Pairs Cricket: Lose Runs, Not Your Turn

A cricket game in the pairs format widely used in British schools: each pair bats for two overs and, if they're out, they lose runs but keep batting. Nobody sits out, and students think about how the game changes without elimination.

How to play

1. Set up two fields, each with two wickets 15 m apart and cones marking the boundary; teams of seven (4 min).
2. Rules: each pair bats two six-ball overs; a run means switching ends; if the wicket is knocked down or the ball is caught on the fly, the pair loses five runs and keeps batting (5 min).
3. First innings: pairs from the batting team go in one after another; everyone else fields and the bowler changes every over (12 min).
4. Second innings with roles switched (12 min).
5. Tally and reflection: what changes when getting out doesn't take you out of the game? (2 min).

Rules

• Waiting batters sit behind the boundary, well away from the wickets.
• The bowler bowls with a straight arm and the ball bounces before it arrives.
• With an odd number, one pair becomes a trio and rotates the batter every over.
• Disputes go to the group's umpire, calmly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with low vision: a large bright ball and a bowler who calls "coming."
• Students with limited mobility: bat while a partner runs for them; field close to the wicket.
• Students lacking confidence: choose their batting partner and fielding spot.

Learning goals

• Play an adapted cricket match.
• Evaluate a format without elimination.
• Respect the umpire's decisions.

Equipment for a class of 25

• plastic cricket bats: 4
• tall cones: 4
• poles: 4
• cones: 16
• tennis balls: 6

Teacher tip

Pick one umpire per field from the deep fielders and rotate every over. Fours and sixes over the boundary are real cricket rules: add them once the group has the basics.

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