Novel method and format of playing cricket

Abstract

The invention presents a novel method of playing cricket in which, two teams play each other in a game with each team playing two innings in one match, with a total specified maximum number of overs from about thirty overs to about sixty overs for each team across both their innings. Further, each team can choose to play any number of overs between a specified number of minimum and maximum overs for its first innings and the balance of the total number of overs as its second innings. These and other variations and preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in the detailed application and the claims thereof The new method will enable a much more tactically complex and well balanced form of the game to be played, yet within a time period of up to a day adding to spectator and player interest and commercial value.

1 . A game of cricket played between two teams wherein the game will comprise of each team playing two innings in the match with a cumulative maximum of from about thirty overs to about sixty overs per team across both innings as specified for the match. 
     
     
         2 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the match will conclude in one to three days as required. 
     
     
         3 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the match will conclude in one day. 
     
     
         4 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each team has an equal number of from about six players to about twelve players as specified for the match. 
     
     
         5 . A game of cricket according to  claim 1  wherein one team will bat first, followed by the other in each of their first innings and thereafter the team that batted first will play its second innings followed again by the other team completing its second innings. 
     
     
         6 . A game of cricket according to  claim 1  wherein each player can lose his wicket at most once in each innings for his team. 
     
     
         7 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each player can lose his wicket at most once in the entire match for his team. 
     
     
         8 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each team can lose a maximum of from about six wickets to about twelve wickets across both innings, as specified for the game. 
     
     
         9 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each team can utilize a maximum of from about three wickets to about six wickets in any one innings, as specified for the game. 
     
     
         10 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each team can opt to play a minimum of from about ten overs to about twenty overs as its first innings subject to the availability of wickets, as specified for the game. 
     
     
         11 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein there will be a specified maximum number of from about twenty overs to about forty overs a team can play in the first innings subject to the availability of wickets, provided the further condition that this maximum number of overs specified for the first innings will be at least ten overs less than the total number of overs for a team in the match, as specified for the game. 
     
     
         12 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein each team can opt to play any number of overs within the specified minimum and maximum limit for the first innings, as its own first innings subject to availability of wickets and the balance of the total overs specified for the match as its second innings. 
     
     
         13 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein in the event of wickets not being available to complete the specified minimum number of overs of play in the first innings, a team shall forfeit any of the unused overs less that agreed minimum limit of overs for first innings, from the total number of overs available for them in the match. 
     
     
         14 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein any single bowler will be entitled to bowl a specified maximum number of overs in the full match but cannot bowl two consecutive overs. 
     
     
         15 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein a team will be entitled at its discretion, to claim a new ball to bowl with at the beginning of each of its innings. 
     
     
         16 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the team that cumulatively scores the higher sum total of number of runs across both its innings will be the winner. 
     
     
         17 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein In the event of the cumulative runs being tied, the team with the lower total number of wickets lost in the full match will be the winner. 
     
     
         18 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein In the event of a tie on the count of both cumulative runs and wickets lost, the team with the highest number of runs scored in any one innings of the match will be the winner. 
     
     
         19 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein In the event of tie on the count of cumulative runs, wickets lost and highest inning score, the winner shall be decided by toss of coin. 
     
     
         20 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the follow on rule could apply if the gap in scores between the teams in the first innings is higher than an agreed norm 
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A game of cricket according to  claim 1  played with cricket ball, cricket bat, stumps, bails and such equipment and in a cricket field of size and layout as commonly used in various current forms of the game. 
     
     
         27 . A game of cricket according to  claim 1  wherein all other rules of the game such as scoring of runs and taking of wicket will be as per commonly used norms in various current forms of the game of cricket. 
     
     
         28 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the number of players per team is eleven, the total number of overs per team in the match is fifty, the minimum number of over for first innings is twenty, the maximum number of overs for the first innings is thirty, the total number of wickets per team in the match is ten, the maximum number of allowable wickets for a team in any one innings is six and the maximum number of overs per bowler in the match is twenty five. 
     
     
         29 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein the game is vended through the sale of tickets to spectators to watch the game live, subscription fee for watching a telecast on television, radio and internet or through the purchase of recordings in electronic media. 
     
     
         30 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  wherein viewer interactive content such as audience feedback and call in programs are built into the broadcast at highpoints of the game such as declaration of innings and promotional content broadcast in such breaks in the game. 
     
     
         31 . A game of cricket as described in  claim 1  also presented in the form of a video game, a board game, kit or memorabilia describing the game according to the invention or allowing a player to play the game as defined in a manner similar to the invention. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled)