usually results in the stoppage of the game wherein each team decides they won the game.
Return Declare: Etymology Unknown - Same as 'Atitail'. But sometimes used, when a batsman crosses a stipulated number of runs say 20 or bats for stipulated number of balls so that others can get a share of gaajiing
Sign Match: Etymology English - A match played such that, every member of the losing team signs in a paper that they have lost the game to the winning side. Usually played when teams do not agree to ball or bet matches, or when teams want to assess the other teams strength.
Soththai: Etymology Tamil - Usually an adjective used to describe a bad or useless object. This could be soththai batsman, soththai ball (which indicates that the ball is dead which could be either due to wear and tear or because of an improper bounce).
Stumpit: Etymology English - Stumped!
Sundu: Etymology Tamil - A great forefather of the now popular supersub rule, this rule can be used if a Sothai (poor or bad) batsman's innings has to be played by a good batsman
Suthuradhu: Etymology Tamil - Same as slogging in cricket towards the deck.
Team ball: Etymology English - When every member contributes to the cost of the ball or when a ball is purchased from team kaasu.
Team kassu: Etymology tamil/English - Excess funds after the purchase of the team ball goes into team kaasu maintained by a designated treasurer.
Thadavuradhu: Etymology Tamil - (In the context of cricket) When a batsman is not able to make any contact with the ball using his bat. (Similar to played and missed)
Thuchees: Etymology Unknown - When batsman/any fielder gets distracted from the game due to highly technical reasons like a vehicle crossing the road when a ball is bowled (with the pitch perpendicular to the road)
Thundu-Gaji: Etymology Tamil. (Same as OC-Gaji). Also, sometimes a batsman has to take a short break (usually because his mother has called him home to drink his evening milk/coffee), another player on his team (usually a greedy fellow who's already out) bats in his stead for a few balls. It is a source of endless argument whether runs made by this other batsman count and whether the original player is out if this guy gets out.
Tip: Etymology English. When the batsman snicks (edges) one to the wicket keeper.
Trials: Etymology English - This is the first ball bowled in the match and it is called trials. It is used to gauge the pace and bounce of the pitch and the ball by both batsman and the bowler. Note: The batsman is not supposed to hit this ball, else the fielding side will demand him to go and fetch the ball. It's a kind of tactic by the fielding team to not allow the batsman to free his arms.
Throw: Etymology English - Batsman appeals for the manga throw by the bowler.
Tree catch: Etymology English - Usually trees are the passive audience for these matches, this is a rule which says that the batsmen is out when the ball is caught after it hits/comes out of the tree.
Tube ball: Etymology English - Product of an ingenious technique of ball making that has been passed on for generations. A ball is made out of cardboard that is rolled up and wound by several layers of thin pieces of cycle tube to create a perfectly smooth bouncing ball. Only done when there is an acute shortage of funds to buy a new ball.
Two-G (2g): This basically is 2 runs Granted. This basically happens when the ball runs into a thorn bush or falls into a pond and the fielder cant pick it up easily. Two G spots are well marked so as to avoid a confrontation between the teams. Even if the ball does not go deep into the bush and is easily visible or retrivable, it is declared 2-G under the clause "Benefit of doubt in favour of the batsman"
Undai: Etymology Tamil - An instance of batsman being hit by a Maanga. Usually a Soththai batsman employs this technique to prevent being bowled over although it might leave him hurt.
Under arms: Etymology English - The bowler is allowed only to bowl the ball under arms especially in hand cricket.
Upeeeet (Up-it): Etymology partly English - When the batsman, usually the Sothai hits the ball in the air, it is a common practice for all the fielders to scream Upeeet encouraging the fielder in the closest proximity to the ball to catch ittrsd
Uruturadhu: Etymology Tamil - When the bowler is unable to extract any meaningful bounce from the pitch. Sometimes used as a defensive tactic towards the deck.
Vatta Bowl: Etymology Punjabi, but used in most of North India and Pakistan - Vatta means "rock" in Punjabi. Indicates chucking by the bowler (Murali style). Also pronounced as "Vatta Ball".
Waiteees: Etymology Unknown - Same as 'Thuchees'. Antonym: Joot.
Waits for the crease: Etymology English - Same as 'Waits', but applicable only to batsman.
Wall catch/Wall-pitch/Wall-pitch-out: Etymology English - When the rules dictate that a ball caught after directly hitting the wall may be considered as "one-pitch catch".
"Win the match": A phrase used after a match has been won by a team. No idea, why it is "Win the match" and not "Won the match"!