School Cricket: The Captain Sets the Field

The fielding captain designs two field settings: an attacking one, with players close to the batter to take catches, and a defensive one that guards the boundary. Both are tested in a game and the scorekeeper compares runs conceded and wickets taken.

How to play

1. Explain the field zones with cones: off side and leg side, an inner circle at 12 m and the boundary at 25 m; a shot that rolls to the boundary scores four and one that clears it in the air scores six (3 min).
2. Each captain draws an attacking and a defensive field setting on a card and explains it to the team (2 min).
3. Game: the fielding team plays two overs with the attacking setting and two with the defensive one, then the teams switch; the scorekeeper logs runs and wickets for each block (16 min).
4. Each team compares the data for its two settings and decides which it would use at the start and at the end of an innings (4 min).

Rules

• No fielder stands closer than 8 m to the batter, even in the attacking setting.
• Carry the bat while running and never throw it.
• Use a foam ball and a straight-arm or underhand delivery.
• The captain sets the field only between overs, taking no more than 30 seconds.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: captains from a fixed spot, directing the team by voice and card.
• Autism: gets their position drawn on the card and a reference teammate next to them.
• Overweight or low fitness: fields in the inner circle, with shorter runs.

Learning goals

• Design field settings with a tactical purpose.
• Communicate a game plan to the team as captain.
• Evaluate tactical decisions by comparing data.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cricket bats: 2
• foam balls: 6
• poles: 6
• cones: 24
• pinnies: 14
• cards: 4
• pencils: 4

Teacher tip

Leave the zone cones out for the whole game: they help the captain a lot. School cricket without protective gear requires a soft ball and the 8 m minimum distance.

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