Ground (cricket) facts for kids

In cricket, the word ground can mean two different things. It can be the big area where the game is played, like a stadium. It can also be a special small area on the field where a player is safe from being run out and can score points.

What is a Cricket Stadium?

A cricket stadium (or ground) is the big place where cricket matches happen. It includes the playing field and all the areas around it, like the stands where fans watch. Famous examples are the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

The Batsman's Safe Zone

The two popping creases (lines) and the area between them are the only part of the field between the two batsmens' grounds.

In cricket, the two batsmen's grounds are safe areas on the field. Batters run between these two safe zones to score points. If a batter is not in one of these safe zones, they risk being out.

One safe ground is at the striker's end, where the batter hits the ball. The other safe ground is at the bowler's end, where the bowler throws the ball. There is a wicket (three stumps with bails on top) in each of these safe grounds.

A player can only be run out or stumped if the wicket is hit down (knocked over) when no batter is inside that specific safe ground.

• A batter is considered safe in a ground if they, or the bat they are holding, are touching the ground inside that safe area.
• To be truly safe, a batter must reach their ground before the other batter does.
• The batter who is closest to the wicket that was knocked down, and is not in a safe ground, is the one who is out.

To score a run, one batter must be in each safe ground. Then, they must quickly swap grounds.

Images for kids

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  The Sydney Cricket Ground in 2016.