Beach cricket rules: A simple guide for sunny games

Beach cricket is cricket’s laid-back, sun-soaked cousin, the kind of game where Nana strides in to bat like she’s at the SCG, Great Uncle Bob is stationed somewhere in the outfield having a chat with a seagull, and little Joe “forgets” it’s his turn to bowl because he’s busy engineering a sandcastle masterpiece.

It’s fast, flexible, and powered more by laughs than rules. The best part? You don’t need perfect pitches or heaps of gear, just a bat, a soft ball, a few mates, and a simple set of agreed rules to keep things friendly and fair.

1. Teams and setup

• Split into two teams, anywhere from 3 to 10 a side depending on your crew.
• Try to balance adults and kids so it stays fun for everyone.
• Mark a loose boundary with towels, thongs, bags, or driftwood.

2. The pitch and wicket

Pick a spot for the batter and a spot for the bowler, about 8–12 metres apart (shorter if little kids are bowling).

For wickets, use whatever works:

• a set of stumps if you’ve brought them
• a backpack, bucket, or beach chair
• thongs in the sand (the classic)

Just make sure everyone agrees on what counts as “hit.”

3. Batting & scoring rules

Most family games work best with one batter at a time. That way everyone gets a turn and there’s less sprinting for the tiny legs.

Options for batting turns:

• Bat until out, then swap
• Fixed balls each (6 or 12 is plenty)

Scoring can be:

• Running between two markers, or
• Automatic runs by zones (great if you’ve got little kids who don’t want to run every ball).
  • Example: short hit = 1, medium = 2, to the boundary = 4, over = 6.

4. Bowling rules

Take turns bowling an over each (6 balls), or just rotate every couple of balls if that’s easier.

Family-friendly tweaks:

• Underarm bowling is totally fine, especially for younger kids.
• Keep the pace gentle.
• If someone’s struggling to hit, let the bowler step closer.

If the ball goes into the water, the unofficial beach rule applies: whoever hit it closest to the surf is usually the one retrieving it… unless a very eager kid sprints off first.

5. Ways to get out

Stick to simple outs so nobody gets confused halfway through:

• Caught: clean catch before it hits sand.
• Bowled: ball hits the wicket/target.
• Run out: if you’re playing runs and the ball hits the wicket before the batter makes the line.

Optional “beach upgrades” you can add if you like:

• One-bounce one-hand catch counts (harder on sand).
• Hit it into the ocean = automatic out (only if everyone agrees — it’s harsh but effective).

6. Boundaries and scoring

• Over the boundary on the full: 6
• Rolls/bounces over: 4

If space is tight, feel free to make one side a “short boundary” and the other “deep boundary.”

7. Winning the game

Keep it quick and bite-sized:

• Fixed overs: 5–10 overs each team
• Timed innings: 20–30 minutes per side

The team with the most runs wins. Or, if the kids are melting down and the sunscreen’s worn off, call it a draw and head for a swim. Honestly, that’s still a win!