Games & Recreation The Backyard Cricket Thread

[bkozican]

Revenge wicket. If the bowler gets you out, you get an immediate over " Revenge wicket "

 

[Mkcaptain]

You need to make the rules clear before the game starts. There's nothing worse than catching the batsmen one hand off the wall and they refuse to go, I've even seen people question the time honoured one hand one bounce.

Also walk ins are annoying and if someone gives them a bat it constitutes their turn.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Talking about 'right arm over the wicket' not too long ago...

Filled in for a mate's side yesterday, didn't hit or bowl since High School. Ended up bowling a 6 or 7 over spell. Back is mighty sore.

 

[BG32]

Some marbles/rocks on the pitch is allowed

 

[Jackfrost]

There's nothing worse than catching the batsmen one hand off the wall and they refuse to go.

Off the wall as in didn't hit the ground first surely

 

[Mkcaptain]

Off the wall as in didn't hit the ground first surely

Yeah of course.

This thread has reminded me just how fun backyard cricket is. Sadly I haven't had much of a chance to play this summer.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

I still can't play the ball off my legs because as a kid the batsman would be in the corner of the yard, and the only spacious areas to hit the ball were point around to mid-off. Not that I can play many shots at all, mind you. Only just broke the 50 barrier for my club side this season after 11 seasons of trying. Timely, because my bowling as deserted me altogether. Need more backyard practice!!

 

[placebo]

Don't like the idea of universal rules.

-Never played one-hand, one-bounce with my Dad and Brother (serious backyard), as it's far too tacky, but with friends when we're just screwing around, it can be a bit of fun.

- Loved preparing a pitch, we used the neighbours yard across the street as a boundary, meaning we bowled vertically on our front lawn, which meant you could use various different parts of the front lawn as your 'pitch', some parts had longer grass, some parts were specifically mowed into a pitch shape, some parts were sandy, etc

- Auto-wickie, and slips, but with a maximum of three slips.

- We were allowed to run, but most of us got too lazy for it anyway.

- 8-ball overs

- Yes to six and out

- Yes to LBW, but it had to be back foot, low, in line with middle stump…in other words, undeniably plumb.

 

[HBF]

if you can headbutt the ball on the second bounce its out.

can create some funny and dangerous moments espically for in close fielders who go to try to headbutt the ball at the same time.

Never ever heard of that rule for backyard cricket.
Sounds like fun - wish we had've applied that in our games.

 

[stmookeyj]

What's everyone's opinion on the old (usually female) walk ons who just want to have a hit and then leave? I'm pretty harsh on that stuff (especially if the game is serious, ie usually), and usually invoke the "You have to field and bowl before you can bat" rule for walk ons.

If they want to then that's fine, if not then they're generally employed as Third Umpires (and are more competent that the real things). We generally employ that rule for kids (who we also usually let chase the ball for us).

Anyone remember around 2006 when KFC bought out those inflatable Symonds, Clarke & Hussey things?

My masterfull coaching skills were put to good use with those guys patrolling the backyard.

We blamed Hussey for dropped catches...


At least with tipsy (hit and run for those not inclined) it meant the fielders were at least focused on the game, for they would disperse for the non striker, then come in for me!


Generally our game is ALWAYS on Australia Day, and usually in 2 sessions. The first session is played about 12:30, the second about 4:00 with an hours lunch break/beer break/real cricket break between. When out on the field I have to carry a radio with me to give the Cricket scores, for the radio is blaring the Hottest 100 (play has to end BEFORE the top 10 starts). Generally only singles are run unless there's 2 kids batting. The main rule also is that you have to play a shot of some description, can't shoulder arms after the first ball (ramp shots, reverse sweeps, switch hits encouraged). No rain delays during play, heck last year we still played on the road despite the surrounds being flooded.

 

[Natho]

We used to put a doormat at a good length so if it hit that you often got some variable bounce. Other times nothing! We had scoring zones too. Fence at midwicket was 1, in between two trees was 2, hitting straight was 4, a 6 was between a very small section. (Ball could be hit along the deck) never saw many sixes.

If you chose to bowl pace you used a swing king if you chose to bowl spin you used a regular ball

 

[iluvparis]

Quality memories lads!

I remember when I moved from Melbourne to Sydney after uni I had a farewell BBQ and the pre-requisite backyard cricket game. Went to uni with this tall Sri Lankan dude who proceeded to bowl Chaminda Vass style medium pace non-stop for about 5 hours to any one that wanted to have a bat. It was seriously the most heroic and marathon stretch of backyard bowling I have ever seen and it looked like he could have kept on going all night. Forever written himself into BC legend with one epic spell.

 

[radiojake]

I remember beach cricket during the xmas holidays when we were at Wallaroo every year. I always enjoyed it when the adults came down to have a bowl and a hit, but I never understood why they seemed to care more about the precarious position of their beers behind the stumps over the actual game play....

I now understand...