Kilikiti: Samoan Team Cricket
A form of cricket played in Samoa and other Pacific islands, where the whole village joins in and teams celebrate every success with singing and dancing. Bowlers deliver from both ends without the fielders switching places. Students work on batting, running between wickets, and catching.
How to play
- Set up two fields with two 'wickets' (three stacked cones) 12 yards apart and two teams of 6-7 each: one bats, one fields (3 min).
- One batter with a soft bat stands at each wicket; the fielders place a bowler at each end and spread out.
- Bowl underhand with one bounce at the wicket; the next ball comes from the other end with no one changing places, just like kilikiti.
- After a hit, the batters swap wickets: each swap is one run. A batter is out if the wicket is knocked down, the hit is caught on the fly, or the ball touches their wicket before they arrive.
- Each batter faces 6 balls at most. After every out, the fielders celebrate with a quick dance and the cheer 'Mālō!' ('well done!').
- When everyone has batted, switch roles; two innings per team (20 min).
Rules
- Drop the bat on the ground before running; never throw it.
- Fielders stay at least 5 yards from the batter.
- Always bowl underhand with a bounce.
- Players waiting stay behind the cone line.
Variations
Easier
Hit the ball off a cone, with wickets at 9 yards.
Standard
Bounce bowling from both ends and 6 balls per batter.
Harder
No-bounce bowling and wickets at 14 yards.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student hits off a cone and a teammate runs for them.
- Visual impairment: a large bright ball or bell ball, hit from a cone.
- Shyness: a volunteer leads each dance; no one has to perform alone.
Learning goals
- Hit a moving ball with a bat, aiming it into open space.
- Decide when to run between wickets without getting out.
- Learn about the Samoan form of cricket and its festive way of celebrating.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft bats: 4
- soft balls: 4
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
In Samoa the bat has three sides and matches can last for days. To avoid mix-ups, the hitter calls 'yes' or 'no' before anyone runs.
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