Cricket Academy

A Test match is played over five scheduled days with each team batting twice (two innings per side). The match is governed by the ICC Men's Test Match Playing Conditions effective June 2025, which incorporates the Laws of Cricket within the Spirit of Cricket preamble.

A One Day International is a single-innings match where each team bats for a maximum of 50 overs. The match must be completed in one day with provisions for DLS method in rain-affected games.

A Twenty20 International is the shortest format where each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs. Fast-paced and designed for entertainment.

Fielding restrictions limit the number of fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during specific phases of an innings, encouraging aggressive batting.

A free hit is awarded to the batting side after any no-ball. On a free hit delivery, the batsman cannot be dismissed by any means other than run out, hit the ball twice, or obstructing the field.

When a limited-overs match ends in a tie, a Super Over is used to determine the winner. Each team bats for one over with three batsmen. If still tied, subsequent Super Overs are played.

Rules governing when a new ball can be taken vary by format.

A no-ball is called for various illegal deliveries. The rules differ slightly between formats.

A wide is called when the ball passes too far from the batsman to play a normal shot. The definition is stricter in limited-overs formats.

A batsman is out LBW if the ball would have hit the stumps but is intercepted by the batsman's body (usually the pad). Complex conditions apply.

Teams must maintain minimum over rates. Penalties apply for slow over rates and differ by format.

The Decision Review System (DRS) is a technology-based process for assisting match officials with decision-making. It allows on-field umpires to consult with the third umpire (Umpire Review) and permits players to request the third umpire review on-field decisions (Player Review).

Each team is given a limited number of unsuccessful reviews per innings. Reviews are retained if the on-field decision is overturned or if "Umpire's Call" is the result.

The DRS uses multiple cutting-edge technologies to assist the third umpire in reviewing decisions.

Umpire's Call is a concept used when ball-tracking technology shows a marginal decision. If the ball is shown to be clipping the stumps (less than 50% of the ball hitting), the on-field decision stands — the original umpire's call is upheld.

A step-by-step process is followed when a player review is requested.

Not all decisions can be challenged using DRS. Only specific types of dismissals can be reviewed by players.

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is the ICC's official formula to fairly calculate the winning side when inclement weather interrupts a limited-overs match and time is lost. It replaced the older Duckworth-Lewis method in 2014.

DLS calculates revised targets based on the "resources" available to each team. Resources are a combination of overs remaining and wickets in hand — a team with 40 overs and 10 wickets has 100% resources.

DLS provides "par scores" at every point of the innings, so if play is abandoned, the team ahead of the par score wins.

Examples of how DLS is applied in different rain interruption scenarios.

The ICC Code of Conduct exists to maintain the public image, popularity and integrity of cricket by providing an effective means to deter participants from conducting themselves improperly.

The Code classifies offences into four levels based on severity, with escalating penalties.

Demerit points accumulate over a rolling 24-month period. Reaching certain thresholds triggers automatic suspensions.

Batters in international cricket must wear helmets compliant with British Standard BS 7928:2013 + A1:2019 if they choose to wear head protection.

The Laws of Cricket specify maximum dimensions for cricket bats to maintain fair balance between bat and ball.

ICC has specific regulations about cricket clothing, equipment, and what players can wear or use during matches.

A bowler's arm must not extend by more than 15 degrees between the arm reaching horizontal and the ball being released. Exceeding this is classified as "throwing" and is an illegal bowling action.

Match officials report suspected illegal bowling actions. The player then undergoes formal testing at an ICC-accredited facility.

ICC receives a rating on the performance of the pitch and outfield for every international match. The Match Referee completes assessments after each match.

The ICC Anti-Corruption Code prohibits match-fixing, spot-fixing, and any corrupt conduct in cricket. All participants must report approaches.

ICC follows the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Players can be tested in and out of competition.

ICC has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind — racial, religious, gender-based, or other forms of prejudice.

ICC sets rules about which country a player can represent in international cricket. Players must meet nationality and residency requirements.

The detailed Player Review protocol as extracted from Appendix D of the ICC Playing Conditions. A player may request a review of any dismissal decision (except Timed Out). Only the batter can review an Out decision; only the fielding captain can review a Not Out decision.

The ICC defines three specific zones for LBW review via ball-tracking technology: Pitching Zone, Impact Zone, and Wicket Zone. Each has precise definitions that determine Umpire's Call outcomes.

Each team gets a set number of unsuccessful reviews per innings. The rules for when reviews are retained vs lost are precisely defined.

The on-field umpire has discretion to refer certain decisions to the third umpire without using player reviews. This is separate from Player Reviews.

For DRS to be used in a match, specific minimum camera and technology requirements must be satisfied.

The T20I over-rate penalty is unique: if the fielding team is behind the required rate, the number of fielders allowed outside the circle is REDUCED. This is extracted directly from Clause 13.8 of the ICC Men's T20I Playing Conditions.

ODI fielding restrictions are structured in three Powerplay phases. These are from Clause 28.7 of the ICC Men's ODI Playing Conditions.

T20I has a single Powerplay phase plus standard fielding restrictions. Maximum bowling limit is 4 overs per bowler.

The follow-on rule allows the team batting first to enforce the opposing team to bat again immediately if they lead by a specified margin. From Clause 14 of the ICC Test Match Playing Conditions.

The batting team's captain may declare their innings closed at any time, and may even forfeit an innings entirely. From Clause 15.

The Super Over procedure from Appendix G (ODI) and Appendix F (T20I) of the ICC Playing Conditions. Used to determine winners when the match is tied.

DLS application rules from the actual ICC ODI and T20I Playing Conditions. Clause 16.4 details when DLS is applied.

If a player is diagnosed with concussion during a match, they can be replaced by a like-for-like substitute who can bat, bowl, and field.

The Preamble to the ICC Playing Conditions establishes the Spirit of Cricket as the moral foundation of the game. Every format's playing conditions begins with this.

Clause 21 of the Playing Conditions defines all modes of No Ball. The third umpire automatically checks front-foot no-balls using TV replays.

The interpretation of a Wide delivery varies significantly between formats. T20I has the strictest interpretation.

The Impact Player (formerly Impact Sub) allows teams to make a tactical substitution during the match. Each team names five potential substitutes before the match, and one can be introduced at specific points.

Each innings has two strategic timeouts of 2.5 minutes each — one taken by the bowling team and one by the batting team at specified intervals.

IPL uses an auction system for player recruitment with strict squad composition and salary cap rules. Mega auctions every 3 years and mini auctions annually.

IPL has used DRS since 2018 and has expanded its scope to cover more decision types than standard ICC T20I rules.

IPL enforces strict over-rate penalties with both fielding restriction changes and financial sanctions.

The Big Bash League introduced the Power Surge — a unique floating 2-over powerplay that the batting team can activate at any time after the 10th over.

BBL has specific squad composition, draft requirements, and a salary cap system.

BBL introduced several innovations including replacing the coin toss with a bat flip.

The Hundred is a revolutionary format using 100 balls per innings instead of the traditional over-based system. It uses 5-ball overs and allows bowlers to bowl consecutive overs.

The Hundred has unique bowling constraints — bowlers can bowl consecutive sets but with a maximum cap, and can freely change ends.

The Hundred has its own powerplay and penalty rules that differ from standard T20.

The Caribbean Premier League follows standard T20 format with specific player composition rules reflecting the Caribbean cricket ecosystem.

The 6ixty is CPL's revolutionary T10 format with several unique rules that push the boundaries of cricket innovation.

The Pakistan Super League uses a draft system (similar to North American sports) rather than an auction. It was also a pioneer in adopting DRS for domestic T20s.

PSL has a detailed tiebreaker system for the group stage if teams finish on equal points.

SA20 is South Africa's premier T20 league. It uses an auction-based player acquisition system and has close ties with IPL franchise owners.

A comparison of key rules across the major T20 franchise leagues worldwide.