In some games, scores are kept through points (table-tennis, badminton) and in others, through 'goals' (hockey, football, etc.). The measure of unit in cricket is the 'run'. The 'runs' scored by a team while batting are of paramount importance. A 'run' is recorded by the scorer whenever it occurs in any of the following ways:

   1. Batsmen running between the wickets
   2. Boundaries
   3. Penalty runs
   4. Lost ball

A run is scored when the batsmen run between wickets and make their ground from one end to the other while the ball is in play. In the early days, scores were kept by carving notches on cylindrical piece of wood. But today, there are score-books wherein all the details can be filled. Even laptops and PCs are in vogue.
 

If either batsman in going for the second or third run does not ground either his bat (which should be in his hand) or his foot properly in the crease, then that particular run will be recorded as 'short' and will not be added to the score, unless the ball crosses the boundary-line. Of course, the umpire will have to convey the same to the scorer. If both batsmen are 'short' while running the same run, then only one run will be deducted from the total runs completed. But suppose the first two runs are 'short runs' and one of the batsmen is run out while going for the third run, then no runs will be added to the score.

Clive Lloyd, the legendary West Indian captain, once lost his bat while going for the first run in a Test at Mumbai. He did not bother to pick it up and went on to complete the second run by grounding his foot behind the popping crease. In fact, he completed another run using the same method! With his gigantic strides, he could comfortably make his ground.

The grounding of the bat is very essential. Time and again, it has been observed that although the bat is behind the popping crease, it is not grounded. This results in either short runs or a run-out.

Deliberate short runs:

Once in a Club Grade match in Adelaide, the swashbuckling David Hookes who tragically died recently thought of a novel way in which to shield a tail-ender from the strike. Whenever he struck the ball in the deep, his partner completed two runs, but Hookes went just halfway down the pitch and returned. So only one run was scored but Hookes retained the strike. This happened repeatedly until the fielding captain objected. The umpires then put a stop to it. At that time, the law was silent on this aspect. It as only in the 2000 MCC Code that the ploy was formally outlawed.

According to the new code, all runs taken in such a manner are disallowed and the batsmen are warned. The batsmen have to return to their original ends. If it still continues, then not only are such deliberate short runs cancelled, but five runs are deducted by way of penalty.

Runs from penalties:

Runs scored off no-balls, wides, illegal fielding, lost ball etc. are recorded as penalties. Penalty runs are also awarded when the ball strikes the helmet of the fielding side that is kept behind the wicket keeper when not in use, and if a player who has left the field, returns without informing the umpires and comes in contact with the ball. There are other occasions when penalty runs are given to the batting side, which are covered by Law 42 that deals with fair and unfair play.

When a batsman is dismissed, the non-striker will return or stay at his original end when the mode of dismissal is bowled , leg-before, hit the ball twice, hit wicket, stumped, timed out or if the striker gets himself run out while batting with a runner.

The non-striker will proceed to the other end for the next delivery if the batsmen have crossed each other before the striker gets out caught, handled the ball, obstructing the field or run out. If both batsmen are facing each other (a rare instance), it amounts to not having crossed and the 'not out' player has to return to his original position.

- By Piloo Reporter