Backyard Cricket - Tactics

Tactics

Trail Ball- The first ball of the match is known as trail ball. A batsman can neither get out on that ball nor score any run on that ball. The ball is just played to test the batsman.

• Can't get out first ball - This tactic is commonly used if the rule of "you can't get out first ball" is in place. A batsman will take advantage of his inability to get out on the first ball by attempting to hit the ball as far as possible, often over the fence for six. This is done for two reasons.

1. To tally extra runs without the possibility of getting out.
2. To punish the person bowling as it is their duty to retrieve the ball

Another variation on this rule is if the first ball a batter faces is deemed as unreachable (Off the pitch for example) The bowler is then obliged to bowl another ball in which the batsman is unable to be dismissed from. This rule continues until the bowler bowls a ball considered legal

• And Get Me One While You're At It! - Ordinarily, the bowler must place his beer on the ground in order to bowl the ball without spilling his/her beer. In most situations, the beer is placed next to, or in the vicinity of, the wickets at the non-striker's end. This provides a tempting target for both the striking batsman, and fielders alike. Ordinarily, in the course of normal human behaviour, to spill another person's beer would be something frowned upon (or meet with harsher punishment), requiring the offending party to apologise and replace the beer. However, in this (and only this) situation, the deliberate spilling of the beer is met with hilarity and laughter by the other players, and the offending party is absolved from making any such apology. Not only that, it is the owner of the beer's responsibility to replace that beer, and indeed one for the perpetrator, hence who is entitled to shout "and get me one while you're at it".

• Snicket - A tactic employed by batters. Instead of hitting the ball towards the boundary or into open space, the batsman nicks the ball, thus sending it past the wickets. If there is no wicketkeeper, slips, or as in many backyard games, thick bushes, the batter can make several runs, while the bowler or the fielders run to retrieve it. This tactic is often banned by a disgruntled fielding team.
• The Lost Ball Trick - A tactic employed by fielders. When the ball is hit into bushes, the fielder/s locate the ball, but rather than return it to the pitch, the fielder/s pretend to continue to search for the ball, thus coaxing the batter to go for another run. At this time, the fielder quickly returns the ball, and if properly executed causes the batter to be run out.
• The Hide the Ball Trick - A tactic employed by fielders (at least 5 are required for). This tactic is similar to the "Lost Ball Trick". However, this tactic requires more fielders and is notably more spectacular, therefore is only used to dismiss batters who have been in for a long amount of time. When the ball is hit into bushes, the fielder(s) locate the ball, but rather than return it to the pitch, they pretend to continue to search for the ball, thus coaxing the batsman to go for another run. After about 15 seconds of "unsuccessful" searching, several other fielders (including the wicketkeeper or bowler) go over to help, appearing to be annoyed. The initial searcher slips the ball to the bowler/wicketkeeper, who after another 10–15 seconds of "fruitless" searching return disdainfully to their positions near the wicket with the ball hidden in a pocket or behind their back. The player appears to be impatiently awaiting the discovery of the ball, until the batter goes for another run. At this time, the player "knocks of the bails" with the ball, thus ending the batsman's innings.
• Bush Belting - A tactic employed by batsmen. If a thick, spiky, spiderweb infested or otherwise inhospitable bush is located near the pitch, the batter 'slogs' the ball into it, thus slowing the fielders.
• Cheeky run or Bump and Run - In the absence of a wicketkeeper or silly point fielders, the batsman can 'blade' the ball by playing a defensive shot and take a cheeky single. This tactic is countered by the fielding team by disallowing single runs altogether, thus forcing the batsman into positive strokeplay to get runs.
• Wet Ball Trick - The ability by the bowler to inconspicuously soak the ball (usually a tennis ball) in water, and bowl it to the batter without their knowledge. If executed correctly, this causes both the ball to bounce and skid off the surface faster, while also causing water to be sprayed into the batsman's face. Many a great wicket have been taken with this technique.
• Guyanese Wicket - If using a wicketkeeper, the wicketkeeper can attempt to tip the wicket over with his foot or hand, giving the impression of the batsmen hitting the wicket.
• Cheeky Keeper - sometimes, if a batsman is proving difficult to dismiss, the bowler may signal to the keeper to move the wickets slightly to the side. Then, the bowler will bowl toward the new wicket area. The batter may leave the ball, as it is wide, only to see that the ball clean-bowls them. This only works when real stumps hammered into the ground are not used.
• Wet Towel - If the game is being played on concrete a towel can be soaked in water and spread over a difficult length on the pitch. If the ball hits the towel it will skid through faster and stay low which often proves extremely difficult for the batsmen.
• Swing King - Wrapping one side of a tennis ball in electrical tape will cause the ball to swing in the air if bowled correctly. Holding the ball straight up and down with fingers placed along the line of the seam between the taped and natural side will create swing if bowled at a medium fast pace. The ball will swing in the direction the tape is facing. In-swing to hit the stumps or out-swing to find the edge.