Introduction to T20 Cricket

In this lesson you will learn how the format began. Twenty20 was launched in English county cricket in 2003, designed to give a complete match in around three hours, so that people could watch after work or school. It quickly drew big crowds. International T20 matches followed, with the first women's T20 International in 2004 and the first men's in 2005, and the first men's T20 World Cup in 2007. Franchise leagues around the world soon followed. Today T20 is the most widely played format at community level, including in the Winn Family T-20 League.

• Launched in English county cricket in 2003
• Designed to finish in about three hours
• First men's T20 World Cup in 2007
• Hugely popular in community cricket

In this lesson you will learn the essential structure of a T20 match. Each side bats once for a maximum of twenty overs. Each bowler may bowl no more than four overs, so a team needs at least five bowlers to complete its twenty overs. The innings ends when twenty overs have been bowled, ten wickets have fallen, or the chasing side passes its target. There are no declarations. Matches are often played with a white ball and coloured clothing, although competitions set their own requirements. Check the WFA competition regulations for the details used in league matches.

• One innings of up to 20 overs per side
• Maximum four overs per bowler
• At least five bowlers needed
• No declarations

In this lesson you will learn about the powerplay. In standard T20 playing conditions, the first six overs of each innings are the powerplay, during which no more than two fielders may be outside the thirty-yard circle. This encourages attacking batting, because there are fewer fielders guarding the boundary. After the powerplay, up to five fielders may be outside the circle. If too many fielders are outside the circle when the ball is bowled, the umpire calls a no-ball. Shortened matches usually have a shorter powerplay, so check the WFA competition regulations.

• Powerplay: first six overs of each innings
• Maximum two fielders outside the circle
• After the powerplay: maximum five outside
• Too many outside the circle is a no-ball

In this lesson you will learn about one of the most exciting features of T20. In standard T20 playing conditions, the delivery after a no-ball, including a front-foot no-ball, is a free hit. From a free hit the striker cannot be dismissed bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket, though they can still be run out. If the free-hit ball is itself a wide or a no-ball, the next ball is still a free hit. The fielding side may not change fielders for the free hit unless the striker has changed. Batters usually try to hit a free hit hard.

• Delivery after a no-ball is a free hit
• Striker cannot be bowled, caught or LBW
• Run outs are still possible
• A wide or no-ball carries the free hit over

In this lesson you will explore how T20 matches are won. In the powerplay, batters look to take advantage of the fielding restrictions, while bowlers aim to take early wickets. In the middle overs, spinners and change bowlers try to slow the scoring, and batters rotate the strike and build partnerships. In the death overs, batters look to hit boundaries, while bowlers use yorkers, slower balls and changes of pace. Fielding is vital throughout, because every run saved matters. Wickets in hand give batters the confidence to attack at the end.

• Powerplay: attack versus early wickets
• Middle overs: control and partnerships
• Death overs: boundaries versus yorkers and slower balls
• Excellent fielding saves vital runs

In this lesson you will look at the skills that suit the short format. Batters value a high strike rate, the ability to find gaps, and running hard between the wickets, as well as power hitting. Bowlers value a low economy rate, accuracy under pressure, and variations such as slower balls and well-directed yorkers. Every ball matters, so dot balls are celebrated by bowlers and fielders alike. Captains must plan which bowlers bowl in each phase, given the four-over limit, and keep their best options for the closing overs. Practising these skills will help you contribute in every phase.

• Batters value strike rate and running
• Bowlers value economy and variations
• Dot balls build pressure
• Captains plan bowlers for each phase

In this lesson you will learn how unusual results are handled. If both sides finish level, the match is a tie. Some competitions break ties with a Super Over, a one-over-per-side eliminator, especially in knockout matches. Others simply award a tie. When rain shortens a match, professional cricket often uses the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to set a revised target, and a minimum number of overs is usually needed for a result. Community leagues may use simpler methods. Always check the WFA competition regulations for how ties, shortened and abandoned matches are decided.

• Level scores produce a tie
• Some competitions use a Super Over
• Professional cricket uses DLS for rain
• Check WFA regulations for league rules