cricketer

A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. In its formal form, cricket is played between two teams of eleven on a large oval field with a central rectangular pitch. The team batting aims to score runs while the opposing team fields and bowls to dismiss batsmen and limit scoring. Cricket is played in several formats, including Test cricket (the longest form), One Day Internationals, and Twenty20s, with corresponding domestic competitions around the world.

Players may specialize as batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, or wicketkeepers, though many contribute in multiple roles. Equipment includes a cricket bat, a hard leather ball, pads, gloves, and often a helmet. A match proceeds through a series of overs in limited formats or two innings in longer forms, with runs gained by running between wickets or by boundaries. Common modes of dismissal include bowled, caught, leg before wicket, and run out. Scoring and statistics track milestones such as centuries, five-wors, bowling averages, and career records.

Cricketers develop through clubs, schools, and age-group programs, progressing to domestic leagues and national teams. The sport is governed internationally by the International Cricket Council, with member boards administering national teams and domestic competitions. Prominent professional leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, and county cricket in England, provide high-level competition and visibility. Recognition arises from performance across formats, selection for national squads, and performance-based rankings and records.