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DRESSING FOR A CRICKET MATCH
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Many of Norton Ditto's customers travel internationally and on occasion they are invited to attend a Cricket match. While the game is not a national sport in the United States it is very popular in many countries throughout the world. This section will give you a brief summary regarding the game and what is appropriate to wear to an event.
THE SPORT:
Cricket is a team sport for two teams of eleven players each. A formal game of cricket can last anywhere from an afternoon to several days. Although the game played and rules are very different, the basic concept of Cricket is similar to that of baseball. Teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team's innings. After each team has batted an equal number of innings (either one or two, depending on conditions chosen before the game.), the team with the most runs wins.
Note: In Cricket lingo, the word innings is used for both the plural and singular. Inning is a term used only in baseball.
Cricket Ball: The ball is a hard cork and string ball covered with leather. Traditionally the ball is dyed red with white stitching. Nowadays white balls are also used primarily at night under the lights.
Cricket Bat: The bat (Blade) is made of willow, flat on one side, humped on the other for strength and attached to a cane handle. The bat is 4.25 inches wide and 38 inches long.
Wickets: There are two wickets that are made up of wooden structures composed of a set of three stumps topped by a pair of bails. Stumps: three wooden posts that have spikes extending from their bottom end and_are hammered into the ground in an evenly spaced row so the cricket ball cannot pass between them. Bails: two wooden crosspieces, which sit in grooves atop the adjacent pairs of stumps.
Cricket Field: The Cricket field is a roughly elliptical field of flat grass, ranging in size from 100 to 160 yards across, bounded by an obvious fence or other marker. There is no fixed size or shape for the field, although large deviations from a low-eccentricity ellipse are discouraged. In the center of the field, and usually along the long axis of the ellipse, is the pitch, a carefully prepared rectangle of closely mown and rolled grass over hard packed earth. It is marked with white lines called creases.
The Game: A player called the batsman stands with his bat held down in front of the wicket, ready to hit the ball, which will be bowled (Also called Delivery) from the other end of the pitch. Obviously the goal of the batsman is to hit the bowled ball. A bowler can only bowl (throw) the ball six times then a new person will become the bowler.
The bowler can throw or bounce the ball past the batsman. Generally the bounced throw is considered more difficult to hit.
Whenever a batsman hits the ball during a delivery, he may score runs. The batsman running between the popping creases, crossing over midway between them, scores a run. The fielding side attempts to prevent runs being scored by threatening to run out one of the batsman. The batsman carries their bats as they run, and turning for another is accomplished by touching the ground beyond the crease with an outstretched bat. The batsmen do not have to run at any time they think it unsafe- it is common to hit the ball and elect not to run.
There are ten ways of getting out! We are not going to list all ten but a few examples: One out is termed caught. If a fielder catches the ball on the full after the batsman has hit it with his bat the batsman is out.
Another is bowled which means if the batsman misses the ball and it hits and breaks the wicket directly from the bowler's delivery he is out. A third example is Stumped: If a batsman misses the ball and in attempting to play it steps outside his crease, he is out stumped if the wicket-keeper gathers the ball and breaks the wicket with it before the batsman can ground part of his body. The final example is called run out. If a batsman is attempting to take a run, or to return to his crease after an aborted run, and a fielder breaks that batsman's wicket with the ball while his out of the crease he is out.
Two umpires adjudicate the game. They make all the decisions on the field and their word is absolutely final?
THE DRESS:
Players: Wear long pants, long or short sleeve shirt depending on the weather, and possibly a sleeveless or long sleeved woolen pullover in cold weather. For games played with a red ball, the clothing must be white or cream. With a white ball, players usually wear uniforms in solid team colors. There are no identifying marks or numbers on clothing.
Spectator: Coat: A navy blue blazer (safe choice) with gray or tan worsted wool or gabardine trousers (white or cream solid colors are alternatives in the spring and summer.). A shirt and tie is always appropriate. If you prefer more casual attire consider a collared knit shirt or regular long or short sleeve sport shirt in a solid color or in a small pattern. Turtle and crew neck knits and sweaters under the coat are also a good choice. Blazers in green, brown, tan, and black are fine. Navy is traditional and black is considered one of today's more fashionable colors. Sport coats withsmall or muted patterns will work well in the fall and winter months. Regarding *fashion, soft constructed sport coats are excellent choices. In the fall and winter, sweater vests under sport coats provide warmth and a smart look. In the fall, winter, and early spring a leather coat in the traditional dyed colors can be very snappy. In accessorizing the leather coat, treat it as a sport coat.
No Coat: For spring consider a collared knit shirt or sport shirt with a complementary sweater vest (a 100% cotton vest is great). A crew neck knit with a lightweight gabardine, cotton, or linen trouser is attractive. Inquire about the event regarding the makeup of the spectators and the tradition of the match. Remember, when in doubt, it is better to dress more conventionally. During the fall and winter, a white turtleneck or crew neck with dark gray or black pants is appealing. A black turtleneck or crew neck with black pants or gray is also attractive. (In either case the combination looks sharp with a leather coat, especially if it is dark in color.)
For warmer climes walk shorts are permissible if you discover the event is casual and attendees wear shorts. It all depends on the formality of the match and where it is held. If you do wear shorts please be aware of your socks. Do not wear suit socks! When in doubt wear white socks that are 1 - 1.5 inches above the ankle. Do not wear ankle (or below) socks.
Without a sport coat your belt becomes more important because it is so visible. A belt can make or break the finished look of an outfit. Do not wear a dull looking suit belt with or without a sport coat. The sport belt needs to have some personality. For example, the buckle on stylish sport belts generally makes more of a statement than it does on suit belts. Also the skin or weave of a belt can make a big difference.
Shoes: Please refer to Norton Ditto's brochures on Business Casual and Dressy Evening Casual for more details. However, most casual dress loafers will suffice. A handsome dressy walk shoe is fine. If you prefer a lace up shoe, the footwear should be a woven or a design that is fitting for casual wear. If you are not a clothing connoisseur, ask for advice. Please do not wear your dressy suit shoes with casual wear. Once again, depending on the situation, tasteful canvas shoes can be ok; however do not wear high top or bulky athletic shoes.
*Obviously some locales in the world are going to be more fashion oriented than others.
Simply be aware of your environment. Regardless of your geographical location, you never have to apologize for dressing properly.
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