How Cricket Scoring Works: Runs, Extras & Dot Balls

Cricket scoring looks complicated but it's straightforward once you understand the basics. Let's break it down without the jargon.

How Runs Are Scored

Running between wickets: Hit the ball and run to the other end. Each completed run = 1 run. You can run 1, 2, or 3 (rarely 4 by running).

Boundary (4): Hit the ball to the rope along the ground. Four runs, no running needed.

Six: Hit the ball over the rope without bouncing. Six runs. The crowd catches it and goes home happy.

Dot ball: No runs scored off that delivery. Zero. The bowler wins that ball.

Extras

Runs that aren't credited to the batsman:

Wide: Ball too far from the batsman. 1 run penalty + ball doesn't count.

No-ball: Bowler oversteps or bowls illegally. 1 run penalty + free hit in limited overs.

Bye: Ball passes everyone and batsmen run. Scored as extras.

Leg bye: Ball hits the batsman's body (not bat) and they run.

Key Stats

Strike rate: (Runs ÷ Balls faced) × 100. A strike rate of 150 means the batsman scores 150 runs per 100 balls. Higher is more aggressive.

Economy rate: Runs conceded per over by a bowler. Economy of 6.0 means the bowler gives away 6 runs per over. Lower is better.