Indoor cricket

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Indoor cricket is a variant of cricket. The first six-a-side games were created by Frank Kristan and were played in 1979 at the Balcatta Indoor Cricket Centre in Balcatta. The first eight-a-side games were created by Paul Hanna and were played at the Indoor Cricket Arena in Subiaco in 1979. As large indoor playing fields are extremely rare, the game of indoor cricket has been adapted to suit much smaller playing areas. As a result of this, the game is much faster than conventional cricket.

Conventional cricket has been played indoors at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Australia, but that is the only enclosed stadium with a playing area the size of a full-sized cricket field in any major cricket playing country. The remainder of this article is about forms of the game specially adapted to be played indoors.

Contents

[edit] Rules

In terms of the concept of the game indoor cricket follows the usual Laws of Cricket. However, the game itself differs significantly from its traditional counterpart in several ways, most notably on the field of play and the duration of the game.

A match in progress
A match in progress

[edit] The playing arena

The length of an indoor cricket pitch is the same as a conventional cricket pitch, and has 3 stumps at each end, but there the similarities end. The arena is completely enclosed by tight netting, a few metres from each side and end of the pitch. The playing surface is normally artificial grass matting. Whilst the pitch is the same length, however, the batsmen don't have to run the entire length. The striker's crease is in the regulation place in front of the stumps, but the non-striker's crease is only half way down the pitch.

[edit] Players

Indoor cricket is played between 2 teams of 8 players. Each player must bowl 2 overs, and bat in a partnership for 4 overs. A faster version of the game exists (Action 6+), where each side is reduced to 6 players and each innings lasts 12 overs instead of 16.

[edit] Equipment

The stumps used in indoor cricket are not, for obvious reasons, stuck in the ground. Instead, they are collapsible spring loaded stumps that immediately spring back to the standing position when knocked over. The ball used in indoor cricket is a modified cricket ball, with a softer centre. The ball also differs in that it is yellow in colour so to make it more obvious to see indoors against varied backgrounds. Both traditional outdoor cricket bats or more specialised lighter-weight indoor cricket bats may be used.

[edit] Scoring

Diagram of scoring zones
Diagram of scoring zones

Scoring in indoor cricket is split into 2 areas: physical runs and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net. Bonus scores for particular parts of the nets follow:

  • Zone A (front net - behind the keeper): 0 bonus runs
  • Zone B (side nets between the striker's end and halfway down the pitch): 1 run
  • Zone C (side nets between halfway and the bowlers end): 2 runs
  • Zone D (back net - behind the bowler):
    • On the bounce: 4 runs
    • On the full: 6 runs
  • Zone B or C onto Zone D: 3 runs

NB: For bonus runs to be scored, at least one physical run must be scored. The bonus runs are then added to the physical runs.

[edit] Dismissals

A batsman can be dismissed in the same ways they can be in conventional cricket. When a batsman gets dismissed, however, he continues batting, and receives a score of -5. Batsmen bat in pairs for 4 overs at a time, regardless of dismissals.

Mankads

A method of dismissal in indoor cricket that is far more prevalent than its outdoor counterpart is the mankad. A mankad is given out if the bowler completes their bowling action without releasing the ball, breaks the stumps at their end without letting go of the ball and the non-striker is out of their ground.

Unlike outdoor cricket, indoor cricket sees the non-striker gain a significant advantage by leaving their crease before the ball has left the bowler's hand as it gives them less distance to travel in order to make good their ground.[citation needed]

Despite this, the rule remains a controversial one, and any bowler who attempts a mankad (successful or not) will more often than not generate a hostile reaction from their opponent.[citation needed]

LBW

It should also be noted that whilst LBW is still a valid form of dismissal in indoor cricket it is a far rarer occurrence in indoor than it is in outdoor cricket. A batsmen can only be dismissed LBW if they do not offer a shot and the umpire is satisfied that the ball would then have hit the stumps.

In the rare situation where a batsmen offers no shot at all, it is difficult for an umpire to award an LBW decision due to their position behind the batsmen standing on a platform that is usually 3 metres high.

[edit] Indoor cricket in Australia

Indoor Cricket Australia Logo
Indoor Cricket Australia Logo

The governing body for Indoor Cricket in Australia is Indoor Cricket Australia (formerly known as the Australian Indoor Cricket Federation) and is represented in each state by the various state entities.

Within each state and territory there are hundreds of domestic competitions that are played in centres that are generally privately owned, yet affiliated with the state and national bodies.

Each of the affiliated centres generally compete in what is known as Super League in order to contest the State Championships. It is important to note that these competitions are based on centres and are not regional (ie. A Player living in District A could play Superleague for a centre based in District B if that is where they played their domestic competition).

From the participants of the Super League competition each state and territory generally selects a side to compete at the Australian Championships held annually. By extension, the Australian side is selected from participants of the Australian Championships.

In 2008 the Open Men, Open Women, 21/u Men and Lords Taverners shield will be contested at the Australian Open Championships to be held in Ipswich (QLD). The O30, O35, O40 and O45 divisions will be contested at the Australian Masters Championships to be held in Sydney (NSW). Finally, the 18/U Boys, 18/U girls, 16/U Boys and 14/u Boys will be contested at the Australian Junior Championships to be held at Caboolture (QLD).

[edit] Indoor cricket internationally

Whilst Indoor Cricket originated in and is predominantly more popular in Australia, the sport is popular in several other nations that are active on the international level. These nations include England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, and Zimbabwe.

Indoor Cricket Australia is active in supporting these nations in developing the sport internationally and currently presides over the World Indoor Cricket Federation. The positive results of this development focus are reflected in the success of nations such as Sri Lanka and South Africa in recent international tournaments. Sri Lanka and South Africa are the only sides in recent memory to have defeated the Australian Extreme Men's side, whilst South Africa have threatened in the Open Women's division as well has previously holding the title of both Junior Mens' and Junior Women's Champions. Additionally, New Zealand and South Africa have consistently provided a threat on the Open Men level, all signs that the dominance Australia currently enjoys on the international level won't last forever.

[edit] International events

Australian Extreme Logo
Australian Extreme Logo

Each national body selects a national side from their own national championships. The Australian sides (known as Australian Extreme on the Open level, Australian Electric on the junior level, and Australian Elite on the masters level) have dominated the international scene since the early nineties and are currently world champions in every contested division.

[edit] External links

National Bodies

Australian State Bodies

New Zealand Provincial Bodies

Operating Centres

Domestic Clubs

Indoor Cricket Supplies

[edit] See also

Other Links

v • d • e
Forms of cricket
International
Other
Variations