batsmen

A batsman is a cricketer who bats. In each innings, two batsmen occupy the crease, facing deliveries from the opposition. The primary objective is to score runs while protecting the wicket, and to build partnerships that advance the team's total. Batsmen must adapt to different bowling styles, pitch conditions, and game formats, from long Test matches to fast-paced Twenty20 games.

Batsmen rely on technique and concentration. They stand with a side-on stance, grip the bat with both hands, and choose shots based on the ball's length and line. They use footwork, balance, and shot selection to defend, drive, pull, cut, or sweep, and to rotate the strike. Batsmen can bat right-handed or left-handed, which affects stance and angles.

Roles vary by position in the batting order. Opening batsmen set the foundation, while middle-order players consolidate and chase runs. Lower-order batsmen contribute with added scoring or to support the earlier batsmen. In limited-overs cricket, power-hitting alongside traditional technique has become common.

Equipment includes a bat, pads, gloves, and a helmet, plus other protective gear. Modern bats are shaped for power and control, while protective gear aims to reduce injury.

Runs are scored by striking the ball and running between the wickets, or by hitting boundaries—four runs for a ball reaching the boundary, six for clearing it. A batsman's dismissal ends his or her innings, with common modes including bowled, caught, leg before wicket (lbw), run out, and stumped.

The term "batsman" is traditional in cricket, with "batter" increasingly used to emphasize gender neutrality. For analysis and statistics, the performance of individual batsmen is tracked through runs, averages, centuries, and strike rates.