Australian Cricket Mechanics

Australian cricket became popular when the country became a territory under the British rule. Today, Australian cricket has spawned many teams, both amateur and professional, and enjoys a steady following. If you are not familiar with how Australian cricket is played, read this post. In it, you will find a basic guide to understanding the mechanics of Australian cricket.

A game of Australian cricket is played between two teams of 11 players each. It is somewhat similar to baseball in that the goal of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team. Since the majority of action occurs in the pitch (the middle of the field) midfield players tend to get more action than other positions. At the end of each pitch is a wicket; the batting side needs to defend the wickets, while the bowling side need to make a goal in one in order to score.

For professional Australian cricket matches, two umpires are on the field at all times to keep track of plays and make calls as needed. Players play the following positions: batsmen (striker and non-striker), bowler, wicketkeeper, and fielders.

If you are on the batting side, your goal is the score more runs that the other team. A striker has the primary goal of preventing the ball from hitting the wicket. He also works with the non-striker batsman so they can score runs by hitting the ball.

The batting side can score a run by several methods: the main one is to hit the ball and reach the other end of the pitch before the other team's fielders can return the ball. You can also hit the ball out of the field on the fly (worth six runs), or roll the ball out of the fields (four runs). You can also score if the bowling side incurs sundries, or errors.

The fielders and bowler aim to get the batter out. If the bowler throws the ball past the striker and succeeds in breaking a part of the wicket, the batter is dismissed. The fielders must catch a batter ball or return it to the wicket before a batter scores a run. If the batting side makes an error, they also incur outs.
The main goal of the fielders is to dismiss 10 of the 11 players from the batting side, which means the end of an inning. A full game, which consists of two innings per side, can take several days.

For up to date Australian Cricket News be sure to check out http://www.australiancricketnews.com/

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Which Countries Play Cricket?

You probably have heard about cricket in past years. If you reside in a country where the sport is played often, it is likely you have engaged in some cricket matches yourself. Cricket enthusiasts thoroughly enjoy playing the game, and spectators have a blast watching the game being played. Few people actually know the facts about cricket. The game of cricket has a long history, and it has evolved many times before it has become what it is today.

A Brief History on Cricket

There is debate about who actually invented cricket. Some say that Prince Edward, who was the son of Edward I, played a variation of cricket called creag at Newenden, Kent in 1301. However, there is no real evidence that creed and cricket are the same. As a matter of fact, little was recorded about that particular creed account. Definite evidence of cricket can be traced back to a write-up that makes reference to the game being played in 1598.

Over the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, cricket went through a number of developments. At first, the game was played like hockey and sticks were used. As cricket evolved, it was played similarly to bowling, as players pitched the balls to the batting men. Later on in the eighteenth century, the hockey stick was replaced by a sort of club. Now, the game is played almost like baseball in that actual straight bats are used, and the game is played in innings. Some elements of bowling still remain, as the ones who pitch the balls are still called bowlers.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is quite simple. In order for a team to win, that team must get more runs than the other team. The opposition has to be dismissed as well. When these criteria have been met, the team is a winner.

The number of innings played varies on the match at hand. Two umpires regulate the game, and the scorers keep score by watching for hand signals given by the umpires. Examples of signals to watch for are that the umpires will raise a forefinger if a batter has been dismissed and put both arms above his head if the batter has hit a ball for six runs. The laws of cricket dictate that the scorers must keep record of all runs in the game.

Where is cricket played?

Cricket is not actually an Olympic sport, though; it is played between nations where the game is popular. The first international cricket match was played between Canada and the United States; however, neither nation was ever considered a test playing nation. The first actual test matches took place between Australia and England. Nations that were later included were India, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,, South Africa and Bangladesh. South Africa ended up being banned from 1970 to 1992 due to enacting an apartheid policy. Cricket is not quite as popular in most other countries, though; groups of people may opt to play the sport for fun.

Cricket can also be played online. For those sports enthusiasts who would prefer to stay at home in comfortable chair I suggest to try to play some online cricket match on cricketgames247.com. We got some popular titles like Smashtastic cricket, Hit and run, World Cup 2011, and more, or check out best rated games directly.

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Ten Types of Cricket Match

Not everyone knows about the sport known as "The Gentleman's Game." However, in the UK it is the popular sport aside from football as it can be traced back to the times when kings and princes could be found playing together with their knights and soldiers. And that's what makes this game last even until today. In fact, one of the most anticipated tournaments in the world of cricket is ongoing--the Ashes Test tournament.

But before we go a bit further than that, here is a list of the ten types of cricket you should know about if you love the sport;

Twenty20- it was first introduced and played on 2003 in the UK, however, its popularity spread to all other cricket-playing nations. Each team has a quota of 20 overs and race whoever completes it first.

First-Class- it is the oldest type of cricket which has been practiced long before the test matches were played. There are many similarities between the two types, however, this type has three-day duration while the other one may reach up to five days.

Test- among other types, this is the most challenging and is known to be the ultimate test of all cricketers. It is the most accurate yardstick if you are going to measure a team's effort and capabilities.
Club- it is often the most recognizable amateur match in the world of cricket. Although amateur in nature, it is when aspiring cricketers learn how to observe the laws of the game. It is often played with too much seriousness on both teams competing.

One-Day- as what the name denotes this tournament must have a winner in a day. It is often played with colored uniforms and white balls; more often, it is the best alternative to 5-day matches and can attract huge number of spectators especially the international matches.

County- if you are living in the UK, you must be familiar with this type as it is often played in the counties. More often, it is a competition between two counties to prove who has more superior members. Moreover, it is most popular in England.

List A- it is new type introduced by International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2006. Those who created this type have been requesting ICC to recognize it as a new part of the cricket world.

Short Form- for people who do not have much time watching the match for eight hours, Short Form of Cricket is the best alternative. Basically, all the elements of the game is compressed into this type, however, a match is over after about two hours.

Kwik- for parents who want to develop their children to become of the most popular cricketers in the world, this type is the best starting point. It is designed specifically for children who love the sport. Instead of the official bats and balls, the children are given plastic bats and balls to avoid injury.

Indoor- as the name suggests, this type is often played in smaller stadiums which means that is it also quicker than the traditional cricket match. You can seldom witness this type of cricket.

Watch Cricket Matches
Do you love cricket? The ultimate match between England and Australia is ongoing - The Ashes. Learn more about the strongest team of the two, know who the key players are, and know who will take home the ashes for this year's tournament. You can get updates of The Ashes through the latest news.

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Cricket in the USA

Whilst most of the eyes of the cricketing world are turning to the 2009 Ashes Series between England and Australia how many of you known that in the past our American cousins played the game of gentleman?
As early as the 1700s, American cricket clubs were established and this was not long after they first appeared in England. Cricket quickly became established as a leisurely pastime. Not long after, eastern Canada developed their own clubs. This acted as a catalyst to both the US and Canadian cricket clubs to go in search of regular competition and it soon led to the first international cricket match.

The first Canada vs. USA cricket match has been played annually since the 1840s, and brings upwards of 10,000 fans to New York. Believe it or not it is one of the oldest international sporting events in the world today. The Canada vs. USA cricket match was to prove be the first of what would eventually lead to a far reaching international sport.

The 20th century saw cricket in America go into terminal decline. Whilst In the late 1800s, cricket remained an amateur sport, at the same time both England and Australia were on the verge of launching a professional system for their cricketers. Internationally, a real effort was put into improving cricketing standards but many North American cricket clubs chose to remain elite preserving their amateur status. Who now has heard of Town ball? A sport developed out of cricket and was played in small town and city squares. This was easily played in urban areas. More importantly a select number of cricket clubs went on to sponsor the first American baseball teams, as they came to be called .In the 1900s, the game of baseball became so popular in the USA that it all but put to death the game of cricket that gave it life. Within a few short decades, cricket in the USA was nothing but a distant memory.

Some 30 years ago in the back in the 1970s, the USA turned once again to cricket as populations increased with a corresponding interest in cricket. Disney even looked at the potential profits that could be gleaned by bringing cricket back to the United States. The jury is still out as to whether a new cricket association should be re launched or if the sporting American public would spend money investing in first-class cricket matches and watching international cricketers in their own cities and towns. With down turn in the global economy, the time is possible not quite right to reintroduce the game to the North American shores but who knows what the future holds for this potentially lucrative market. The face of cricket continues to evolve and as you watch the bitter rivalry played out between the English and Australian cricket players for the 2009 Ashes series this summer, dare to believe that one day a the USA cricket team will visit these shore to contest an inaugural first test between the two nations.

For more news, views and reviews about the Ashes Test 2009 then visit http://www.ashestest2009.com and ensure that you are never more than a click away from the action.

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Sports Entertainment In The UK

When it comes to sports entertainment in the UK, the country has a great deal to offer eager athletes. A range of weather and facilities enables individuals to enjoy sporting fun from swimming to polo, while options like the gun range and archery facilities offer entertainment for athletes of a different kind.
Although the UK has a variety of sports entertainment available, that spans categories such as bowling, tennis, fishing, water sports, cycling, golf, martial arts, and horseback riding, the region is most commonly known for a couple of sports more unique to the UK. These include football (soccer), boxing nights and polo.

Among the most popular form of sports entertainment in the UK is football, or what the Americans refer to as soccer. From the beginning, UK International Soccer Camps give young kids an early start to one of the world's greatest games. These camps are staffed by dedicated professional coaches who strive to inspire lives through their soccer curriculum. Child development is nurtured via a solid love of the game and a commitment to athleticism.

Those who dedicate themselves wholly to soccer stand a chance of someday playing the game professionally. The England National Football Team, together with Scotland, is the oldest joint team in the world. The two teams played each other at the first ever football match over two centuries ago in 1872.
Winners of the FIFA World Cup, the England Football Team is one of the best in the world, demonstrating how highly the game is regarded. From scrappy kids in the street to well conditioned athletes on at the FIFA World Cup, countrymen and women of the UK favourite football is one of the most time-honoured forms of sports entertainment.

Polo is an impressive sport that carries with it an aura of sophistication and class. Anyone might easily recognise the horse, the equestrian helmet, the knee-high riding boots, and the mallet - all telltale symbols of this game. It is said that the British are responsible for spreading the game worldwide during the late 19th and early 20th century. And although it is widely played in countries from Iran to Thailand, the sport is often most commonly associated with the UK.

Perhaps what adds to the difficulty of the sport is the fact that much of the game depends on the horse. This is one sport in which victory depends on more than the players alone. Just like each member of the polo team, each animal must be extremely well-trained. A truly brilliant polo team will master their horses to the degree that both men and animals function together as one unit. That is what makes polo such a fascinating form of sports entertainment in the UK.

As well as having physical sports as entertainment, there is also evening dining entertainment based around sports. A number of evening events in the UK have been based around sports, such as boxing nights and sports dinner nights.

I recently heard about a sporting event called 'white-collar boxing'. This event was a night of amateur boxing, the audience consisted of friends, family and general spectators, there to watch two amateur boxers fight for 'fun'. Often these kind of nights may involve a meal and some other additional entertainment, making for a good night of sports entertainment.

Daniel Baker is the author of this article about sports entertainment for more information visit Mitchell Promotions.

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Has Golf Become Canada's New National Sport?

Before hockey fanatics start hurling the 'blasphemy' accusations, a careful examination of the facts is warranted for this discussion. Nobody would ever question the Canadian love affair with hockey, but golf, as surprising as it may seem, is the sport that Canadians play the most. And in terms of golf's contribution to Canada's economy, it stands head and shoulders above all other sports, including the National Hockey League, as Canada's most economically viable sport. Yes Canadians love their golf too!

An intensive survey conducted by Strategic Networks Group, Inc for the National Allied Golf Associations speaks volumes about golf's prominence and impact on Canadians. The 2009 study incorporated feedback from more than 4,000 golfers and 350 golf courses across all 10 provinces and 3 Territories. These guys covered all the bases and their 26-page report and came up with some astounding statistics for the Canadian golf industry, supported by 6 million golfers and 70 million rounds of golf, amongst the highest rates per capita in the world.

Of the 6 million or so golfers that enjoy the sport in Canada, 2.5 million of them are 'core' golfers who play, on average, about 28 rounds per year, weather permitting of course. Based solely on participation rates alone, the sport of golf is played by more Canadians than any other sport, including hockey. In 2009, Canadian golfers spent $2.1 billion on golf equipment, $4.1 billion at golf courses, $700 million on golf apparel, and $1.8 billion on golf travel. Another additional $2.3 billion was spent on non-golf industries such as hotels and restaurants by Canuck duffers. That's a total of $13.6 billion in golf expenditures. Staggering numbers to say the least.

In terms of golf's economic impact on the Canadian economy, the numbers are just as impressive. In 2009, the golf industry accounted for 341,794 jobs in Canada. Golf contributed $7.6 billion to the Canadian household income, $1.2 billion in taxes, and $1.9 billion in income taxes. Homeowners adjacent to golf courses saw their property value rise by $1.4 billion in 2009. Golf courses netted $4.7 billion in 2009 while other spectator sports, including the National Hockey League, grossed about half of that at $2.4 billion. Golf in Canada is big business.

Tourism and charity also benefitted greatly from Canada's passion for golf in 2009. Golfers spent $1.9 million on golf-related travel within Canada while raising $439 million for a variety of charities through tournaments and other golf activities.

Golf provides some of the best employment and investment opportunities in Canada. 43% of golf employment across Canada belonged to students or young adults just getting into the industry in 2009. As for other golf-related businesses, Canadians have never had as many opportunities to combine their passion for golf and business as they do today. Keep your head up hockey!

Jason James Ferris
http://www.yourgolffranchise.com

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Popular Sports in Australia

Sporting events are an important part of Australian culture. There are a number of sports that are enjoyed throughout the nation. This article takes a look at some of the most common types of sport currently played in Australia.

Cricket

Cricket is a popular sport which involves two teams battling it out against one another. It is a bat and ball game, which involves players acting as batters and fielders. The aim of the game is to get the most amount of runs in a game. A run is scored by hitting the ball and then running to a post known as the crease at the other end of the pitch. If a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, then that player is out. This game originates from Southern England in the 16th century. It later became the national sport of England, and it is now enjoyed all over the world. The Ashes are one of the most famous sporting events of all time. The Ashes are played between the English and Australian teams biannually.

Golf

Golf is a ball sport whereby players use a club to hit a ball across a series of holes on a course. Golf originates from Scotland in the 15th century, although some people believe it dates back much further to the Roman era. Australia has approximately 1500 golf courses. Some of the most famous golf competitions include the Masters, the PGA Championships, and the US Open. Royal Melbourne West is said to be on of the best golf courses in Australia.
Rugby
Rugby is a contact sport, where two teams of players battle it out to get a rugby ball over a certain line. There are two major types of rugby: Rugby League and Rugby Union. Each of which has it's own rules and regulations. Some of the famous Australian rugby team include the Quantas Wallabies, the Wallaroos, and the Qantas Men's Sevens.

Netball

Netball is a type of contact sport which is played with two teams, each of which have seven players. The idea of the game is to get the ball through a net in the opposite end of the course, without having the ball stolen from you by a defender. Netball games last for 60 minutes. The ANZ championship takes place in Australia and New Zealand. Netball is a sport typically played by women, however some men's teams do exist.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport, whereby horses race one another to reach a finish line. Often there are a series of hurdles that they will have to jump over to get there. A famous horse race in Australia is the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

If you want to know more about the sporting world, then you can sign up to a specialist sporting service, where a trained specialist will be able to teach you the rules of the game, and all the most popular sporting headlines, so that you can always stay up to date with what's going on.

Different sports are played in Australia. It is necessary to follow certain rules while playing these games or sports. Playing without any rules is no fun, so learn the rules of Australian sports to develop interest in the sport.

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