Globalcompose.com sample term paper on cricket

1. Sample Term Paper on Cricket
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Introduction
Sports and sporting activities have become significant aspects of modern civilisation. Most
of today’s complex games have evolved from simple ideas of the pre World War II epoch.
Before the second world war, most sporting activities were conducted mainly for leisure and
social pass time activities, today sports has taken complex and professional platform whose
aims have since changed from only leisure to sources of income and economic drivers.
From a clinical perspective, sporting activities are important in one’s life and more
especially to children and adolescents as it aids in their physical and psychological
development. Cricket, just like soccer, rugby and athletics commands mass and passionate
following all over the world. The sport which began in the pre-restoration era in England has
achieved significant influence worldwide. Like all other professional sporting activities,
cricket has rules and international organizations that oversee their implementation govern
the sport. This paper takes interest in discussing cricket as a sport and the various benefits
that accompany it.
Literature Review
Although the origins of cricket remain uncertain, the game is thought to have originated
from south-east England during the 16th century (Johnson, 2016). The earliest
documented evidence of the game dates back to a 1958 court case in which “creckett” was
attested to have been played on a common land in Guildford around 1550. In the case, 59-
year-old coroner, John Derrick testified that during his tenure as a scholar at “Free School
at Guildford,” five decade earlier, “hee and diverse of his fellows did runne and play at
creckett and other plaies (Mortimer, 2013). There however exist other claims suggesting
that the game could have existed earlier than the documented date, as early as 1300,
these claims however are lacking in evidence and have since been treated only as rumour
and innuendo.
It is believed that the game was primarily played by children though documented evidence
from 1611 show that adult participation in the game also occurred. The game initially as a
social pass time activity organised between parishes and slowly grew into an organized
activity; this is attested to by a newspaper reporting of “a great cricket match” between two
teams each with eleven players that took place in Sussex in 1697 (Mortimer, 2013). The
18 century witnessed significant changes to the sport. Initially, the ball was rolled and
skimmed towards the batsman by the bowler, this changed to pitching around 1760. This
evolution also paved way to introduction of the modern straight bat in place of the old
“hockey stick” shape. The first international cricket game is recalled to have taken place in
1844 between Canada and the United States, since then the game has tremendously
advanced and today there exist numerous international and intercontinental cricket
tourneys.
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2. Traditionally, cricket is a ball and bat contest between two teams, eleven players a piece.
The playing surface is usually a grassy circular or oval field, whose size may vary
depending on the competition as there are no rules specifying its size, with a rectangular
strip (pitch) at the centre (MCC, 2016). The team kit is usually all-white jersey and pants,
this however witnesses alterations when it comes to limited overs cricket in which the
participants dress in club or team colours. Additionally, players are allowed to put on
protective gear to avoid injuries by the ball. The game is played in two phases called
innings in which the teams switch between fielding and batting. During play, all the eleven
members of the fielding team are allowed into the field of play as opposed to only two
members of the batting team. Scoring is determined in terms of the number of runs and
extras.
Materials of the game
Playing surface
Figure 1: a typical cricket field
The game is played on a grass surfaced field. The dimensions of the field are not specified
by the laws of the game, the field is however oval or circular in shape with a centred
rectangular strip known as pitch. The pitch is often flat in terrain, about 10 feet in width and
with very short grass. Wooden targets known as wickets are placed 20 metres apart at
either end of the pitch. The wickets act as targets for the fielding/bowling side and are
defended by the batting team.
Figure 2; image of cricketers showing, a batter, a wicketkeeper and two fielders
Stumps, bails and creases
Figure 3; image of a wicket
A wicket often consists of three wooden stumps vertically aligned with each other. Two
wooden cross-pieces referred to as bails often surmount the stumps. The combined height
of the stumps and bails should be 28.5 inches while the total width of stumps and inter-
stump spacing usually totals to 9 inches (MCC, 2016).
Figure 4; a typical cricket pitch
Crease is the term that is used to refer to a set of four lines painted around the wicket
areas to demarcate the batsman’s “safe territory” as well as and to establish the limit of the
bowler’s approach. The four creases are; one popping/batting crease, one bowling crease
and two return creases. Stumps are often hammered onto the ground in line on the bowling
crease which is usually 8 feet 8 inches long and are centred along the crease. The popping
crease has the same dimensions as the bowling crease; it is parallel to the bowling crease
and 4 feet in front it. The return creases are parallel to each other and run from the ends of
the popping crease through the ends of the bowling crease.
Bat and ball
Figure 5; typical cricket bats
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3. The game involves a bowler pitching a ball from one end of the pitch towards a batman
armed with a bat on the opposite end. The bat is a wooden instrument with its lower part
having the shape of a blade while the upper part is a cylindrical base. The bat is designed
with a width not exceeding 4.25 increase and total length not more than 38 inches. (MCC,
2016). The ball is a tough solid object comprising of seamed leather surrounding a cork
core, it has a total circumference of 9 inches. On the surface of the ball are six rows of
stitches known as “seam” which bind the shell of the ball to the string and cork inside. For a
new ball, the seam is outstanding and aids in propelling the ball in an unpredictable way,
the seam however wears out with continued use. Due to its hardness and the speed at
which it is pitched, the ball poses great danger to batsmen, as a result. Batsmen are
required to put on gear which include; helmet for head protection, pads for knees and shin
protection, batting gloves for protecting the hands and a box inside the trousers to guard
the crotch area.
Laws of cricket
The rules which govern the structure of the game, conduct of players and officials were
established by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a private club based in London in England.
Overall, there are 42 laws governing the game (MCC, 2016), this article however, will only
highlight the rules governing the game structure as well as scoring and winning.
Structure of the Game
1) Each team consists of 11 players. At any given time when the ball is live, all members of
the fielding/bowling team must be in the field with only two members of the batting team
present.
2) An over can only be complete when the bowler makes a total of six legal deliveries.
3) The game must be officiated by three officials known as umpires. Two of the umpires
should be present on the field standing at either end of the wicket. The third umpire is off
the field and follows the match on recorded clips. The infield umpires are responsible for
counting the number of legal balls in an over, deliberate on whether the batsmen is out
after an appeal as well as checking if the delivery by the bowler is legal.
4) The bowling team should have one designated wicket keeper. This is the only player
allowed to wear protective pads and gloves on the field. The wicket keepers position is on
the opposite side to the bowler to catch the ball in case it is missed by the batman.
5) The fielder. This refers to any of the eleven members of the bowling team. They are
normally positioned to field the ball, to end runs and boundaries and to dismiss batsmen by
catching or running them out.
6) Innings. Teams should deliberate on the number of innings per team for each game
before the start. It should also be pre determined on whether the length of the each innings
is limited by time or overs.
7) The follow-on. In the case of a two innings match, the second team to bat can require
their opponents to bat again in quick succession if they score significantly fewer runs than
their opponents who batted first. The side enforcing the follow-on can potentially win the
match without batting again.
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4. 8) Declaration and forfeiture. The captain of the batting team has authority to close an
inning at any interval of a dead ball. The captain also has authority to forfeit his innings
before it starts.
9) Intervals. The timings and length intervals between innings, lunch, tea and drinks
intervals must be deliberated on before the start of the match.
10) Start of play and cessation of play. The start of play after an interval break begins with
a signal from the umpire; usually a signal of “Play” terminates by a call of “Time” from an
umpire. The last session of a match cannot end with less than 20 overs and if necessary an
extension in time must be allowed to achieve this rule.
11) Practice on the field. Batting and bowling practises on the pitch are not allowed except
before and after the day play. Trial run-ups by bowlers can only be granted if the umpire
perceives that it would not waste time.
Scoring and winning
Scoring runs. A score in cricket is referred to as a run; it can only be achieved when the two
batsmen run their opposite bowler creases. More than one runs can be scored from a single
ball.
12) Boundaries. A boundary define the limits by which a ball is considered live, it is
demarcated round the field of play. Four runs are scored if a ball is hit and rolls past or
drops infield and bounces out of it. Six runs are score when a hit ball does not touch ground
before crossing the boundary.
13) The result. The team with the most runs wins the match, a match is tied when both
team score equal runs and draws when time elapses before all innings are complete.
14) The over. This consists of six legally pitched balls by the bowler.
15) Dead ball. A ball becomes live at the start of a bowlers run and becomes dead when all
action from the ball ends. Scoring and dismissal of batsmen cannot occur during a dead
ball.
16) No ball. This occurs when the bowler bowls from a wrong position, over flexes his
elbow during delivery or when the delivery is considered dangerous.
Aims of cricket
The general aim of cricket and any other game is winning. In cricket winning is achieved
when a team outscore another by collecting more runs and extras than their opponents.
The aim of the game can be viewed from the perspective of the players
Batter
The batter aims at scoring runs by hitting the ball as far and hard as possible to enable
them run between the wickets.
The bowler
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5. The bowler pitches the ball over arm towards the batman with aim to dismiss them or get
them out.
The fielders
The fielders aim is to curtail the batter’s runs and dismiss them by either catching the ball
while still in flight before landing, or hitting the wickets with the ball during the batters run.
The wicketkeeper
The wicketkeeper aims to stop the ball in case the batter misses it or to catch it in flight
before landing.
Objectives of the game
The game has a number of objectives;
1) To promote international relations through games; international and intercontinental
cricket tournaments enhance inter-nation relations and promote peaceful coexistence.
2) To promote physiological and psychological development in teenagers and adolescents
and healthy lifestyles (Gilligan & Smith, 1991). Cricket is a sport that involves physical and
mental engagements by the participants. This is essential in the growth and development of
children and youths.
3) Creation of employment. Although the game was initially a social pass-time, it has
undergone enormous advancements and has become a professional game. Today many
professionals engage in the sport as a source of livelihood.
Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are tied to participation in the game of cricket;
1) Team work skills. Cricket is a team sport that requires team members to coordinate
effectively in order to achieve their aims. Through participation in cricket, participants
acquire essential team skills that enable them to cooperate and work as a team.
2) Skill improvement; through the game, one is able to learn essential game skills which
include; batting skills, throwing, catching, fielding and throwing accuracy.
Age related physiological and psychological effects of playing the game
Dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Since cricket is an outdoor activity which requires participants to be in the open exposed to
heat, there is a high chance of the players being dehydrated, heat stroked and exhausted
as a result of heat exposure. This can happen to persons at any age.
Melanoma and other skin cancers
Research shows that excessive exposure to sunlight increases the risk of one contracting
melanoma and other skin cancers. This effect is also applicable to all cricket players
regardless of age.
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6. Fatigue
Cricket is a physical game that calls for strenuous throws, batting and runs, these activities
require a lot of energy and strong muscle reflexes (Bull, Shambrook, James, & Brooks,
2005). These activities could work against players of tender ages whose muscles and not
well developed (Noakes & Durandt, 2009).
Physical injury
Due to the games intensity and equipment numerous physical injuries are bound to occur.
Statistics estimate cricket injuries at 2.6/10,000 athlete hours resulting in 28.4% to 71.6%
of players sustaining between 1.61 and 1.91 injuries per season (Corrigan, 1994). These
injuries can in form of bony and back injuries by bowlers and injuries by the ball to batters
and fielders. Physical injuries in the game occur to all ages of participants.
Depression
Depression is a psychological effect that has been associated with long term cricketing.
Research shows that a number of the game’s players suffer from depression and other
psychological disorders, these disorders sometimes call for rehabilitation (Hundertmark,
2007).
Discussion
Like other professional games, cricket is a game that has been embraced worldwide. Like
all other sporting activities, the game has a number of benefits both to individuals and
society.
Benefits
Income earner.
Professional cricketers earn livings from the sport, contrary to the purpose during its origin
where it was considered a children game and a social pass time the game is currently
played at high stakes with large number of spectators (Gilligan & Smith, 1991).
Healthy lifestyle;
The physical nature of the game calls for physical fitness that shields one from the many
health hazards associated with current dietary behaviours.
Promotion of social cohesion
Cricket is a game that is fancied by people of vast social backgrounds. It brings together
people from different backgrounds hence strengthening the bonds between them and
enhancing peaceful co-existence.
Comparison with other sporting activities
The benefits of cricket do not contrast with other team sports. Team work, healthy lifestyles,
income earning and promotion of social cohesion are also enjoyed in Soccer, Rugby,
hockey and volleyball. It is thus tempting to conclude that early all team sports that require
physical engagements have similar benefits.
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7. Income
Although a myriad of sports disciplines remunerate their players, Income that is earned by
cricketers outshines the wages earned by other sports disciplines in the world over. It is
evident that cricket in some countries such as India has become like a religion while the
players are considered to be idols. This is influenced by the fact that players who play
Cricket earn colossal amounts of money that has projected them to astronomical levels in
their social status.
Team work
Team unity among the players in any team is the basic threshold required if any team is to
realise good results. Games like rugby, hockey, rugby as well as soccer and cricket highly
depend on how well individual players are able to coordinate with other players in the field.
Cricket as discipline greatly reinforces the issue of team cohesion.
Healthy lifestyle;
It is undeniable that cricket is a physical game just like other sports such as rugby and
soccer. However cricket is more involving. The game not only demands physical fitness but
also the players should be mentally fit. It is therefore prudent to pinpoint that the physical
aspects of the game cushions the players of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and
obesity.
References
Bull, S., Shambrook, C., James, W., & Brooks, &. (2005). Towards an understanding of
mental toughness in elite English cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17, 209–
227.
Corrigan, A. (1994). Cricket injuries. Aust Fam Physician, 13(8), 558–559.
Gilligan, C., & Smith, E. (1991). Physical activity effects on bone metabolism.Calcif Tissue
Int, 50-54.
Hundertmark, J. (2007). Cricketers and mental health concerns. Australas Psychiatry,
15(6), 509–512.
Johnson, B. (2016, November 28). The History of Cricket. Retrieved from History UK (The
History and Heritage Acoomodation Guide): http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-
History-of-Cricket/
MCC. (2016, November 28). Laws. Retrieved from Lord’s (The home of Cricket):
https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws-of-cricket/laws/
Mortimer, B. G. (2013). A History of Cricket in 100 Objects. London: Serpent’s Tail.
Noakes, T., & Durandt, J. (2009). physiological Requirements of Cricket.Journal of sport
science, 18, 919-929.
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