Under arm Cricket: The oldest form of Cricket

Under arm cricket is one of the oldest forms of cricket. It was discovered in England but is mostly played in India. Yearly, thousands of under-arm tournament take place all over the country, with prize money ranging from Rs. 2,000 to 50,000. Under arm cricket is preferred over ‘Gully’ cricket because of many reasons. Many people prefer it because it’s less tiring as the period of the game is also small. The game may last up to a maximum of 45 minutes.

While playing an under arm match, a team should have 11 players fielding, including a wicket keeper and a bowler. Two boxes are drawn either side of the wicket from which the bowler has to stand and deliver the ball. A bowler can spin the ball but he cannot lift his legs while bowling, he can lift his legs only after the ball has bounced on the pitch. If he lifts his leg before the ball is pitched, then that delivery is declared as a no ball. To get a player out, the bowler can bowl him, get him stumped, run him not, or catch him out. If a player hits the ball directly out of the under arm ground, he is given out, but if it is a no ball and the player hits outside the ground then it is declared as six.

Now let’s take a look through some of the rules followed by the tournament organizing body during an under arm tournament:-

Rules of under arm cricket:-

1) The size and length of the ground is decided by the organizing party with prior agreement from all the participating team captains.

2) Before the start of the match, both the captains have to give the name of all the 11 players to the umpire.

3) If there are fewer players in both sides, then the game can go on with the available players, but match can’t go on with more than 11 players.

4) The game mostly consists of 6 to 10 overs.

5) Three wooden sticks are erected vertically with bails and are declared as wickets. Wickets are placed on both side of the pitch.

6) Pitch is divided into two by a white line; if balls pitch inside the pitch half that is towards the bowler then it is considered as a no ball.

7) The ball used during the match should be new and weigh between 5.5 oz. to 5.75 oz. and the ball’s circumference must be between 8 13/16 to 9 inches.

8) Two bats are to be used during the match, if two bats are not available then runner can use a stick or any other equipment (Both team should agree on the equipment).

9) During match a bowler can bowl 6 balls per over.

10) A batsman can score runs by hitting the ball down the ground.

11) Runs are awarded for wide balls and no balls (1 run is awarded).

12) If the ball gets past the boundary line, then it is declared as four.

13) If both the batsmen successfully run between the wickets for one time, then 1 run is awarded and soon on.

14) After the end of the first innings, the runs scored by the team batting first are declared as target for the second team.

15) If the other team has to win the match, then they have to score the target in the given overs (That is same for both team).