alt Hacker NewsNah, cricket is pretty analogous to baseball.
Instead of 9 innings there's one inning, at least in ODI or T20 formats (best to watch anyway).
Instead of 3 outs there's 10 outs (called wickets).
An out is having a ball caught after you hit it (same as baseball) or the ball hitting the wickets when at bat (kind of like strikeout) or a fielder knocking the wicket off with the ball before you reach the line, which is basically the same as being thrown out in baseball.
Scoring is similar, you score runs when you run the bases. When it gets hit out, it's basically the same as a homerun except if it goes out after bouncing it's only 4 points, straight out is 6.
If anything it's easier to understand than baseball. No strike/ball count, it's basically you hit it, miss it, or are bowled out. Running is easier to understand too, anytime you reach the other side it's a point.
Most of the complication is during test matches because of tactics/tradition. The basic rules are a lot like baseball.
Also, to get anyone into cricket, just show them a T20 match. More action than baseball.
Replies
If outs are like in baseball, how can there be a "last ball" known before it is bowled -- in baseball balls are delivered until the final out is made.
> Nah, cricket is pretty analogous to baseball.
goes on to use the same term for multiple game actions/objects.
Nah. I ain't buying it.
Signed,
A follower of neither.
> Instead of 3 outs there's 10 outs (called wickets).
> An out is having a ball caught after you hit it (same as baseball) or the ball hitting the wickets when at bat (kind of like strikeout)
I thought a wicket is what you call an out? Now it’s something else, too?
(This kind of thing is why being a baseball fan having cricket explained at you by a Brit feels exactly the same as listening to people play mornington crescent)