Types of bowlers

In cricket there are two broad categories of bowlers: pace bowlers and spin bowlers. Pace bowlers rely mostly on the speed of the ball to dismiss batsmen, whereas spin bowlers rely on the rotation of the ball.

Pace bowlers
Most pace bowlers are medium-fast to fast in top level cricket. In general, bowlers of this type are described as right arm or "fast", or right arm or left arm "fast-medium", and so on. Though Jeff "Thommo" Thomson of Australia was long regarded as the fastest bowler in the world (with a fastest ball clocked at 99.7 mph and rumoured to have broken the 100mph barrier), today Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait of Australia are considered the fastest bowlers in the history of the game.
Swing bowlers are pace bowlers who, apart from being fast, also use the seam of the ball to make it travel in a curved path through the air. This is further encouraged by systematically polishing one side of the ball while allowing the other side to become roughened and worn. The differing airflow around the two sides will cause the ball to swing in the air, towards the roughened side. By changing the orientation of the ball in his hand, a bowler may therefore cause the ball to swing into or away from the batsman. In addition to a well-polished ball, other factors help the ball to swing, notably damp or humid weather conditions. However balls which have been in play for some time do not tend to swing so much due to the deterioration of the seam. In addition, bowlers of express pace do not tend to get as much swing as the fast-medium-to-medium pace bowlers.

Spin bowlers
Spin bowlers or spinners impart rotation to the ball to get a batsman out. The spin on the ball makes its movement hard to predict, particularly when it bounces, hence spin bowlers try to deceive batsmen into making a mistake. Speed is not crucial in spin bowling, and spinners tend to bowl in the slow-medium to medium-slow range, around 45-55 mph. There are two broad categories of spin bowling: wrist spin and finger spin.
Wrist spinners are bowlers who use their wrists to spin the ball. A right-handed wrist spinner is known as a leg spinner and his or her mode of bowling is known as leg break. A leg break will move from right to left from the bowler's point of view, or from the leg-side to the off-side for a right-handed batsman. Shane Warne of Australia, one of the most successful bowlers in Test cricket history, and Anil Kumble of India are two of the contemporary bowlers of this type.
Finger spinners make use of their fingers to rotate the ball. A right-arm finger spinner is known as an off-spinner and their mode of bowling is known as off break. The ball will appear to move just as the chinaman does, from off to leg for a right-handed batsman. Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, one of the most successful bowlers in Test and ODI cricket history, is an off-spinner, although his bowling style is unusual. Indian Harbhajan Singh also employs this bowling style.

Bowling abbreviations
Bowling styles are often abbreviated in scorecards as follows :

Pace bowling	RF	Right-arm fast
	RFM	Right-arm fast medium
	RMF	Right-arm medium fast
	RM	Right-arm medium
	LF	Left-arm fast
	LFM	Left-arm fast medium
	LMF	Left-arm medium fast
	LM	Left-arm medium
Spin bowling	OB	Off break (right-arm)
	LB	Leg break (right-arm)
	LBG	Leg break googly (right-arm)
	SLA	Slow left-arm orthodox
	SLC	Slow left-arm chinaman

Types of Dismissals of a batsman

There are ten ways in which a batsman may be dismissed. Once a batsman is dismissed, he leaves the field to be replaced by another batsman. When the tenth batsmen is out, and only one batsman remains undismissed, the side is "all out" and the innings is over.

Many modes of dismissal require the wicket to be "put down". The wicket is put down if a bail is dislodged from the top of the stumps; or if a stump is struck out of the ground either by the ball or by a fielder using the hand in which the ball is being held. Of the following ten modes of dismissal, the first six are common; while the last four are technicalities that rarely occur. The ten modes are:

1. Caught — When a fielder catches the ball before it bounces and after the batsman has struck it with the bat or it has come into contact with the batsman's glove while it is in contact with the bat handle. The bowler and catcher are both credited with the dismissal.
2. Bowled — When a delivered ball hits the stumps at the batsman's end, and dislodges one or both of the bails. This happens regardless of whether the batsman has edged the ball onto the stumps or not. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.
3. Leg before wicket (lbw) — When a delivered ball strikes the batsman's leg, pad or body, and the umpire judges that the ball would otherwise have struck the stumps. The laws of cricket stipulate certain exceptions. For instance, a delivery pitching outside the line of leg stump should not result in an lbw dismissal, while a delivery hitting the batsman outside the line of the off stump should result in an lbw dismissal only if the batsman makes no attempt to play the ball with the bat. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.
4. Run out — When a fielder, bowler or wicket-keeper removes one or both of the bails with the ball by hitting the stumps whilst a batsman is still running between the two ends. The ball can either hit the stumps directly or the fielder's hand with the ball inside it can be used to dislodge the bails. Such a dismissal is not officially credited to any player, although the identities of the fielder or fielders involved are often noted in brackets on the scorecard.
5. Stumped — When the batsman leaves his crease in playing a delivery, voluntarily or involuntarily, but the ball goes to the wicket-keeper who uses it to remove one or both of the bails through hitting the bail(s) or the wicket before the batsman has remade his ground. The bowler and wicket-keeper are both credited. This generally requires the keeper to be standing within arm's length of the wicket, which is done mainly to spin bowling.
6. Hit wicket — When the batsman knocks the stumps with either the body or the bat, causing one or both of the bails to be dislodged, either in playing a shot or in taking off for the first run. The bowler is credited with the dismissal.
7. Handled the ball— When the batsman deliberately handles the ball without the permission of the fielding team. No player is credited with the dismissal.
8. Hit the ball twice — When the batsman deliberately strikes the ball a second time, except for the sole purpose of guarding his wicket. No player is credited with the dismissal.
9. Obstructing the field— When a batsman deliberately hinders a fielder attempting to field the ball. No player is credited with the dismissal.
10. Timed out — When a new batsman takes more than three minutes to take his position in the field to replace a dismissed batsman. (If the delay is protracted, the umpires may decide that the batting side has forfeited the match). This rule prevents the batting team using up time to unfair advantage. No player is credited with the dismissal.

A batsman may leave the field without being dismissed. If injured or taken ill the batsman may temporarily retire, and be replaced by the next batsman. This is recorded as retired hurt or retired ill. The retiring batsman is not out, and may resume the innings later. An unimpaired batsman may retire, and this is treated as being dismissed retired out; no player is credited with the dismissal.

Batsmen cannot be out bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket off a no ball. They cannot be out bowled, caught, leg before wicket, or hit the ball twice off a wide.

Some of these modes of dismissal can occur without the bowler bowling a delivery. The batsman who is not on strike may be run out by the bowler if he leaves his crease before the bowler bowls, and a batsman can be out obstructing the field or retired out at any time. Timed out is, by its nature, a dismissal without a delivery. With all other modes of dismissal, only one batsman can be dismissed per ball bowled.

Forms of cricket

There are many different types and grades of cricket; those played professionally at an international level are Test cricket, One Day International cricket and Twenty20 cricket.

Test cricket

Test cricket is a form of international cricket started during the 1876/77 English cricket team's tour of Australia. The very first Test match began on 15 March 1877; Australia won by 45 runs. The Test cricket series between England and Australia is now called The Ashes. Since then, over 1,800 Test matches have been played and the number of Test playing nations has increased to ten with Bangladesh, the most recent nation elevated to Test status, making its debut in 2000. Test matches are two innings per side, and are nowadays restricted to a maximum of five days. In the past, Tests have been played over three, four, or six days, and some have been "Timeless" - played to a finish with no maximum duration. Tests that are not finished within the allotted time are drawn.

One-day cricket

Limited overs matches, also known as "one-day cricket", were introduced in the English domestic season of 1963 in response to demands for a shorter and more dramatic form of cricket. One-day, single-innings, matches often took place before this, but the innovation was the limiting of each side's innings to an agreed number of overs (nowadays usually 40 or 50). The idea was taken up in the international arena in 1971, during England's tour of Australia, when a match was played on the scheduled fifth day of the rained-off third Test. The one-day game has since become a crowd-pleaser and TV-audience-generator across the globe, hastened in part by the success of the inaugural World Cup in 1975. The abbreviations "ODI" (One Day International) or sometimes "LOI" (Limited Overs International) are used for international matches of this type. Innovations have included the introduction of coloured clothing, distinct tournaments, and "day-night" matches (where play extends into the night under floodlights); together with frequent nail-biting finishes and the impossibility of either side opting to play for a draw, these have seen ODI cricket gain many supporters.

Twenty20 cricket

Twenty20 Cricket was first played in English domestic cricket in 2003 to popularise first-class cricket and attract more spectators. It has since spread to many other countries. A Twenty20 match consists of 20 overs for each side, a "free hit" after an illegal no-ball is bowled, short boundaries, batting-friendly pitches, and other rules designed to attract spectators who would not attend the slower-paced one-day games or test matches. The first men's Twenty20 international was between Australia and New Zealand in 2005, the first women's Twenty20 international having been between England and New Zealand in 2004. From 2007 to 2015 the Twenty20 World Championship will be held every two years; the first was staged in South Africa in 2007, and was won by India. It has an abbreviation as T20.

First-class matches

A "first-class" match is generally defined as a high-level international or domestic match that takes place over at least three days on natural (as opposed to artificial) turf. First-class games are two innings per side. Like Test matches, if the game is not completed over the allotted time then it is drawn. Games where the teams have only one innings each are not first-class (including one-day internationals).

Among cricket statisticians, first class cricket is variously deemed to have started in 1660, 1772, 1801, 1815 or 1864; the reasons for this are described in the main article.

Cricket statisticians have also introduced the concept of list A status, which is not first-class, but includes important limited-over matches.

Other forms of cricket

At all levels, the rules of cricket are often modified. At international or first-class levels this is usually in order to make the game more commercially attractive. More or less formal domestic club cricket matches are usually played over one to two days, either two innings per side or one innings per side with limited overs. At lower levels the rules are often changed simply to make the game playable with limited resources, or to render it more convenient and enjoyable for the participants. Variants of the sport are played in areas as diverse as sandy beaches and ice floes. Families and teenagers play backyard cricket in suburban yards or driveways, and the teeming cities of India and Pakistan play host to countless games of "Gully Cricket" or "tapeball" on their streets. Tennis balls and homemade bats are often used, and a variety of objects may serve as wickets such as the batters legs, as in "French cricket", which did not in fact originate in France, and is usually played by small children. Sometimes the rules are also improvised: for instance it is sometimes agreed that fielders can catch the ball with one hand after one bounce and claim a wicket, or if only a few people are available then everyone may field while the players take it in turns to bat and bowl.

In Kwik cricket, the bowler does not have to wait for the batsman to be ready before a delivery, leading to a faster, more exhausting game designed to appeal to children, which is often used in English schools' PE lessons. Another modification to increase the pace of the game is the "Tip and Run", "Tipity" Run, "Tipsy Run" or "Tippy-Go" rule, in which the batter must run when the ball touches the bat, even if it the contact is unintentional or minor. This rule, seen only in impromptu games, speeds the match up by disabling the batsman's ability to block the ball. Indoor cricket is played in a netted, indoor arena.

In Samoa a form of cricket called Kilikiti is played in which hockey stick-shaped bats are used.

In Estonia, teams gather over the winter for the annual Ice Cricket tournament. The game juxtaposes the normal summer pursuit with harsh, wintry conditions. Rules are otherwise similar to those for the six-a-side game.

Pictures of 2nd Final in Cb series @ Brisbane

With Sachin Tendulkar watchful at the start, Robin Uthappa took the initiative.

Tendulkar still tried to put away the loose deliveries and soon overtook Uthappa in the scoring rate.

Stuart Clark delivered the first breakthrough by dismissing Uthappa.

Tendulkar reached his fifty from 70 balls as India made their best start of the series

Tendulkar took a few more risks after crossing his half-century.

Yuvraj Singh, here launching the ball into the stands, hit a run-a-ball 38

A disappointed Tendulkar returns to the pavilion after falling nine runs short of his century

Mahendra Singh Dhoni played some useful shots during his 36 .

India lost their way a bit after Tendulkar's dismissal.

Praveen Kumar improvised against Brett Lee and managed a boundary.

Praveen combined with Yuvraj Singh to dismiss Ricky Ponting cheaply.

Ponting cut a lonely figure as he walked back for 1.

Praveen took the first three wickets to fall, sending back Clarke as well.

There were distractions aplenty at the Gabba as a streaker made an appearance, only to be shoulder barged by Andrew Symonds

Matthew Hayden took control of the partnership and managed a half-century

However, he was run out by Harbhajan Singh when going for a single that wasn't on

Symonds' dismissal made it two wickets in quick succession

Harbhajan and the rest couldn't control their joy.

Sreesanth had him caught behind, and it was left to James Hopes and the tail to do the job.

Irfan Pathan got the final wicket of James Hopes.

Harbhajan Singh exults after the win.

India stole the thunder by clinching the CB Series.

Munaf Patel and Virender Sehwag give Sachin Tendulkar a lift.

The dejected Australian faces say it all.

Champagne moment: The Indian team celebrate.

Pictures of 1st final in CB series @ Sydney

Praveen Kumar was given the new ball to start off with and struck very early ...

.. dismissing the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for 7 in his last innings at the SCG.

Praveen struck another big blow to leave Australia smarting ...

.. and it was another failure for Ricky Ponting, bowled for just one.

Elsewhere in the ground Shane Warne kicked back and took in the first CB Series final.

Ishant Sharma dismissed Michael Clarke for four as Australia slipped to 24 for 3

Harbhajan Singh had a tidy outing at the SCG, snapping up 2 for 38 to bring India back.

Brad Hogg was unbeaten on 23 and Australia got to 239 in their 50 overs.

Michael Hussey is mobbed after his stellar boundary catch that dismissed Robin Uthappa.

Sachin Tendulkar was in excellent form, however, and held up one end.

ames Hopes stops the ball after bowling a delivery.

He batted like a man on a mission, crossing 50 from 56 balls.

Tendulkar found an able ally in Rohit Sharma, who made 66 in a crucial 123-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Tendulkar made his maiden ODI century in Australia and remained unbeaten on 117 as India grabbed a 1-0 lead in the finals.

Sachin Tendulkar is congratulated by teammate Harbhajan Singh.

Best Scorecard ever in Cricket History

The IPL Teams

Following are the IPL teams after Wednesday's auctions
Bangalore:
Rahul Dravid (icon player)
Jacques Kallis - USD 900,000
Anil Kumble - USD 500,000
Cameron White - USD 500,000
Zaheer Khan - USD 450,000
Mark Boucher - USD 450,000
Wasim Jaffer - USD 150,000
Dale Steyn - USD 325,000
Shivnarine Chanderpaul - USD 200,000

Kolkata:
Sourav Ganguly (icon player)
Ishant Sharma - USD 950,000
Chris Gayle - USD 800,000
Brendon McCullum - USD 700,000
David Hussey- USD 625,000
Shoaib Akhtar - USD 425,000
Ricky Ponting - USD 400,000
Ajit Agarkar - USD 350,000
Murali Kartik - USD 425,000
Umar Gul - USD 150,000
Tatenda Taibu - USD 125,000

Chennai:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni - USD 1.5 million
Jacob Oram - USD 675,000
Albie Morkel - USD 675,000
Suresh Raina - USD 650,000
Muttiah Muralitharan - USD 600,000
Matthew Hayden - USD 375,000
Stephen Fleming - USD 350,000
Parthiv Patel - USD 325,000
Joginder Sharma - USD 225,000
Makhaya Ntini - USD 200,000
Michael Hussey - USD 350,000

Delhi:
Virender Sehwag (icon player)
Gautam Gambhir - USD 725,000
Manoj Tiwari - USD 675,000
Mohammad Asif - USD 650,000
Daniel Vettori - USD 625,000
Dinesh Karthik - USD 525,000
Shoaib Malik - USD 500,000
AB de Villiers - USD 300,000
Tillekaratne Dilshan - USD 250,000
Farveez Maharoof - USD 225,000
Glenn McGrath - USD 350,000

Hyderabad:
Andrew Symonds - USD 1.35 million
Rudra Pratap Singh - USD 875,000
Rohit Sharma - USD 750,000
Adam Gilchrist - USD 700,000
Shahid Afridi - USD 675,000
Herschelle Gibbs - USD 575,000
VVS Laxman - USD 375,000
Chaminda Vaas - USD 200,000
Scott Styris - USD 175,000
Nuwan Zoysa - USD 110,000
Chamara Silva - USD 100,000

Jaipur:
Mohammad Kaif - USD 675,000
Graeme Smith - USD 475,000
Yusuf Pathan - USD 475,000
Shane Warne - USD 450,000
Munaf Patel - USD 275,000
Younis Khan - USD 225,000
Kamran Akmal - USD 150,000
Justin Langer - USD 200,000

Mohali:
Yuvraj Singh (icon player)
Irfan Pathan - USD 925,000
Brett Lee - USD 900,000
Kumar Sangakkara - USD 700,000
Shantakumaran Sreesanth - USD 625,000
Mahela Jayawardene - USD 475,000
Piyush Chawla - USD 400,000
Ramesh Powar - USD 170,000
Ramnaresh Sarwan - USD 225,000
Simon Katich - USD 200,000

Mumbai:
Sachin Tendulkar (icon player)
Sanath Jayasuriya - USD 975,000
Harbhajan Singh - USD 850,000
Robin Uthappa - USD 800,000
Shaun Pollock - USD 550,000
Lasith Malinga - USD 350,000
Dilhara Fernando - USD 150,000
Loots Bosman - USD 150,000

Pictures of 8th ODI in CB series @ Adelaide

Mahendra Singh Dhoni cheers after getting the winning run.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni dives flat out to make the crease.

Yuvraj Singh is bowled by a yorker from Chaminda Vaas.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays it behind square leg.

Yuvraj Singh acknowledges the crowd after reaching his fifty.

Muttiah Muralitharan delivers the ball.

Yuvraj Singh drives to the off side.

Yuvraj Singh sweeps to behind square.

Lasith Malinga is charged up after dismissing Sachin Tendulkar with his first ball.

Chamara Silva swivels around to pull.

Ishant Sharma unsuccessfully appeals for a wicket.

A determined Kumar Sangakkara after reaching the century.

Kumar Sangakkara uses his wrists to good effect while playing a sweep shot.

Praveen Kumar celebrates after running out Mahela Jayawardene.

Munaf Patel appeals for a run-out after deflecting a ball onto the non-striker's stump.