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Cricket Guides

Plain-English explainers on formats, rules, statistics and how to follow the game.

PRI
Powerplay Rules in Cricket: Fielding Restrictions in T20 and ODIs
RSA
Reverse Sweep and Ramp Shots Explained: Cricket’s Improvised StrokesImprovised batting strokes · Limited-overs cricket, especially T20
RSE
Reverse Swing Explained: How and Why It WorksSwing towards the shiny side · Old, one side rough and the other polished
SBE
Seam Bowling Explained: How Seamers Move the Ball Off the PitchPace and medium-pace bowling · Ball deviates after landing on the seam
SBG
Spin Bowling Guide: Off-Spin, Leg-Spin and Left-Arm VariationsOff-spin, leg-spin, left-arm orthodox, left-arm unorthodox · Googly, doosra, flipper, carrom ball
SRA
Strike Rate and Economy Rate Explained: How to Read Cricket StatsRuns per 100 balls faced · Balls bowled per wicket
SOR
Super Over Rules Explained: How a Tied Limited-Overs Match Is SettledTied limited-overs matches · Six (one over)
TAE
The Ashes Explained: Origins, the Urn and Famous SeriesEngland and Australia · 1882, after Australia won at The Oval
TDM
The DLS Method Explained: How Rain-Affected Targets Are Set
TFR
The Follow-On Rule Explained: When and Why It Is EnforcedMulti-innings cricket (Test and first-class matches) · 200 runs
TFH
The Free Hit Rule in Cricket: When It Applies and How Batters Can Be OutLimited-overs cricket (ODI and T20) · Test cricket
THF
The Hundred Format Explained: Rules, Sets and Strategy100 balls per side · 2021
TIP
The Impact Player Rule ExplainedTactical substitution in T20 matches · Indian Premier League and Indian domestic T20 events
TLR
The LBW Rule Explained: When Is a Batter Out Leg Before Wicket?
TRO
The Role of the Third Umpire in CricketOff the field, with video replay access · 1992, South Africa v India
TTI
The Toss in Cricket: How It Works and Why It MattersBefore the start of play · The two captains
TOB
Types of Bowling in Cricket: Pace, Swing, Seam and Spin Explained
USE
Umpire Signals Explained: What Every Cricket Gesture MeansCommunicating decisions to scorers and spectators · On-field umpires
UAM
Umpires and Match Referees Explained: Who Does What in CricketTwo · Third umpire, fourth umpire and match referee in international matches
WAB
Ways a Batter Can Be Out in Cricket: Every Dismissal ExplainedBowled, caught, lbw, run out · Hit wicket, hit the ball twice, obstructing the field, timed out
WIA
What Is a Googly? How the Wrist-Spinner’s Disguised Delivery WorksWrist-spin variation · Into a right-handed batter (from a right-arm leg-spinner)
WOP
Why Opening Partnerships Matter in CricketNumbers 1 and 2 in the order · Handle the new ball and set the tempo
WBS
Wicketkeeping Basics: Stance, Gloves, Catching and StumpingGloves and external leg guards (keeper only) · Behind the stumps
WBR
Wide Ball Rules in Cricket: How Umpires Judge a WideLaw 22 of the Laws of Cricket · One run plus any runs completed
WCT
Women’s Cricket Tournaments: An Overview1973 (England) · 2009
WTC
World Test Championship Explained: Format, Points and FinalsInternational Cricket Council (ICC) · 2019 to 2021