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.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to the game of cricket represented currently by known formats such as Test Cricket, One Day Internationals and Twenty-20. In particular the invention seeks to present a new inventive format of the game of cricket that offers a more exciting and yet short version of the game, with enhanced vendible value in the form of sale of tickets and telecast subscriptions.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The presently known formats of cricket offer different time periods over which the game is played and help highlight different aspects of playing the game. For example, test cricket is played over five days and showcases both the capability of a batting team to play over extended periods of time as well as that of a bowling team to have the ability to get all the wickets of the opposition out in a reasonable time frame. However, due to the long time period of the Test cricket game making it difficult for viewers to follow the game over its full course, as well as the open nature of game resulting in many situations where there is no final result, newer and shorter forms of the game such as One Day Internationals and Twenty-20 have emerged. While these formats of One Day Internationals & Twenty-20 are more exciting and result oriented, the nature of the rules for these formats have also favored the game tilting heavily towards batting skills. The ability of bowlers to win games by taking wickets and the ‘balance of power’ between the batting and bowling skills in winning matches has been compromised. This is especially true of the fast growing and increasingly popular Twenty-20 form of the game. Additionally, the fortunes of the game swinging over the two innings played in Tests are also not captured in formats such as One Day Internationals and Twenty-20 which involve only one innings of play per team. Providing for a new format of cricket that is quick and result oriented, but yet retaining the ‘balance of power’ and uncertainty of the game is challenging and desirable as this will improve spectator value and the vending of the game thereof.

The proposed invention seeks to present a unique new format of cricket that is quick and result oriented, but yet retaining the ‘balance of power’ and uncertainty of the game. A novel and more complete cricket experience is thus expected to be offered to the players and spectators within a short time. This will offer commercial value in terms of the enhanced spectator interest in the new form of the sport that is hitherto unknown and hence enhance the vending of the game through sale of tickets, telecast subscriptions and video recordings for spectators to partake of the enjoyment of the game. In particular, the number of specific points in which decisions that could affect the course of the match and outcome of results will be increased and the higher viewer-ship interest and capability to add viewer interactive telecast content at these points will substantially enhance the vending of the game through television, radio and internet.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome disadvantages in the prior art and provide a useful new alternative format of cricket which enables a shorter, exciting version of the game to be played which yet provides a more balanced opportunity for both batsmen & bowlers to contribute to the outcome of the game. A further object of the invention is to also allow for a more tactically complex version of the game which is yet spectator friendly, to be played in a short time—for example within a day. These will enhance the vending of the game by increasing the spectator interest in general and providing more periods of play when highpoints such as a declaration of the first innings that could decide on the outcome of the game occur and at which points viewer interactive content and promotional content can be planned, thereby enhancing the vendibility of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a game of cricket between two teams, wherein the game will comprise of each team playing two innings in a match with a specified cumulative maximum of from about thirty overs per team, to about sixty overs per team across both innings, as agreed for the game.

Preferably 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.

Preferably the match will conclude in one day but can be extended to be completed over one to three days if specifically required. More preferably the match will conclude in one day.

Preferably each team will consist of equal number of from about six players to about twelve players as specified for the match.

Preferably each player can bat once and at most only once in each innings for his team.

Preferably each team can lose an agreed specified maximum of from about six wickets to about twelve wickets across both innings.

Preferably each team can utilize an agreed specified maximum of from about three wickets to about six wickets in any one innings.

Preferably each team can opt to play an agreed specified minimum of from about ten overs to about twenty overs as its first innings, subject to the availability of wickets.

Preferably each team can opt to play an agreed specified maximum of from about twenty overs to about thirty overs as the first innings, subject to the availability of wickets and the further condition that the agreed maximum number of overs for the first innings being at least ten overs less than the total maximum number of overs specified across both innings for each team in the match.

Preferably each team can opt to play any number of overs within the agreed minimum and maximum number of overs for the first innings, as its own first innings subject to the availability of wickets and the balance of the agreed maximum overs for the match as its second innings.

Preferably a given bowler can bowl an agreed maximum number of overs in the course of the match.

Preferably the team scoring the higher cumulative maximum runs across both its innings will be the winner of the match.

Preferably, the game will be vended through sale of tickets to spectators at the venue, subscription fee for telecast and through sale of digital recordings of the game.

Preferably viewer interactive content such as audience feedback and call in programs will be offered at additional highpoints of the game generated by the new format such as the declaration of first innings and additional promotional content broadcast in breaks taken at these points.

Preferably the game wilt be vended through other forms of enjoying the game such as board games and memorabilia that are played on similar guidelines

Preferably all other rules of the game will be as per the normal ones used in other common forms of cricket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detail of the invention, with respect to its preferred embodiment is described herein below.

Unlike other current forms of cricket, the invention will consists of two innings being played by each team in a single match with a maximum number of fifty overs being played in the game by each team across both their innings. The game will ideally be concluded within a single day to maintain viewer interest. The teams will toss coin to decide who will bat first, with the team winning the toss being allowed to start their first innings by either batting or bowling. Each team will in turn then play their first innings followed by the second innings.

The invention will consist of two teams of eleven players per team, playing against each other in a given match. Individual matches may form part of a series whether between two teams or multiple teams and leading onto a tournament or a championship in any manner similar to such practices as already seen.

Each team can lose a maximum 10 wickets across both innings and a further maximum of 6 wickets in any one innings. Upon either losing six wickets in an inning or 10 wickets cumulatively in a match while a second inning is in progress, a team shall stop batting in that inning or the match as the case may be. The follow-on rule will not be applicable in such a game.

In the first innings, each batting team can play between a minimum of 20 overs to a maximum of 30 avers subject to the availability of wickets and can declare their first inning dosed at any point within this framework of 20 to 30 overs upon the completion of a full over that may be in progress at this time. The second innings will be restricted to a maximum of fifty less the number of overs consumed in the first innings. In the event of a team losing the stipulated maximum six wickets in less than 20 overs in the first innings of a match, the team doing so will be restricted to a maximum of 30 overs in its second innings.

At the start of each innings of the match, the entire eleven members of the team becomes eligible to bat in that innings, irrespective of whether a given member has already played or had his wicket taken in the previous innings in that match, subject to the restriction that a given player can play at most only once in each innings of the match for his team.

Any single bowler shall be entitled to bowl any number of overs in any one match. Optionally, the maximum number of overs per bowler could be restricted to an agreed number per match.

The team that cumulatively scores the higher sum total of number of runs across both its innings will be the winner of the match. In the event of these runs being tied, the team with the lower total number of wickets lost in the full match will be the winner. In the event of a tie on this count also, the team with the highest runs scored in any one innings of the match will be the winner. In the event of tie on this count also, the winner shall be decided by toss of coin.

All other aspects such as the nature of equipment used, the playing arena, the process of umpiring and the rules governing the way runs are scored and wickets taken are in accordance with currently known forms of cricket, though variations are also possible provided the game is played as defined by the invention.

Further modifications of the described new invention could envisage application of additional rules to offer variations. For example, the follow-on rule could apply if the gap between the first innings scores of each team is in excess of 50 runs or more as can be agreed for a particular match or tournament. Teams could also be given additional bonus runs for each wicket taken or type of wicket taken to further balance the contribution between batsmen and bowlers to the results. The number of wickets overall and maximum per innings could also be modified to increase or decrease the same, to balance the power between batsmen and bowlers to influence the results of the game. The number of players per team, the total number of overs and dimensions of the playing area could also be changed.

The game will be vended though the sale of tickets to spectators at the venue, subscription fee for broadcast and sale of digital recordings.

The invention also pertains to video games, board games, kits, memorabilia and the like describing the game according to the invention or allowing a player to play the game as defined herein.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention provides for a new, exciting version of the game which gives an opportunity for both the batsmen and the bowlers to contribute to the outcome, also allows for more tactical complexity and which can yet be completed within a short time period of even a day to sustain viewer interest, can be played, in line with the stated objective of the invention. The unique nature of the invention will allow for more highpoints of interest when the course of play can change and key decisions or events that affect the outcome happen, thereby increasing the frequency and extent of spectator interest in the game. In addition to enhancing overall viewership, these highpoints in the game can be used to plan viewer interactive content such as call in sessions and promotional content be broadcast in such breaks in the game.

The above-described embodiments do not limit the invention and further changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the description and attached claims made with respect to the same

Claims

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)