LBW explained
Fully understand the lbw law with our illustrated guide

The aim of cricket
Two teams, both with 11 players, take it in turns to bat and bowl.

How runs are scored
One run is scored each time the batsmen cross and reach the set of stumps.

Test or one-day?
International cricket is played in two different forms - Test matches and one-day games.

Guide to umpires' signals
What cricket umpires mean by their gestures

Understanding byes and leg byes
Confused by byes and leg byes? We explain all.

The field of play
The size of the field on which the game is played varies from ground to ground.

Field settings
Would you know where to put your fielders?

What is a night-watchman?
Why do teams use them late in a day?

Cricket's top 10
Do you know all the ways a batsman can get out?

Glossary of terms
Check out BBC Sport's glossary of popular cricket terms.

Common questions answered
We answer questions posed by new fans excited by the Ashes.

Common questions part II
We answer questions posed by new fans excited by the Ashes.

Common questions part III
Find out the answers to all your cricketing questions

Common questions part IV
How well do you know the laws of the game?

Caught
A batter is out caught when a fielder catches the ball directly off the bat, before it has hit the ground.

Bowled
When and how is a batsman bowled out.

Leg before wicket
Use our simple lbw guide to understand cricket's most confusing law.

Run-out
Run-out decisions are difficult for umpires as they happen so fast

Stumped
If a batter strays from his crease, the keeper can stump him.

Handled the ball
If a batter handles the ball to protect his stumps he can be given out.

Timed out
When a wicket falls, the next batter must be at the crease to face the next ball within three minutes of the wicket falling.

Double hit
If a batsman hits the ball twice he can be out.

Hit wicket
A dismissal of a batsman who steps onto his stumps or knocks them with his bat.

Obstructing the field
The umpire can give a batsman out if he feels the batter has got in the way of a fielder who is about to take a catch or attempt a run-out.

A guide to fielding positions
Everything you need to know about the fielding positions in cricket.

Wicketkeeper
Find out about the job of a wicketkeeper.

Slips
Find out why the job of a slip fielder is an important one.

Gully
All you need to know about fielding at gully.

Point
Find out about the job of fielding at point.

Cover
Find out about the job of fielding at cover.

Third man
Find out about fielding in the position of third man.

Fine leg
Find out about the job of fielding at fine leg.

Mid-wicket
Find out about the job of fielding at mid-wicket.

Mid-off
Find out about the job of fielding at mid-off.

Square leg
Find out about the job of fielding at square leg.

The role of cricket umpires
A basic guide on the job of the men in the middle

How are substitutes used?
The laws on runners, retirements and substitute fielders.

Fair and unfair play
Make sure you stay in the umpire's good books with our guide to cricket etiquette.

What is the protected area?
What is the area of the pitch that bowlers must avoid?

Red or white ball?
Is there a difference between the one-day ball and the Test ball?

Setting a one-day field
How to keep the runs down and pick up wickets in one-day games

Setting an attacking field
Fielders in catching positions are needed when you are looking to take wickets.

Setting a leg-side field
Bowling to a leg-side field is usually seen as a defensive move.

Setting an off-side field
If a bowler can bowl a tight line and length just outside off stump, then it's possible to set a field to reflect this.

Setting a defensive field
A defensive field is used if a team is conceding too many runs.

Is tampering law right?
Should rules and penalties for altering the ball be changed?

Play our umpire game
Make the decisions in our LBW game

Changing technology
How DVDs are helping umpires improve their decision-making skills

When is a 'wide ball' called?
Confused by wide balls? We explain all.

Understanding the no-ball law
There are many different ways an umpire can call a no-ball

Cricket equipment lowdown
All you need to know about bats, balls and protective gear in cricket.

Shoes
All you need to know about what to wear on your feet in cricket.

Batting pads
All a batsman needs to know about protecting their legs in cricket.

Thigh pad
All a batsman needs to know about protecting their front thigh in cricket.

Box
Find out about protecting the most important parts of your body in cricket.

Bats
All you need to know about choosing your bat.

Batting gloves
Find out about protection of the hands when batting in cricket.

Helmet
All you need to know about protecting your head in cricket.

Clothing
All you need to know about what to wear for cricket.

Wicketkeeper gloves
All you need to know on how a wicketkeeper protects his hands.

Wicketkeeper pads
Find out about how wicketkeepers protect the rest of their body.

The stumps
All you need to now about the stumps and the bails.

The ball
All you need to know about the cricket ball.

Caring for your kit
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