What do a Nightwatchman, a Duck, and a Maiden Have in Common???
November 18th, 2008
Submitted by: Jimmy Spann
The answer is that they are all terms in exciting game of Cricket. A nightwatchman is a batsman who comes in to bat out of order towards the end of a day’s play in a multi-day game. If a batsman gets out without scoring any runs, he is said to be out for a duck. And if a bowler completes an over without any runs being scored from it, it is termed a maiden.
Cricket is the largest sport in India and is also commonly played in England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. I have seen part of a game played a few years ago and it has intrigued me since. The game takes a lot of skill as well as a lot of discipline and persistence. I have never had the opportunity to be a part of any sporting event that lasted over multiple days, and think that it would take a lot of talent and strategy to win a game of cricket.
The game is very similar to Baseball in the cases that there is someone throwing a ball towards a player from the opposing team. This is referred to as bowling the balls, where the bowler is the one throwing the ball and the batsman is the one attempting to hit the ball. If the batsman swings and misses, then it is called a ball. Six balls constitutes an over, at which time a new bowler and batsman start the process all over again. A typical game usually lasts around 55 overs.
There are a few ways of scoring runs. The easiest way is to hit the ball and then run between the wickets, which will score a single run. The other way of scoring is to hit the ball out of the playing field. If this is done without bouncing 6 runs are scored, while only 4 are scored if it bounces at least once before leaving the playing field.
I, like many others, enjoy playing and watching all kinds of sports. I would be interested in attempting to play this game before we embark on our adventure. What are everyone’s thoughts on the game and possibly the chance of trying to play some afternoon before we leave?
This is the basics that will help everyone get started and the link listed below has an in depth description of the game:
http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/hosking/cricket/explanation.htm
Also here is a fun fact about the game:
The longest and highest scoring game on record was 9 days long between South Africa and England and it ended with an agreed upon draw.
This Youtube video also helped me understand the basics. And many others gave me more insight to the game:
Entry Filed under: China, India, Pre-Departure
15 Comments Add your own
1. Emily Schaapveld | December 15th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I have to admit that I knew absolutely NOTHING about cricket before our first team practice this year. I went to our first practice envisioning that it was something like baseball, but I quickly found out that it was a completely different sport…and way more fun! I am excited to learn more about the sport and cannot wait make to play in India. I only hope that I don’t embarrass myself too much.
2. Alex Thornton | December 17th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
The Youtube video is an excellent primer on the rules of cricket. Although baseball is the most analogous sport to compare cricket to, the two sports seem wildly different. And judging from the video, it looks like cricket takes a lot of athleticism and practice to become proficient at. I wonder if our team will stand a chance against the Indian MBA students…
3. Jason Silver | January 26th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
It seems that many people are worried that we won’t be able to hold our own against the Indian MBA’s when we play in India. By watching these videos and actually practicing the game, we definitely have a chance to put up a good fight. We should plan on practicing multiple times before we leave for India, and make sure that people actually show up. The old adage, “Practice makes perfect”, is certainly true.The more we play, the better we will get, and the better chance we have at beating the Indian MBA’s. So for all those who hope to stand a fighting chance against the Indian MBA’s, I’ll see you on the pitch.
4. Catherine Kristensen | February 6th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
This post is a great intro to Cricket. Those of us who have attended a practice (or two) may have already become familiar with some of the basic Cricket terms, but there are so many phrases to learn - especially if you want to get into hazing!
I came across these terms - and hope to improve my game so I am never referred to as such!
A “rabbit” is the term for a player who is a poor batsman.
A “ferret” is the term for an even WORSE batsman.
A “pie thrower” is a bowler who… well… who really stinks.
It is important to stay focused, so you never miss a “dolly” (an easy catch).
On a more positive note, these are some phrases that are saved for the MVPs on the pitch:
A “jaffa” is the term for a delivery bowled so well by the bowler that it is unplayable by the batsman. This type of bowl can also be referred to as a “peach.”
A “Skipper” is the name used for the team captain.
A celebratory “Jai Ho” (a phrase made popular by the “Slumdog” themesong) is an appropriate rally cry as it translates to “be victorious.” That is a fun one to shout out as your teammate cracks the “cherry” (a term for the cricket ball, because of its red color) beyond the outfield.
(reference: http://www.abcofcricket.com/)
5. Phil Hamer | February 9th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
One good way to get excited about Cricket (besides learning how to play I suppose) is to watch the movie Lagaan. In the movie, a group of Indian peasants protest the heavy taxes (lagaan) put on them by the British and a senior officer offers to cancel their taxes for three years if they can win a game of cricket. Here is the trailer.
Unlike the sports movies that I am used to watching where short highlights are typically shown of the underdog doing poor in the beginning of the game, managing to tie the score at the end and then miraculously winning, the movie Lagaan shows a Cricket game almost in its entirety. Half the movie is the actual Cricket game in real time! The game is long but it does keep you on the edge of your seats and the movie has the bollywood music and dance that we love so much. It’s a good movie. Let me know if you want to borrow it.
6. Danielle Steussy | February 17th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Cricket does have some peculiar terminology but those players are definitely serious. After playing softball for a good portion of my life and growing up in a baseball-loving family, I have to admit that I think cricket may be the more disciplined sport. I saw the similarities between baseball (and softball) and cricket, but I definitely noticed some big differences. Aside from the bat, ball, lack of gloves (ouch!!!) and pretty much completely different layout of the field, the mentality of cricket is so much more complex. Sure, baseball has plenty of strategy, but cricket is a pure thinking sport and truly requires the support of each and every player on the team.
I suppose that many people may disagree with me on this theory of superiority, but after seeing baseball’s reputation getting tarnished by the use of steroids and most players getting too cocky for their own good and just simply getting lazy out on the field, cricket is quite refreshing. I love how it seems to be such a genuine and strategic sport.
For more information on the big differences between baseball and cricket, I found the wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_between_cricket_and_baseball, to be highly useful.
7. Jay Ponto | February 19th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Like Emily, I had knew nothing about playing cricket before coming to a cricket practice event last quarter. It is a very fun game, but I am not too optimistic about our ability to competitively play against the MET students when we get to India. Even with more practice, I’m not extremely confident we can beat them at their own game.
However, I think we should do our best to attempt to have more cricket practices, especially during the spring quarter. These will increase our proficiency at the game, and ensure that we don’t look like total novices to our Indian counterparts. AND, to entice more MBA’s to attend, we should make it a dual cricket practice and Indian food lunch/dinner (eating after we play of course)!!! I would gladly chip in and participate in such an event, and I’m sure many of the other MBA students would as well!!!
8. William Ary | February 21st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Even the British make fun of the confusing nature of the game of cricket (while loving it all the more). I can recall several Monty Python sketches all of which are probably on Youtube that illustrate both the tendency for terminology to be hilarious as well as the LONG games that have been played. I vividly remember a sketch where some batsmen age Indiana Jones style in front of the camera as they wait for their team mate be out.
As to encouraging preparation for a high quality game against the MET students, I think a different multinational sport like soccer might give us a leg up because it is absolutely hopeless with cricket, no matter how many Fridays I spend practicing or how easy they decide to go on us. I have resigned to losing with some semblance of dignity.
9. Tim Lynds | March 3rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
As any Cal Poly student knows, the best way to learn is by doing. Cricket is no exception. With that said when is our next game? We have had a couple successful group games where we all learned a lot and had a blast, but more practice is in order. I know the last time a game was organized there was a terrible turnout, but I think that was a fluke. I am sure there will be a great turnout for the next game. Maybe next time we can learn some more cricket terminology so that we can talk the talk as well as walk the walk when we get to India.
10. Jordan Wente | March 4th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
It sounds and looks like a really interesting and fun game. I have not yet had the opportunity to play in our pre-departure practices but I am going to have to make a point to get involved now that I understand the game a little more. It would be really interest to get to go to a game while we are in India. There was an interesting article in The New York Times last week about South Africa’s tragic defeat to India in February. South Africa won the first test but was defeated in the second. The times article stated it “South Africa fell just short of completing one of the greatest rearguard actions in cricket history.” (NYTimes Article) Apparently this game would have won them the series and taken the spot at the top of the official world rankings over India. Even just reading the article you can feel how intense this sport is. I bet India is ecstatic to still be No. 1!
11. Michael Minasian | March 10th, 2010 at 9:17 am
This is very interesting to me. As a self proclaimed sports-guru, I am interested in expanding my knowledge of the rules, the game, and techniques necessary to play it.
I’m thinking we are somewhat foolish to attempt to beat the Indian MBA students at their own game, but it is sure worth a shot. We should get together for another game soon to practice!
Also, learning some cricket trivia could come in handy. As Jamal Malik found out in Slumdog Millionaire, it could win you quite a bit of money!
12. Frederick Peemoeller | March 12th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
As an American, my god given talents are going to show on the playing field. You need a bowler, I am your man. If you want a nightwatchman to wreak havoc on some poor MBA students on the other side of the globe, then get ready for some action. My intimidation factor alone should be enough, but I am going to show off the whole package. Some might think I came to this school for the education….those people are wrong. Its all about winning, and I want winners!!!
13. Chase Janvrin | March 18th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Fred, I dig your enthusiasm. But I think the only hope we have to not totally embarrass our otherwise athletic selves, is to get on the field and practice. If you’ve never played before, just trying to throw a ball without bending your elbow can be tough. And I still can’t figure out how it’s even possible to hit a ball AFTER it’s already hit the ground, especially when it’s spinning like a top. So next quarter, I hope we can all get out, practice a little bowling and who knows, maybe grill up some curry burgers with some chai porter to make it ‘authentic’.
14. Jeff | March 18th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
In martial arts, the saying is that “— perfect — practice makes perfect”.
I hope we have a good coach. My expertise is not really in team sports but has been one-on-one combat. If that can be of use in cricket, then maybe I can be useful.
The problem is that when you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
15. Michael Harroch | March 19th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
OK team, what better time to start practicing than spring time? Now that the weather is nice we could make this a regular Saturday activity.
I think that if we somewhat know what we are doing when we play in India we will get much more out of the experience. I also think the local MBA students would be very impressed if we they saw we know cricket. It would be like if a group of American students played soccer with locals in Paris (something I have yet to see).
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