The official unofficial guide to backyard cricket


There’s no doubt that backyard cricket is the number one national Aussie game. Indeed, it’s an institution, and I’ve heard on the grapevine that it might be part of the Australian citizen test in the not-too-distant future…
While not quite as common, Bush Cricket is actually one step up in status, given the remoteness of the pitch… er, paddock, beach, sand dune or patch of earth that it may be played on. Backyard cricket can, indeed, be played almost anywhere.
Regardless of age, ability, talent or sobriety. Everyone worth their sweaty armpit’s weight in salt has, at some time in their life, tried to knock the covers off a ball in the hope of ‘knockin it fa’ six’ without quite smacking it over the fence for an ‘out’. But then again, there are bragging rights for scoring a ‘six and out’. I know I go for broke with my wayward swings!
While there are strict rules to Backyard Cricket, they can be altered. Either to suit the environment, the players’ age and ability, or the lack of proper cricket equipment (the bat, ball and wickets.)
Yep, using what’s at hand is better than missing out purely because someone forgot to bring a bat and ball. I recall one of my all-time favourite games used a dunny roll wrapped in gaffer tape as the ball. A short old army shovel was the bat, and it was all played in a huge timber shed. It was one of those unforgettable experiences!
1. Teams must be even but can be ‘balanced’ to create a fairer, more enjoyable game depending on the number of kids, adults, grandparents and drunks. Dogs count as two fielders given their speed and agility, regardless of if they fetch the ball or chase and chew.
2. Only one batter is required to hold the bat at any one time.
3. Once the ball is hit, the bat must be dropped or flung somewhat safely for the next batter to use, while the batting pair attempts to run to their opposite ends of the pitch.
4. If the game is played on a reasonably firm surface, the ball must bounce once before getting to the batter. However, if the surface is soft, sandy, rocky or uneven in any way, then a full toss is good as gold.
5. If the batter is a little kid, frail or drunk as a skunk, an underarm or full toss, soft lollypop or gentle bowl is acceptable.
6. Once the batter has hit the ball, they must run to the opposing end of the pitch. No excuses regardless of if the batter is a kid, frail or drunk as a skunk.
7. Some form of boundary must be declared for the ‘six and out’ rule to take effect. That boundary can be: a wobbly line dragged in the sand by a stick; a rough description that all players understand (just over there near the edge of the long grass); a line of parked cars; or even the water’s edge of the river, lake, dam or ocean.
8. By far, the most prestigious strike in cricket is the six and out. This is where the ball goes over the boundary on the full after being hit by the batter. If the ball hits the aforementioned boundary on the full, then bounces out, it’s a six, not out. If the ball bounces, then goes over the boundary, it’s a four, not out. While there are plenty of arguments over where the ball may have actually landed, these rules are non-negotiable and straightforward, regardless of if you’re a kid, frail or… you know who else.
9. Each bowler gets six bowls, then must rotate fairly, so all fielders get a bowl.
10. All people not bowling or batting must act as a fielder. Actually, all players must have a crack at bowling.
11. Any fielder holding an alcoholic drink and attempting to catch a batter out may claim a catch if the ball has bounced just once and no drinks are spilt.
12. If a bowler scores a wicket, then it’s the bowler’s turn to bat. If, however, the bowler has already batted and some fielders have not had a turn, then the bowler nominates who shall bat next.
13. While the wicketkeeper is an integral part of Backyard Cricket, if you’re short on numbers any fielder or the batter can return the ball to the bowler, but that can slow the game considerably.
14. Sledging: well, we’ve all heard it on the telly at the big games and as unsportsmanlike as it is, in Backyard Cricket, sledging is highly encouraged. But, the degree of sledging shall depend on whether the players are kids, elderly or… yep, drunk as a skunk. If a kid’s mum scolds a sledger for foul language, simple… don’t dare do it again.
15. The game shall be declared when either it’s too dark to see. Whether or not the kids have fallen asleep. The elderly have had to take a break. The ball has been slogged into the river or lost in the bush. The drunks have run out of grog in the esky, or, if there is a consensus by more than half the participants to call it quits regardless of who is winning.
So, there ya’ have it. Bush Cricket rules are clear as mud.
Next time you decide to head out camping, be sure to either take a cricket kit or have enough bush mechanic skills to craft a bat and ball to make do for at least an hour’s worth of fun.
Granted, this may be useless information, but did you know a standard cricket pitch is 22 yards long, or 66 feet, 20.1148 metres, one chain, 100 links (of the chain) and one (standard back in the day) width of a roadway? How do I know this? I spent almost 20 years working as a surveyor and have had the pleasure of pulling old 100-metre bands through the bush and across roads. But those high-tech Total Station EDMs (Electronic Distance Measuring) gizmos make life so much easier!