Cricket vs. Rounders — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 7, 2024
Cricket involves two teams, a bat, a ball, and runs scored by hitting the ball and running, while rounders is played with shorter bats, a smaller ball, and involves hitting the ball and running around four bases.
Difference Between Cricket and Rounders
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the center of which is a 22-yard (20-meter) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the balled ball with the bat, while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this and dismiss each player (so they are "out"). Whereas rounders is a striking and fielding team game, which involves hitting a small, hard, leather-cased ball with a rounded wooden, plastic or metal bat and then running around four bases to score.
In cricket, the game is divided into innings where one team bats, attempting to score as many runs as possible, while their opponents bowl and field, aiming to dismiss the batters and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team. On the other hand, in rounders, the batting team attempts to hit balls thrown by the pitcher, run around the bases to score, while the fielding team tries to stop them by catching the ball and touching the base ahead of the runner.
Cricket utilizes a complex scoring system and has a variety of match formats ranging from Test matches that last up to five days, to One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20s, which are considerably shorter. Rounders, however, typically follows a simpler scoring system and shorter match format, making it more accessible and quicker to play.
The rules of cricket are governed internationally by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has a comprehensive set of rules known as the Laws of Cricket. In contrast, rounders is regulated by the National Rounders Association in the United Kingdom, which maintains the rules and development of the game, indicating a more localized governance structure.
Cricket is predominantly played in countries within the Commonwealth, having a major following in countries like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan. Whereas rounders is more commonly played in the United Kingdom and Ireland, reflecting different geographical popularity and cultural significance.
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Comparison Chart
Number of players
11 on each team
Varies, but typically 9-15 on each team
Field shape
Oval, with a rectangular 22-yard pitch in the center
Circular or diamond-shaped, with four bases
Ball type
Hard, leather-covered ball
Smaller, leather-cased ball
Bat type
Flat-fronted bat made of wood
Rounded bat made of wood, plastic, or metal
Game duration
Varies from a few hours (T20) to 5 days (Test matches)
Generally shorter, often completed in less than 2 hours
Scoring
Runs scored by hitting the ball and running between the wickets
Runs scored by running around four bases
Compare with Definitions
Cricket
A team sport played with a bat and ball on a large field, known as a pitch, where two teams of eleven players each compete.
In cricket, a bowler delivers the ball to the batsman who tries to score runs.
Rounders
A bat-and-ball game played between two teams, involving hitting a ball and running around four bases to score.
They enjoyed playing rounders during physical education classes at school.
Cricket
Includes Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20s.
The cricket team prepared rigorously for the upcoming Test match.
Rounders
Uses a smaller ball and a rounded bat.
Rounders bats are shorter and lighter, making them easier to swing.
Cricket
Runs are scored by striking the ball and running between the wickets.
He scored a century in cricket by skillfully hitting the ball beyond the field boundaries.
Rounders
The rules in the UK are regulated by the National Rounders Association.
The National Rounders Association hosted the annual championship tournament.
Cricket
Overseen internationally by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC announced new cricket rules to improve the game's pace.
Rounders
More commonly played in the UK and Ireland.
Rounders is a popular summer sport in schools across the United Kingdom.
Cricket
Predominantly popular in Commonwealth countries.
Cricket is considered a national sport in India, attracting massive audiences.
Rounders
Points are scored by batting the ball, then running around the bases without being caught.
The player hit the ball and swiftly scored a rounder.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard (20-metre) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at the wicket with the bat (and running between the wickets), while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this (by preventing the ball from leaving the field, and getting the ball to either wicket) and dismiss each batter (so they are "out").
Rounders
Rounders is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams. Rounders is a striking and fielding team game that involves hitting a small, hard, leather-cased ball with a rounded end wooden, plastic, or metal bat.
Cricket
Any of various orthopteran insects of the family Gryllidae, having long antennae and legs adapted for leaping. The males of many species produce a shrill chirping sound by rubbing the front wings together.
Rounders
One that rounds, especially a tool for rounding corners and edges.
Cricket
(Sports) An outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets by two teams of 11 players each.
Rounders
One, such as a security guard, who makes rounds.
Cricket
Good sportsmanship and fair conduct
It's not cricket to cheat at cards.
Rounders
A dissolute person.
Cricket
A small wooden footstool.
Rounders
A boxing match that goes on for a specified number of rounds. Often used in combination
A five-rounder.
Cricket
A ridged structure made of two adjoining triangular pieces covered with flashing or roofing material and built at the upper intersection of a roof and chimney to divert water and prevent the accumulation of snow and debris. Also called saddle.
Rounders
Rounders (used with a sing. verb) An English ball game similar to baseball.
Cricket
To play the game of cricket.
Rounders
A team sport played with bat and ball with one fielding side and one batting side. It is similar to softball and baseball.
Cricket
An insect in the order Orthoptera, especially family Gryllidae, that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wing casings against combs on its hind legs.
Rounders
An English ball game similar to baseball
Cricket
In the form crickets: absolute silence; no communication.
Cricket
A signalling device used by soldiers in hostile territory to identify themselves to a friendly in low visibility conditions.
Cricket
A relatively small area of a roof constructed to divert water from a horizontal intersection of the roof with a chimney, wall, expansion joint, or other projection.
Cricket
An aural warning sound consisting of a continuously-repeating chime, designed to be difficult for pilots to ignore.
Cricket
(sports) A game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven, popular in England and many Commonwealth countries.
Cricket
An act that is fair and sportsmanlike.
Not cricket
Cricket
A variant of the game of darts. See Cricket (darts).
Cricket
A wooden footstool.
Cricket
To play the game of cricket.
Cricket
An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings.
Cricket
A low stool.
Cricket
A game much played in England, and sometimes in America, with a ball, bats, and wickets, the players being arranged in two contesting parties or sides.
Cricket
A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney.
Cricket
To play at cricket.
Cricket
Leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
Cricket
A game played with a ball and bat by two teams of 11 players; teams take turns trying to score runs
Cricket
Play cricket
Common Curiosities
What is cricket?
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game where two teams of eleven players each aim to score runs by hitting a ball and running between two sets of three small, wooden posts called wickets.
What equipment is used in cricket?
Cricket uses a flat-fronted wooden bat, a hard leather-covered ball, and protective gear for players.
How long does a cricket match last?
The duration of a cricket match can vary from a few hours (T20 format) to five days (Test matches).
What are the key rules of rounders?
Key rules include hitting the ball, running around the bases to score, and the fielding team working to catch out the batters.
How is the winner decided in cricket?
The winner is decided by which team scores the most runs, with various conditions for draws or ties in longer formats.
Is rounders a competitive sport?
Yes, rounders is played competitively, especially in schools and amateur leagues in the UK and Ireland.
Can cricket be played indoors?
Yes, indoor cricket is a variant of cricket played in a netted, indoor arena.
Are there professional rounders leagues?
While not as prominent as professional cricket leagues, there are organized rounders competitions, especially in educational settings.
How do you score in rounders?
In rounders, players score by hitting the ball and successfully running around four bases without being caught out.
What skills are important for playing rounders?
Key skills include batting, running, fielding, and strategic game understanding.
What makes cricket popular?
Its strategic depth, historic traditions, and the excitement of the game make cricket popular, especially in Commonwealth countries.
How has cricket evolved over the years?
Cricket has evolved with changes in rules, formats (like T20), and technology enhancing play and viewer experience.
How does the scoring system differ between cricket and rounders?
Cricket scoring involves runs made between wickets and boundaries, while rounders scores are based on completing circuits of four bases.
Can cricket and rounders be played by all ages?
Yes, both games are adaptable and can be enjoyed by players of all ages, with variations for younger players.
What is the origin of cricket?
Cricket originated in England and has a history extending several centuries, with international matches dating back to the 19th century.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
