Editing Cricket (section)

== Social cricket variations ==

A wide variety of versions of cricket are played throughout the world, many of which are important as stepping stones towards more serious cricket.  8 year old children obviously do not play 2 innings per side over 5 days versions of cricket.  Children playing together at a park do not have 11 players to play on each side.  As such, there are a wide variety of other variations of cricket, the most well known variations of which are:

=== French cricket ===

French cricket quite simply has 1 bat and 1 ball (usually a tennis ball) and can be played with as few as 2 people - a bowler and a batsman.  There are no wickets involved, as your legs are wickets.  French cricket can be played with as many people as you like, although more than 6 is unusual.  

Rules of French cricket:
* A bowler must bowl underarm only.
* They must bowl the ball from further away than what the batsman could hit with their bat at full stretch (partially to avoid injury to the bowler).
* The batsman must have their 2 legs touching each other all the way up, ankles together, standing up straight.
* If the batsman fails to hit the ball, they may not move their legs.
* The bowler must bowl the ball from where it lands (either when hit, or where it lands after it is last bowled).
* Whichever fielder gets the ball is the new bowler.
* Whoever either catches the ball or else hits the batsman on his legs gets to be the new batsman.

How you can be out in French cricket:
* Caught - one hand one bounce is generally considered to be okay, at least with only 2 or 3 players.
* 6 and out - if you hit it over the fence, or the ball is lost, you are generally out.
* Bowled - if it hits your legs, you are out.
* Moved your legs without hitting the ball - if you move your legs then that is cheating and you are out.
* Hit the bowler - if your bat hits the bowler (especially in the face), then you are out.

French cricket is often played by small children and is especially popular for girls.  Many girls insist on only playing French cricket, or perhaps Barbecue cricket.

=== Backyard cricket ===

Backyard cricket is generally played in your backyard, with as many people as can fit in your backyard, usually between 3 and 10.  Whilst this is generally a sociable thing often played by children (although adults also often play it at parties), there is also such a thing as "International Backyard cricket", although even this is not very serious.

Rules for backyard cricket are decided upon by whoever is playing on the day.  There are some general rules, which include:
* One hand one bounce - it is okay to catch someone if the ball bounces once, so long as you catch it with one hand.
* 6 and out - if it goes over your neighbour's fence or otherwise the ball gets lost, then you are out.
* Off the wall can still be caught
* If the dog/tree/clothesline catches it, you are out
* LBW below the knee - if it hits you below the knee, no matter where you are, that is out.
* Automatic wicket keeper - if it hits the back fence behind the wickets, it is assumed that a wicket keeper would have caught it and you are out.
* Electric wickets - If a fielder hits the wickets at either end and you were out of your ground then you are out.
* Tippie goes - If you hit it, you must run
* Whoever gets you out bats next - although sometimes they just make sure that everyone bats
* Can't be out first ball

Backyard cricket is usually played by children aged 5-15 or so, although some adults also play it at parties at someone's house.  It is very big socially in countries which love cricket and is especially popular in Australia and New Zealand.  It is a way that children are introduced to cricket.

=== Beach cricket ===

Beach cricket, as the name suggests, is played on the beach.  It is generally just a social game, although there have been "International Beach cricket", although even that was not particularly serious.  International Beach cricket was, however, shown on international TV.  Beach cricket is especially popular in the West Indies, although it has a degree of popularity also in Australia and other countries who love cricket.  Beach cricket usually has a minimum of 5 players but can go up to 20 or 30 or as many as are there.  

Rules for beach cricket are decided upon by whoever is playing on the day.  There are some general rules, which include:
* In the sea is out - although some people think that that is 4 runs instead.
* If it hits someone who isn't playing, it is out

Otherwise, much the same rules as per backyard cricket, except that you usually have a wicket keeper hence no automatic wicket keeper is required, and also no 6 and out.

Unlike backyard cricket, which is usually played with individuals batting, beach cricket can be played in teams.

Beach cricket is a very social activity.  Often if people are playing beach cricket, people who they have never met before can walk up to them and ask to join in, which is usually accepted.  You can start playing beach cricket with just 2 families of 5 or 6 people total and end up with half the beach playing, with 20, 30 or more people all involved.  Special rules are usually made for women and children, who can bowl underarm, can bowl from closer, and are allowed to throw the ball instead of bowling properly, while bowlers bowling to women and children are generally bowling a bit easier to hit balls.  

=== Barbecue cricket ===

A barbecue is often seen as the ideal setting for playing cricket.  A number of families, or one extended family, goes to a park, cooks some sausages, and then someone brings out a cricket set and everyone plays.  This is in many ways superior to beach cricket because the ball bounces more easily and there is no sea to worry about.  Other families who are at the park independently usually either join in or else move a bit further away.  There is no need for a "6 and out" rule, as it is usually either impossible or else very difficult to hit it so far that the ball is lost.  Barbecue cricket is usually played while drinking beer (for guys) and even while eating.  

Barbecue cricket has a big cultural setting in Australia and New Zealand especially, although it is also played in South Africa and England and in other countries which love cricket.  India and the sub continent play their own version of barbecue cricket, but call it "Park cricket", which can be a bit more serious.

Barbecue cricket is not usually played in teams, as everyone who is not batting is a fielder.