With the inception of the Hundred, we are going to see a new format of that game that is going to be displayed to fans around the world. Long gone are the days when Test cricket was the only version of the game. With different environments and circumstances, cricket has evolved to cater to people around the world in an array of varieties.
Today we take a look at some different variations of the sport played around the world.
1) Beach cricket
Beach cricket is another version of the sport played on the beach, involving just about anyone who wants to play, usually making up the rules as they go. The general rules complied in the Beach cricket Tri-nation series include eight overs in an innings, the last 2 overs being Captain's Choice’ overs when the captains are allowed to field the batsmen and bowlers of their own choosing. Also, when a batsman is dismissed, he continues batting but is defected runs. Meaning it is actually possible to end up with a negative score
2) Indoor cricket
The indoor variant of the outdoor sport. Originating in Germany. It was later adapted by all cricket-playing nations. The indoor version retains the basic aspects of the outdoor sport but has several modifications to make it suitable for playing indoors. Many variations of this sport exist from the Indoor Cricket World Cup featuring 11v11 players to the Ultimate Kricket Challenge featuring 1v1.
3) Kilikiti
One of the earliest and most radical reinventions of the sport was a result of the English missionaries’ attempts to introduce cricket to Samoa in the 19th century. In Samoan kilikiti each team has two wicket keepers, with players involving all ages, women, and children, the numbers can range from 10 to 20 players. In 2001, the inaugural World Cup Kilikiti tournament was held in Auckland with the New Zealand Kilikiti Blacks winning the tournament.
4) Table cricket
Table cricket is played on a table tennis table and designed to give young people with a disability the chance to play. Making it a strategic game, there are different scoring zones around the table and, just like in outdoor cricket, fielders have to be positioned to prevent runs or to get the batter out. Teams of six take turns to bat or bowl, with the bowler using a ramp to deliver the ball, The batter scores by hitting the ball into the scoring zones, trying to avoid the fielders while at it.
5) Backyard Cricket/ Street cricket
Popular to many growing up, this type of cricket would mean every player playing to be involved as a bowler or fielder united against the batsman. And the batting position keeps getting rotated when the on-strike batsman gets out. The rules of backyard cricket will vary with every backyard, but some general rules followed are that of catches taken with one hand even after one bounce is considered out, sixes that go above the fence or set boundary will also lead to the dismissal of the batsman
6) Double-wicket cricket
Double Wicket Cricket remains one of the most extensive forms of the game where a pair of two players will be considered as a team. A player getting out continues to bat but is penalized some runs for each time he gets out. Even in this format of the games, a team can end up in negative digits. This form of cricket was popularized in 1990 when star players of cricketing nations played.
7) French cricket
French cricket is a form of cricket that can be played socially at picnics and parties. It is an ideal form of cricket that can include children of all ages. In this version, the ball is bowled at the legs of the batsman with the batsman’s legs forming the wicket. A tennis ball is often used, with there being only one batsman whose objective is to not be dismissed by the other participants, who are fielders or the bowler.
8) Vigoro
Invented by the Englishman John George Grant, in 1901. Vigoro is a sport that has a combination of the elements of cricket and tennis, but its current version is closer to combined elements of cricket and baseball. Nowadays it's usually played by women in Australia. Played on a cricket pitch slightly shorter in length, the balls are much lighter, and the bat has a long handle resembling the shape of a paddle.
With the sport constantly evolving, more versions will come to light to enhance thrill and excitement. Let us know in your comments which form of the spot you have found most intriguing and which variation of the sport you play.
Cover Credits: Pininterest
