Cricket Rules

A cricket team has 11 players on the field at any time. However, squads for tournaments typically consist of 15-18 players to account for injuries and rest. In a match, only 11 players bat and 11 players field, though the batting side has only 2 batsmen at the crease at once.

LBW (Leg Before Wicket) is a way of dismissing a batsman. A batsman is out LBW when: (1) The ball would have hit the stumps, (2) The ball hits the batsman's body (not the bat) first, (3) The ball pitched in line with the stumps or outside off stump (for right-handers), and (4) The impact was in line with the stumps, unless the batsman was not offering a shot.

In ODI (One Day International) matches, each team bats for 50 overs. In T20 (Twenty20) matches, each team bats for 20 overs. In Test matches, there is no limit on overs - teams can bat until they are all out or declare their innings. Test matches are played over 5 days with a minimum of 90 overs bowled per day.

A Super Over is used to break ties in limited-overs cricket. Each team nominates 3 batsmen and 1 bowler. Each team bats for 1 over (6 balls), and the team scoring more runs wins. If scores are still tied, another Super Over is played (though some tournaments use boundary count or other tiebreakers).

Powerplay refers to overs with fielding restrictions. In T20: Overs 1-6 are mandatory powerplay with only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. In ODI: Overs 1-10 are powerplay 1 (only 2 fielders outside), and teams can take 2 more powerplays of 5 overs each in the remaining innings (max 4 fielders outside during these).

A no ball is an illegal delivery, most commonly when the bowler's front foot crosses the crease. Other reasons include dangerous bowling (bouncers above shoulder height), throwing, or incorrect fielding positions. In limited-overs cricket, a no ball results in an extra run AND a free hit - the next ball from which the batsman cannot be bowled, caught, or LBW.

Follow-on is a rule in Test cricket where if a team trails by 200+ runs after the first innings (150 runs in 3-4 day matches), the opposing captain can enforce the follow-on - making the trailing team bat again immediately instead of taking their own second innings. This can help win the match faster.

Declaration is when a batting captain voluntarily ends their team's innings before all batsmen are out. This is only done in Test cricket, typically to give their bowlers enough time to bowl out the opposition. Captains declare when they believe they have enough runs to win.