cricket, an innings refers to a phase of play in which one team bats while the other team fields and bowls. It is the period during which a team attempts to score as many runs as possible until they are all out, a set number of overs are bowled, or the captain declares the innings closed (in Test cricket).
Key Points About Innings:
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Plural and Singular: The word innings remains the same in both singular and plural forms.
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Number of Innings by Format:
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Test Matches: Each team has two innings.
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ODIs (One Day Internationals): Each team has one innings of 50 overs.
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T20Is: Each team has one innings of 20 overs.
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End of an Innings: An innings can end when:
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All 10 wickets fall (for a team with 11 players).
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The designated overs are completed.
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The captain declares the innings closed (in Test cricket).
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A team successfully chases down the target in limited-overs cricket.
Types of Innings:
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First Innings: The first batting turn of a team.
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Second Innings: The second batting turn, usually of the opposing team.
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In Test cricket, there can be third and fourth innings due to the two-inning format.
Example:
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In a Test match, Team A scores 350 runs in their first innings. Team B scores 280 in their first innings. In the second innings, Team A scores 200, setting a target of 271 runs for Team B in their second innings.
Understanding innings is crucial to comprehending the structure and strategies of cricket across different formats.