Cricket is a sport where the team who scores most runs is declared the winner. A maximum of eleven batters can contribute to the run-scoring within a time period (or overs) that is decided based on the format (Test match, One Day International, T20) in which the match is played.
Batters can score runs in many ways. The runs scored off the batter’s bat (including the gloves) adds to the batter’s score and also the team’s total. Runs given through illegal deliveries or that are not hit through the batter’s bat are counted as extras.
Batters hit shots with the aim of striking the ball to the boundary of the cricket field for the best possible result. Should the ball reach the boundary after bouncing at least once, it counts as four runs. However, if the ball crosses the boundary directly without pitching anywhere in the field, it is counted as six runs.
Apart from boundaries, batters can hit a shot and run between the wickets to add to the total. Every time the batters change ends after hitting a shot, one run is added to the total. A legal change of ends after hitting the shot is one where the batters ensure that a part of their bat or body goes over the popping crease when they reach the other end.
Whether or not the batters have crossed the line of the popping crease is judged by the umpires. The umpire at the bowler’s end makes this decision from the non-striker’s end and the square-leg umpire makes this decision for the striker’s end.
If a batter fails to cross this line, then the umpire calls it a short run and the run is not counted. The umpire makes this signal by bending the arm and touching the nearest shoulder with the finger tips. A run is thus deducted and the players have to swap the strike for the next ball.
Thus, batters need to avoid a short run in order to ensure that their hard ran run does not get deducted.
