20 20 Cricket- A Dummies Guide

My friend Matt and his mates had a spare ticket to the 20 20 match on Tuesday and thought I’d appreciate the experience.

Being a live cricket virgin I was nervous and a little apprehensive. Like other ‘first times’ it was awkward at first, I was inexperienced and not sure what to expect but after I while I began to enjoy myself. I even learnt a thing or two!

What I learnt about 20 20 Cricket:

• 20 overs in 1 innings.

• 10 people out means the innings is over.

• 4 runs if the ball hits the rope.

• 6 runs if the ball hits or goes over the rope.

• Fireworks only go off if you hit a 6.

• If a beach ball goes over the fence the bouncer keeps it.

• People who sit in members don’t like Mexican waves.

• People who do Mexican waves don’t like members.

• Americans know nothing about cricket.

• Players look much taller in real life.

• You can’t buy organic food at the cricket.

• If someone catches the ball in the crowd it means 6 runs not that he is out.

• If you catch a ball you must give it back but everyone cheers (even louder if you’re holding a hotdog and beer at the same time).

• Unlike backyard cricket or tip n run the player can choose not to run even if he hits the ball.

• There is no official water boy in cricket, instead the crappiest person on the team is called the ’12th Man’. The 12th Man is everyones bitch, he rarely gets a game but runs water, towels, new gloves and bats to his team mates when needed.

• Half time entertainment involves selected people from the crowd trying to catch balls for money, they look ridiculous but apparently it’s harder than you think.

• Lara Bingles BF is hotter in real life than on the Gillette ads.

Would I go again? Probably not any time soon but as far as live sport goes, it’s definitely worth checking out for the atmosphere and education. Then again if you’ve read this post you probably get the picture.