Cricket
The format explainer beginners and quiz sites both need. This page has 50 important questions and answers.
Test cricket can last up to five days with two innings a side and a red (or pink) ball. ODIs are 50 overs a side in whites or coloured clothing. T20s are 20 overs a side — the IPL format. Same laws of cricket, different playing conditions.
You can love one format and still not “get” another. That is normal.
50 important questions. Quick 10 is a random set; Full set plays every question.
Original explainers for English readers — not copied match reports or official papers. Tap a question to see the answer.
Answer: five days
Draws are possible.
Answer: 50 overs
Each bowler is usually limited to 10 overs.
Answer: 20 overs
Bowlers are usually capped at 4 overs.
Answer: a red ball (pink at night)
White balls are for limited overs.
Answer: Tests (and some first-class games)
A captain closes an innings.
Answer: T20 franchise cricket
National ODIs are a different product.
Answer: Test tactic after a huge first-innings lead
The trailing side bats again immediately.
Answer: wickets, runs, and the Laws of Cricket as a base
Playing conditions add the extras.
Answer: five days
Draws are possible.
Answer: a Test tactic after a huge first-innings lead
The trailing side bats again at once.
Answer: the Test default
Limited overs are one innings each.
Answer: normal in T20 and modern ODIs
Tests stay in whites by tradition.
Answer: Tests
Time can run out.
Answer: limited-overs cricket
Tests do not use that package.
Answer: T20 (and some ODI) tie tool
Playing conditions say when.
Answer: limited-overs games
Tests have other weather outcomes.
Answer: taken after a listed number of overs
Shine and reverse swing follow.
Answer: a T20 playing-condition limit
ODIs usually allow ten.
Answer: ODIs and T20s
The ball colour is the clue.
Answer: Tests, unless one innings or forfeit rules apply
That is why draws exist.
Answer: do not run all five Test days
Captains still set slips.
Answer: 50-over internationals
Names get mixed every cycle.
Answer: Test cricket when it is a scheduled Test
Lights and a different ball.
Answer: all three formats under conditions
Heat policies add extras.
Answer: dismissals in every format
The Laws travel.
Answer: limited-overs table tie-break
Tests use wins and time.
Answer: a five-day Test event
Length is the difference.
Answer: multi-day cricket such as Tests and some domestic games
T20 leagues are not first-class.
Answer: ODI or T20, not a standard Test
Two innings is the Test shape.
Answer: Tests, ODIs, and T20s when the event uses them
Allocations differ.
Answer: often two new white balls from each end in ODIs; T20 uses its own pattern
Check the conditions.
Answer: a second innings of up to 20 overs
The target is one more, unless DLS.
Answer: Tests
Limited overs use innings breaks.
Answer: T20
Twenty overs a side.
Answer: Test cricket
Up to five days.
Answer: change the Laws of scoring
A six is still six.
Answer: Test tactic
Late in the day, a tailender can pad up.
Answer: Test championships
The WTC is countries.
Answer: decided by a five-day draw as the plan
Weather tools are DLS and reserve days.
Answer: format extras on top of the Laws
That is why powerplays exist in white ball.
Answer: Tests more than in a single T20 innings
Two innings make the joke possible.
Answer: late-over T20 or ODI skill
Yorkers and slower balls.
Answer: still be watching the same sport
Conditions change the flavour.
Answer: Test cricket
Time is part of the contest.
Answer: after 80 overs in a Test innings
Two new balls in ODIs are a different law.
Answer: the last few of 20, when strike rates explode
Yorkers live here.
Answer: create powerplays Tests do not copy
Limited-overs DNA.
Answer: Tests (time runs out)
Limited-overs games have winners or no-results.
Answer: Tests
Captains set a chase.
Answer: T20 (and some ODI) tie tool, not a Test law
Tests can tie; they do not Super Over.
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