Batting Order (cricket)
In cricket, the batting order is the sequence in which batsmen play through their team's innings, there always being two batsmen taking part at any one time. All eleven players in a team are required to bat if the innings is completed (i.e., if the innings does not close early due to a declaration or other factor).
The batting order is colloquially subdivided into:
- opening batsmen or openers (the two batsmen who start, or open, the innings)
- upper or top order (batsmen at positions three and four in the order)
- middle order (batsmen five to seven)
- lower order or tail (batsmen eight to eleven)
The order in which the eleven players will bat is usually established before the start of a cricket match, but may be altered during play. The decision is based on factors such as each player's specialities; the position each batsman is most comfortable with; each player's skills and attributes as a batsman; possible combinations with other batsmen; and the match situation whereby, for example, the team may require a more defensive or attacking player at that point in the innings.
Read more about Batting Order (cricket): Changing The Batting Order, Opening Batsmen, Top Order, Middle Order, Lower Order or Tail, Highest Test Match Scores For Each Batting Position
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