Although the game is called bucket cricket, playing with a round or square metal drum that stands about 14 inches high and 9 inches across is more satisfying. Use a bat of a piece of wood approximately 20 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. We’re using a tennis ball or a rubber ball of a similar size.
Here are the ways you can earn runs in the game:
- For each bowl made, the batsman scores one run unless they get out with that bowl.
- If the batsman hits the ball, they gain an additional run.
- A bowler can fake a bowl (pretend to throw without releasing the ball), which still counts as one run.
- The ball may be deliberately passed across the circle, adding one run.
And here are the ways a batter can be out:
- If the ball hits the drum, the batsman is out.
- If a fielder catches the ball, the batsman is out.
- If the batsman plays on and hits the drum, they’re out.
- If the batsman falls off the drum, they’re also out.
Other rules:
- The bowler must deliver the ball underhand from outside the circle.
- If the bowl doesn’t reach the circle’s edge, an umpire will instruct a nearby player to retrieve the ball for the next bowl.
- No balls are called if the bowler’s body touches the floor within the circle or if they throw rather than bowl underhand.
- A batsman cannot be out on a no ball.
Once all the members of the first patrol have batted, they return to their positions in the circle, and their total score is recorded. Then, it’s the next patrol’s turn to leave the circle. If you have an uneven number of scouts in patrols, you can even things out by allowing some scouts to bat twice.
Jon Bloor
I'm a leader with more than 30 years of experience and I have run beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers. I was in a trial group for the scout network. Presently, I am group scout leader (or group lead volunteer) at 4th Ashby Scout Group.
Download this cheat sheet to plan and review your meetings more effectively.
