Cricket in 30 Seconds
New to cricket? No problem. Here’s the quick version so you can follow the action, enjoy the big moments and join in with the crowd.
What is T20?
Two teams bat and bowl once each.
Each team gets 20 overs to score as many runs as possible.
It’s a fast, high‑energy format with big hits, quick changes of momentum and a clear finish.
The aim: Score more runs than the other team.
How scoring works
Runs: Batters score by running between the wickets.
Four: The ball reaches the boundary after bouncing.
Six: The ball clears the boundary without bouncing.
Quick tip: The scoreboard shows runs, wickets and overs. If you can follow those three, you’re set.
What’s a wicket?
A wicket is what everyone cheers for when the batting team loses a batter (an “out”). Each team has 10 wickets available (10 batters can get out).
Common ways a batter can be out
- Bowled: The ball hits the stumps.
- Caught: A fielder catches the ball before it hits the ground.
- Run out: A fielder hits the stumps with the ball while a batter is out of their ground.
- LBW: The ball hits the batter’s pad and would have hit the stumps (the umpire decides).
What’s an over?
An over is 6 legal balls bowled by one bowler.
After 6 balls, a different bowler bowls the next over from the other end.
In T20:
- 20 overs per team
- 120 balls per innings (if there are no interruptions)
What to cheer (the big moments)
If you’re not sure when to get excited, these moments are the easiest to spot:
A six (big hit, big noise)
A wicket (a key turning point)
A great catch (often changes the match)
A quick run‑out chance (sudden drama)
The final overs (the finish can swing quickly)
Mini glossary
Wide
A ball bowled too far from the batter to reasonably hit.
Result: The batting team gets 1 run, and the ball is bowled again.
No-ball
An illegal delivery (most commonly the bowler oversteps the line).
Result: The batting team gets 2 runs, the ball is bowled again, and the next delivery is a Free Hit (so the batter can only get out if he's run out).
Powerplay
A set period at the start of an innings when fielders are restricted from spreading out - six overs in the T20 Blast.
Result: More space available in the outfield, nearer the boundary, so Powerplay overs are often a time for fast scoring.
If you only remember three things…
- 20 overs each
- Runs come quickly (especially fours and sixes)
- Wickets change everything
To learn more about the Vitality Blast competition format, you can read up on the ECB website here..