Indoor Cricket
Officially Indoor Cricket (World Indoor Cricket Federation)
FAST-PACED 6v6 INDOOR VARIANT of cricket (invented 1970s AUSTRALIA) played in enclosed NETTED CAGE (~30 m × 12 m × 4.5 m high) — ball can rebound off SIDE + BACK + ROOF NETS + still be in play. 12 OVERS per innings; batting pairs face 4 overs each; RUNS scored via standard hits PLUS BONUS RUNS for hitting specific TARGET ZONES on nets. Boundary hits worth 1-6 extra runs by zone. Governed by WICF; WORLD CUP since 1995; Australia + New Zealand + South Africa + England dominant.
Quick facts
Category
Ball Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
12–12
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Enclosed netted cage — synthetic turf floor
Country of origin
🇦🇺 Australia
Estimated origin
Indoor cricket developed late 1970s in Perth, Australia as year-round + weather-independent alternative to outdoor cricket; commercial centers spread across Australia + NZ 1980s; WICF (World Indoor Cricket Federation) founded 1995; first World Cup 1995 Melbourne; now played in 20+ countries with strongest bases Australia, NZ, South Africa, England.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score more RUNS (physical run + bonus zone runs) than opponent in 12 overs.
Rules
Basic rules
6v6 TEAMS: 3 BATTING PAIRS each face 4 overs (24 balls) — pair stays in even after out
Signature 3-pair batting rotation.
BATTING PAIRS stay in even AFTER OUT — but each dismissal COSTS 5 RUNS (deducted from score)
Signature -5 penalty for out (batter stays in).
RUNS: physical runs standard cricket + BONUS RUNS for hitting NET ZONES: rear net 2 runs, side net 1 run, front zone 6 runs (if past bowler on full), boundary 4 runs, direct 6 runs
Signature zone-bonus scoring.
BALL LIVE off ANY NET (roof, side, back) — batsman can hit ball off nets like squash
Signature ball-off-nets rule.
12 OVERS per innings, bowled by 6 different bowlers (each bowls 2 overs max)
Signature 12-over innings + 2-over bowler cap.
NO LBW (leg-before-wicket) in indoor cricket — since ball off nets makes LBW impractical
Signature no-LBW rule.
DISMISSALS: bowled, caught (including off nets on volley), run out, stumped
Signature dismissal options.
Scoring
Runs scored via physical runs + zone bonuses; -5 for each dismissal.
Win condition · Higher score after 12 overs each.
Playing area
Called
Enclosed netted cage — synthetic turf floor
Dimensions
30 m × 12 m × 4.5 m high; batting crease standard cricket length (22 yards / 20.12 m)
Equipment
INDOOR CRICKET BALL: soft yellow-cored ball with hard cover ~140 g (softer than test ball but harder than tennis ball)
Signature yellow indoor cricket ball.
CRICKET BAT (STANDARD)
Standard cricket bat.
STUMPS + BAILS (standard)
Standard cricket wickets.
PROTECTIVE GEAR: helmet + pads + gloves + box (mandatory)
Standard cricket protective gear.
NETTED CAGE: 4 side nets (front, back, both sides) + roof net — ball live off any net
Signature netted enclosure.
SCORING ZONES on back + side nets (colored zones give 1-6 bonus runs)
Signature scoring net zones.
Terminology
- Zone
- Colored net area giving bonus runs when hit.
- Pair
- Batting pair — 2 batters share 4 overs.
- -5
- Penalty for dismissal (out) — batter continues but loses 5 runs.
- WICF
- World Indoor Cricket Federation.
Major competitions
Indoor Cricket World Cup
every 3 years · Various (host rotates) · since 1995
Trans-Tasman Trophy (AUS vs NZ)
annual · Australia + New Zealand
Indoor Cricket Champions Trophy
biennial · International
Where it is played
Governing bodies
WICF — World Indoor Cricket Federation
Founded 1995 · Australia
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Rob Nixon (AU, multi-World Cup)
- Wesley Barresi (RSA, indoor + outdoor pro)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Indoor cricket— Wikipedia
- WICF official— WICF