Howzat for a great Kiwi afternoon?
As well as all the good things in backyard cricket can also come debate over the rules. Zoe George spreads the net far and wide to bring you the (mostly) definitive guide.
Backyard cricket (BYC) is a quintessential part of the classic Kiwi summer. It comes with a sense of nostalgia, whether it’s a quick T20 on Christmas Day in the backyard to burn off lunch, or down at the park, with a pitch that has been lovingly cared for by dad, for some kilikiti.
There have been scorched feet on hot sand while trying to score a ton, and being told we can play on the tarsealed road down the cul-de-sac (diving and sliding is not recommended) but only until the streetlights come on.
For some, it’s down on the farm, surrounded by cousins, with test matches that last days, searching for misplaced balls in the tall pine windbreaks.
There have been a few broken windows too – much to mum’s disapproval but slight pride in the fact you were able to do your best Sophie Devine impression by scoring a quick 50 – and balls disappearing into neighbours’ gardens which can’t be retrieved because they’ve left on summer holidays and it’s not the done thing to jump the fence without permission.
But along with all the good things can also come disagreements on what the rules are for this timehonoured summer tradition. In fact, in preparing this story, often discussions turned into heated debates about whether the one-handone-bounce catch rule is fair and if you can get out LBW.
So we’re taking the pain out of this for you.
We’ve spread the net far and wide to bring you the (mostly) definitive guide to BYC.
Automatic wicketkeeper
Former White Fern turned Spark Sport cricket commentator Rebecca Rolls knows a thing or two about wicketkeeping. She kept the gloves for more than 100 games for New Zealand, including in the White Ferns’ 2000 World Cup victory.
She spent her formative years playing BYC in a local park with the neighbours, on a pitch that had stumps nailed in. Her must-have rule is to have an automatic wicketkeeper.
‘‘If you nick it, or miss the ball and stray from your crease, you are automatically out,’’ she said.
Six and Out no longer counts
Scotty Stevenson joined the Spark cricket commentary roster this year, and spent his childhood playing BYC in Northland. His favourite memory though was playing in Rustenburg in South Africa against all his cousins – some he had met for the first time.
For BYC he said it’s time to hit the Six and Out rule for six. Usually, if a batter hits the ball over the fence it’s an automatic wicket. It should be the bowler, he said, who should take the fall instead.
‘‘The six and out clause needs revoking. If you [the bowler] are punished over the fence, then surely you should go find it,’’ he said.
However, we want to add a caveat here – if you break awindow while batting, you’re out… and should probably contribute to having it fixed.
‘‘Tip and run’’ to give everyone a go
For some, sitting in the outfield making daisy garlands and saving the odd boundary sounds like the perfect contribution to BYC, but for those who want to get among the action, being relegated to the outfield can be disheartening.
BYC is for everyone and everyone gets a go. One way to keep the batting turning over is the ‘‘tip and run’’ rule – if you hit it, you run – said White Ferns captain Sophie Devine.
‘‘Tip and run is amust to make sure one person doesn’t hog the bat for too long,’’ she laughed.
‘‘It’s important because you want everyone to have a crack, though I’m
sure there will be some hard-outs who like to think they’re playing for the Ashes of beach cricket!’’
Another traditional rule was if
you took awicket then you got to bat. But not everyone has the ability to clean bowl someone, or is swift enough in the field to take a catch. Instead, appoint a trusted match referee (aunty maybe?) to keep an eye on the batting/bowling rotation to ensure everyone has a fair go.
And when an inquiry is made regarding how many balls are left in an over, the answer is always ‘‘one to come’’.
You can’t be out first ball, but if you hit it you have to run
There is nothing worse than stepping up to bat and getting out for a duck, so in keeping with the notion of fairness, you can’t get out on the first ball you face. Be warned though ‘‘tip and run’’ applies here, but you can’t be run out on the first ball.
For ball number two onwards, it’s fair game. But, you can’t get out LBW. By all means, appeal loudly – it’s part of the fun – but leg before wicket decisions are far too hard to make.
Adults also have to bat with the smallest piece of willow available.
Ditch the hard cricket ball
Cricket is a sport for all and for those not accustomed to playing with the hard ball, it might be a deterrent. Ditch the hard ball and grab a tennis ball instead. Black Caps paceman Tim Southee has a top tip for those who want to get the new hard-ball feel with a tennis ball.
‘‘You’ve always got to tape up half your tennis ball with insulation tape to replicate that new ball swing,’’ he said.
One-hand-one-bounce catch rule
This rule is arguably one of the most contentious in BYC.
If you’re caught on the full, you’re out. If it bounces once and you’re caught by the dog (who should be in one of the ‘‘silly’’ positions), you’re out.
You can only be out under this rule if the adult human catcher takes the ball with their non-dominant hand. For smaller humans, the onehand-one-bounce rule applies to both hands.
You can also be caught when the ball ricochets off the fence, roof or your dad who is umpiring at squareleg.
Must be sun smart
There’s nothing better than playing BYC on a sunny day, but to play, participants are required to slip, slop, slap and wrap.
The only red thing that should be present during BYC is your aunty’s glass of sangria.
Take regular drinks breaks
Hydration is key for peak performance in BYC. Ask dad to set up the chilly bin (that can double as stumps) and stock it with fresh water, and your favourite summer drink, along with something for the adults to consume responsibly (like you’re aunty’s sangria).
Have fun and play fair
BYC is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned pro, or just starting out, it’s all about getting in there and having some fun. Be kind, let everyone have a fair go and be encouraging. You never know, you may be introducing someone to the game for the first time and in turn creating nostalgic memories and epic BYC stories to share for many years to come.