How to Play Backyard Cricket

Whether you’re at the beach, in the backyard, or at the bach, our Backyard Cricket Set is built for laughter, friendly rivalry, and unforgettable memories. Swing, run, catch, and celebrate every boundary. Casual or competitive, it’s perfect for family, friends, and summer adventures.

Get your own Backyard Cricket Set and start playing today.

Getting Set Up

  • Pick a pitch: grass, sand, or driveway. Flat and open is ideal.

  • On sand, improvise boundaries with jandals, chilly bins, or driftwood.

  • Pop the wickets in the ground.

  • Decide who bats first using rock-paper-scissors, shortest, eldest, or loudest. Everyone else fields.

How to Play

  1. Batter faces the bowler and sets the distance (we recommend about 10 metres).

  2. Bowler throws the ball. Underarm is classic, overarm if you’re feeling pro.

  3. Batter hits the ball and runs, even a gentle tap counts.

  4. Fielders try to get the batter out by:

    • Catching the ball (one-hand, one-bounce is fair)

    • Hitting the wickets

    • Run-outs

  5. When out, swap in the next batter. New batters get first-ball immunity.

  6. Overs are optional. Usually play “as many as it takes” or until a fielder wants a turn.

Pro Tips

  • Celebrate every catch, boundary, and heroic dive

  • Play barefoot — it’s basically a rule

  • Keep score if you want, or just enjoy the fun and banter

  • Rotate fielding positions to keep everyone involved

  • Encourage beginners to try first-ball immunity to build confidence

Fun Variations

  • Mini Cricket: Play shorter innings to fit small backyards or time limits

  • Beach Boundaries: Use driftwood, buckets, or jandals as makeshift boundaries

  • Team Challenges: Score bonus points for catches, diving saves, or hitting a specific target

  • Family Tournaments: Create a ladder and crown a backyard cricket champion at the end of the summer

Disputes

Settle with rock-paper-scissors or just laugh it off and keep playing.

Winning

Decide on a target score or innings, and whoever has the most runs at the end is crowned Backyard Cricket Champions.

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Tag us in your best shots, wild throws, or funny fails. 
We love seeing your Backyard Games moments. 
@backyardgamesnz