CRICKO RULES

Righto legends, welcome to Cricko – cricket, but with a bit more gas, a bit more banter, and a lot less fine leg duties.

Most of the usual cricket rules still apply. If you’ve ever picked up a bat or watched a Boxing Day session, you’ll be sweet. But here’s where we shake things up a bit:

🔥 THE GAME BASICS

  • Everyone bowls, everyone bats. No hiding.

  • 8-a-side – less waiting, more playing.

  • Batting in pairs – each pair gets 8 overs, facing one over from each bowler.

  • 4-ball overs – because life’s too short for 6

💥 RUNS, WICKETS & CHAOS

  • Wicket = -5 runs

  • Bowled = -8 runs (yeah… middle stump cartwheeling hurts)

  • You don’t get out, you just swap ends and keep going. No long walks back to the sheds. (No change of ends for a run out)

  • Wides & No Balls = +3 runs

  • If you bowl one in the last over, you’re bowling it again too. No cheap escapes.

⚡ POWERPLAYS

  • Each team gets 1 Powerplay over per innings

  • During that over:

    • Runs are doubled

    • Wicket penalties are doubled (yep, -10 or -16… choose your adventure)

  • Each bowler can only get Powerplayed once per match, so plan wisely.

👀 UMPIRES & DECISIONS

  • Respect the Cricko umps – they’re out there doing their best without tech, replays, or a third ump sipping tea upstairs.

  • Abuse or aggression towards an umpire could result in: -10 runs, red card or suspension (jog on mate 👋)

🤔 LBWs (KEEP IT REAL)

  • No ball tracking here.

  • You can appeal, sure – but it’ll probably need to beplum. If it’s clipping leg from around the wicket … probably not.

🌅 GAME TIME

  • We’re racing the sunlight.

  • First ball at 6pm sharp with whoever’s there.

  • One team rep must be at the ground 10 minutes early for the bat flip and captain’s duties.

  • Late? That’s on you.

🔄 SUBS

  • Subs are free, but they must register.

  • If you try sneaking in a gun way above your grade… umps will shut that down. Don’t be that team.

😏 BANTER & SLEDGING

  • By being part of this space, you agree to treat others with dignity and kindness at all times.

  • We love a bit of chirp – that’s cricket but keep it fun.

  • Our community is built on respect - we welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience respect, inclusivity, and mutual support. There is no place here for racism, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, or any form of hate or harassment.

  • Cross the line: -10 runs, red card or suspension (jog on mate 👋)

  • Cricko officials reserve the right to discretion as they see fit over any penalites.

📊 GRADING & REGISTRATION

We’re here for everyone – from backyard heroes to proper club cricketers.

  • You’ll start with a grade based on experience & stats

  • Then it updates based on how you go (yep, performances matter)

Rough guide:

  • D Grade (1–5): Newbies / beginners

  • C Grade (1–5): Played a bit – school, concrete wickets, casual comps

  • B Grade (1–5): Proper players who know their way around a scorebook

  • A Grade (1-5) Not sure how many of those we’ll have to begin with, we’ll keep this grade handy for those of you who are dominating the competition!

Team rules:

  • Your team can mix players from different grades, but usually no more than 1 grade apart.

🛡️ SAFETY

  • You’re responsible for your own safety: but we’re not going to let you bat if you don’t have:

    • Groin protection (seriously… just wear one)

    • Gloves

    • Welcome to bring along anything else that you feel will keep you in one piece

Fielding:

  • Everyone (except the keeper) must be at least half a pitch away from the batter.

Bowling:

  • New to bowling? All good – we’ll be patient.

  • Bowling quick?

    • Above-waist no balls = danger zone

    • 2 strikes and you’re done

    • Remaining overs get scored as 3 runs per ball

🎯 FINAL WORD

Cricko’s about having a hit, a laugh, and a bit of friendly competition without taking yourself too seriously.


Have fun, play hard.
And if you middle one… just stand there and admire it. You’ve earned it.

The Cricko team are still learning and refinning our format - so keep us posted with any of your thoughts or feedback
crickoaustralia@gmail.com