Cricket is a thrill both to play the game and to watch it and its popularity is no less than any sporting event. Cricket is played in a field which has a well-rolled pitch in the center. A pair of wickets are put on the pitch twenty two yard apart and bails on top. A bowling crease and a Popping Crease are marked on either end. It is played between two sides, each having eleven players. One side usually bats first and other side takes the field and places different players at different positions, namely, Third Man, Third-slip, Second-slip, First-slip, Wicket-keeper, Gully, Point, Cover, Extra-cover, Deep-extra-cover, Mid-off, Long-off, Mid-on, Long-on, Mid-wicket, Deep-mid-wicket, Square-leg, Fine-leg. The batting side sends only two players to the wicket, one is the batsman and the other his running mate. Two umpires are engaged to watch over the game and control it. The bowler bowls the ball to the batsman at the other end of the pitch. If the letter hits it, runs to the other wicket and changes place with his mate, he scores one run. A boundary fetches four runs and an over-boundary fetches six runs. The batsman loses the wicket if he hits the ball and it is caught by the fielder. He also may lose the wicket by being "bowled out" and "run out" or "leg before the wicket"or "hit wicket" or "stumped" or "obstruction of fielding". Once a batsman is out, his place is taken by another until the whole side is out. After that the other side turns up for batting side takes to fielding. The side which scores more in two innings or by the end of fixed hours wins the game.
By playing cricket the grip gets stronger, the eye sight keener, the stamina developed and sturdiness of body and mind increases. The game also encourages team spirit, fosters discipline, help to build up character and brings out the quality of leadership.
Cricket on the whole improves the feelings of co-operation, to work together in harmony. Professional players earn a lot of money by playing cricket. Many good players easily get jobs in offices. Hence a good player has a fair chance of getting a job in these hard days.
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