Cricket vs. Rounders: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Harlon Moss || Updated on May 21, 2024
Cricket is a globally popular bat-and-ball sport with complex rules and professional leagues, while rounders is a simpler bat-and-ball game commonly played in schools and local leagues, especially in the UK and Ireland.
Key Differences
Cricket is a widely played sport with a rich history and is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It features professional leagues and international competitions. In contrast, rounders is mainly a recreational sport in schools and community settings in the UK and Ireland, governed by the National Rounders Association.
Cricket matches can last from a few hours to several days, depending on the format (Test, One-Day, or T20). Rounders matches are much shorter, typically lasting about an hour, which makes them more accessible for casual play.
The equipment used in cricket includes a flat bat, hard leather ball, and protective gear like pads and helmets. Rounders use a smaller, rounded bat and a softer ball, with minimal protective equipment, reflecting its informal nature.
Cricket teams consist of 11 players, with specialized roles such as batsmen, bowlers, and fielders. Rounders teams usually have 9 players, with less specialization, focusing on batting, bowling, and fielding within the same game.
Cricket has intricate rules, including LBW (leg before wicket) and different types of dismissals like bowled, caught, and run-out. Rounders have simpler rules, emphasizing hitting the ball and running around bases, similar to baseball.
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Comparison Chart
Governing Body
International Cricket Council (ICC)
National Rounders Association
Match Duration
Several hours to multiple days
Typically about an hour
Equipment
Flat bat, hard leather ball, protective gear
Rounded bat, softer ball, minimal protection
Team Composition
11 players with specialized roles
9 players with less specialization
Rules Complexity
Complex rules (e.g., LBW, various dismissals)
Simpler rules focusing on bases and runs
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Cricket and Rounders Definitions
Cricket
A sport with two teams of eleven players aiming to score runs.
The local cricket team won the championship last year.
Rounders
A sport involving hitting a ball and running bases to score.
She scored a point by hitting the ball and reaching the fourth base.
Cricket
A game involving batting, bowling, and fielding with a hard ball.
Cricket requires strategic planning and skillful execution.
Rounders
A sport with simpler rules compared to cricket.
The simplicity of rounders makes it easy for children to learn.
Cricket
A sport with extensive rules and various forms of play.
Understanding the rules of cricket can be challenging for beginners.
Rounders
A bat-and-ball game commonly played in schools.
Rounders is often part of the physical education curriculum.
Cricket
A sport governed internationally by the ICC.
The ICC organizes the Cricket World Cup every four years.
Rounders
A game with a smaller bat and a softer ball than cricket.
Rounders equipment is designed for safe, informal play.
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.
Rounders
A recreational activity enjoyed in the UK and Ireland.
Many community events include a friendly rounders match.
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
Cricket
A game with formats like Test, One-Day, and T20.
T20 cricket matches are known for their fast pace and excitement.
FAQs
What is the main difference between cricket and rounders?
Cricket is a professional sport with complex rules, while rounders is a simpler, recreational game.
How long does a cricket match last?
Cricket matches can last from a few hours to several days depending on the format.
What equipment is used in cricket?
Cricket uses a flat bat, hard leather ball, and protective gear like pads and helmets.
How many players are on a rounders team?
A rounders team usually has 9 players.
Who governs cricket?
Cricket is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
How long does a rounders match last?
Rounders matches typically last about an hour.
What equipment is used in rounders?
Rounders use a smaller, rounded bat and a softer ball with minimal protective gear.
How many players are on a cricket team?
A cricket team consists of 11 players.
Is cricket played internationally?
Yes, cricket is played and followed internationally with major tournaments.
What are the different formats of cricket?
The main formats are Test, One-Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 (T20).
Is rounders a professional sport?
Rounders is mainly a recreational sport.
Who governs rounders?
Rounders is governed by the National Rounders Association.
Is rounders played internationally?
Rounders is primarily played in the UK and Ireland with less international presence.
Are the rules of rounders simple?
Yes, rounders have straightforward rules focusing on hitting and running bases.
Can children easily learn cricket?
Cricket can be complex for children to learn due to its detailed rules.
Can children easily learn rounders?
Yes, rounders are easy for children to learn due to its simplicity.
Do rounders players wear protective gear?
Rounders players typically wear minimal protective gear.
Are the rules of cricket complex?
Yes, cricket has intricate rules and various forms of play.
Do cricket players wear protective gear?
Yes, cricket players wear protective gear like pads, gloves, and helmets.
Is cricket a professional sport?
Yes, cricket is a professional sport with leagues and international competitions.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
