SPORTS EXPLAINER

Cricket: overs, innings and formats.

Understand the structure behind cricket before comparing match formats.

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The innings

A batting side aims to score runs while the fielding side seeks dismissals and limits scoring. An over normally contains six legal deliveries; extras can extend the number of balls bowled.

Formats change the pace

Short limited-overs matches encourage different decisions from longer formats. Consider the innings stage, remaining overs and wickets when interpreting a match report.

Read with context

A score without its format and match situation can mislead. No live scores, odds or fixture feed is connected here. Follow official competition sources for current information.

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