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French cricket is an informal game derived from the sport of cricket. There is only one batsman, and their objective is to not be dismissed by the other participants – who are fielders, or a bowler if they have possession of the ball – for as long as possible. The objective of the other participants is to dismiss the batsman. There are only two methods of dismissal, being caught or being "leg before wicket", but as there are no stumps, this method of dismissal is effected by a bowled ball hitting the batsman's legs typically below the knees. Once the batsman is dismissed, the other participant who took the catch or effected the "lbw" typically replaces them as batsman, and the game-play begins again. There are many varieties of additional rules. The batsman may be obliged to stay with their legs in the same place, facing the same way for the whole of their innings; they may remain in the same place but be permitted to change their stance if they effect a shot by hitting the ball; or, they may be able to freely move around after playing a shot. The batsman may also score runs in some variations of the game.
Contents
Basic rules
The batsman stands stationary with the bat protecting their legs, their legs being the "stumps" of formal cricket. Whichever other player has the ball throws it at the batsman attempting to dismiss them by hitting their legs. If the batsman hits the ball, the other participants may also dismiss the batman by a catch.
Playing French cricket
French cricket is most commonly played by children, or mixed groups of children and adults, although adults sometimes play it as a diversion during outdoor parties or on picnics. If the game is played more seriously, players take turns to bat and the player who batted for the most balls or the longest time is considered the winner.
Equipment
The ball is typically a tennis ball, bowled underarm at the legs of another player holding a cricket bat, a tennis racquet, or some other object that can be used as like a cricket bat.
Batting
The player holding the bat, the batsman, is required to block and defend his "wicket", with the batsman's legs taking the place of the stumps. The batsman is not allowed to move their legs, and in some variants, the batsman can only hit the ball in a direct upward or scooping-like motion.
Fielding
Any number of fielders can stand around the batsman, and any fielder can bowl at the batsman from any angle.
Batting
Fielding
Origin of the name
Suggested possibilities include juxtaposition with the English origin of regular cricket. It seems likely that as the game is a lesser version on regular cricket that the name is intended to mock both the game and the French — just as a "French cut" in the sport of cricket is a poorly executed cut shot which almost gets a batsman out. The name may also have arisen from the similarity of the batting motion to the one used in croquet which while not a French game is sometimes assumed to be French because of its name.