Understanding the intricacies and the language of the sport of cricket can be challenging, especially for new viewers. That’s why we’re going to take a deep dive into the question of “what is an over in cricket?” It is one of the most essential aspects of cricket gameplay and how cricket is broken down into short bursts of bowling and batting.
So, let’s get straight to a basic answer. What is an over in cricket?
An over is a set of six deliveries bowled. If all of these are legal deliveries, at the end of the six, the umpire will call “over” and the bowler switches. They can’t bowl more than one over in a row.
Once the six deliveries are complete, the bowler switches to the other end of the pitch, and another bowler takes over. This process continues until the inning is over.
If there are illegal deliveries, these need to be bowled again, meaning that the bowler may have to bowl more than six deliveries in their over.
The End of an Over and Changing Ends
The end of an over is marked by the umpire signalling the completion of the sixth delivery. At this point, the bowler must switch to the opposite end of the pitch, and the fielding team can reposition their players. This is known as changing ends, and it happens after every over.
Limited or Unlimited Overs
In the one-day formats of the game, teams normally play either 50 overs each (bowling and fielding) or 20 overs each. Limiting the number of overs changes the strategy for teams but it also means that the game can’t just go on endlessly. In Test Cricket, the overs are not limited but it is still important to understand overs as the game is still played in these divisions of six balls. Test cricket is limited by time (five days) rather than overs.
Describing Overs By Bowlers
An over can take on a new meaning when we consider what has happened in that over. For instance, different terms are used to describe the set of six balls. You may hear a commentator talking about a “maiden over” but what does that actually mean?
Maiden Over
A maiden over is an over where the bowler does not give up any runs to the batsman. This can be a significant achievement for a bowler, as it puts the batting team under increased pressure to score runs in the following over.
Wicket Maiden Over
A wicket maiden over is a maiden over where the bowler also manages to get a wicket. This is an impressive feat, as it means the bowler has prevented the batsman from scoring and also taken an important wicket for their team.
Double Wicket Maiden Over
A double wicket maiden over is one where the bowler takes two wickets without giving up any runs. This is an extraordinary achievement in cricket and can be a game-changer for the fielding team.
The Importance of Overs in Cricket Strategy
Why do we have overs and what is the point of breaking cricket down in this way? Cricket’s strategy includes the overs that are a factor of play, and there are certain restrictions that may apply based on overs. For instance, in some forms of cricket, the number of bouncers per over will be limited.
Managing Bowlers and Overs
Managing bowlers and overs is a critical aspect of cricket strategy. A team’s captain must decide which bowlers to use for each over and how to position their fielders. This can be a game of cat and mouse, with the batting team trying to guess the captain’s strategy and adjust their gameplay accordingly. Bowlers may only be allowed to bowl a certain number of overs. In T20 cricket, bowlers are only allowed to bowl four overs each, which creates a challenge when it comes to naming enough bowlers. At least five players have to bowl to get through the overs
Powerplay Overs in Limited-Overs Cricket
In limited-overs cricket, there are designated powerplay overs where fielding restrictions are in place, and only a certain number of fielders can be placed in certain zones. This can be a strategic boost for the batting team, as they have more opportunities to score runs against a weakened fielding side, and it is designed to make things a little bit more interesting and create more high-scoring cricket matches.
Death Overs in Limited-Overs Cricket
Death overs are the final few overs of a limited-overs cricket match, where the batting team is under pressure to score as many runs as possible. The fielding team often uses their best bowlers during this period and positions their fielders in a way that makes it difficult for the batting team to hit boundaries. The outcome of a match can often be determined by how well a team performs during the death overs.
If the scores are level in one-day formats, the rules may allow for a super over. In this super over, the teams effectively play a mini, one-over game to determine the winners.
Conclusion
What is an over in cricket? Well, it is a set of six deliveries but it is also a huge part of the strategy and tactics employed. It can also have its own set of rules and restrictions such as a Powerplay over.
Overs have always been an important part of cricket and it is crucial to understand them if you are going to enjoy watching, and if you are looking to get involved and play the game yourself.
