batsmans

A batsman is a player who specializes in the batting aspect of cricket. In most forms of the game, two batsmen bat at a time, occupying the crease while the innings continues. The striker faces the bowler, while the other batsman remains at the non-striker's end. The primary objective is to score runs while protecting the wicket, with teammates in the field aiming to dismiss the batsmen to end the innings or constrain the score.

Batsmen use a cricket bat and protective gear, including pads, gloves, and often a helmet. They can bat right-handed or left-handed. Key techniques include defensive strokes to block deliveries and attacking shots such as drives, cuts, pulls, sweeps, and lofted hits. Effective batsmen rely on proper footwork, balance, shot selection, and the ability to read bowlers and field placements.

Runs are scored either by running between the creases or by boundaries: four if the ball reaches the boundary after being struck, six if it crosses the boundary on the full. Dismissals include bowled, caught, leg before wicket (lbw), run out, stumped, hit wicket, and retired hurt. An innings ends when ten wickets fall or all overs are bowled.

Batsmen are often described by their position in the batting order, such as opening batsman or middle-order batsman. Notable statistics include total runs, batting average (runs per dismissal), strike rate (runs per 100 balls), centuries, and half-centuries.