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Unlike baseball, there are significantly more points scored in cricket. This is because a single strike of the ball can result in up to six points if the ball goes over the fence, for example. The basis of the game features a bowler who will run 10 to 12 steps towards the batsman and bowls the ball. Delivery takes place about 60 feet from batsmen, same as baseball.

The batsmen uses a flat and much wider bat used to strike the ball (get a “shot” or “stroke”). The flat wide surface of the bat allows the batsmen to put considerable control on the ball’s trajectory. In addition, they can put the ball in play 360 degrees around them. Batsmen have one main goal: scoring points. Standing behind the batsmen is a defender, similar to a catcher in baseball, called a wicket-keeper.

Now, the bowler is trying to either induce a shot that will be fielded by one of the other nine fielders or strike the wicket, to cause outs. The wicket is basically a unit comprised of three stumps topped by crosspieces (something that looks like this “III”). The three primary ways of getting out are either a fielder catches the ball, or the batsman misses and the ball hits the wicket, or lastly, when fielder touches wicket with the ball as the batsman runs from side to side, called a run out.

A game consists of 50 overs (one over is six legal bowls) which is 300 bowls. A batting team has the opportunity to score up to 450 points within those 50 overs, but if 10 outs are achieved the bowling team will have their turn to bat. And for example, if the first team scores 225 points, the opposing team will win if
they score more than 225 points within 50 overs.

Cricket has formally existed since the 17th century. The game places a high premium on etiquette and sportsmanship.

Amrit Sharma said, “Cricket is called a gentlemen’s sport because it is one of the only games that you do not have to touch any other members of your team or opponents.”

Sharma’s hope is to get the Cricket ball “bowling.” A formal game of cricket lasts all day, but students such as Amrit hope only to get an informal version of the game together and have a chance to play for an hour or two.

Now, at the end of my crash course in Cricket, I have a newfound respect for the sport. There is a significant amount of strategy and athleticism required to play. Its constituents do not routinely spit tobacco or charge the mound after a wild pitch, but there is a level of excitement in its own right. Already the interest level at Hamline has been greater than expected.

“As a student from India where cricket is a household game, actually more like a religion, I did not expect people here at Hamline to be interested in it at all. I was wrong.” Amrit told me.

“I look forward to meeting anyone who has an interest in this sport; and my hope is that down the line cricket will become an intramural sport.”