Set-up
Assign an official umpire (Mum is a favourite choice – and whatever she decides, goes! No arguments!)
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All players can bat and bowl, but a player can’t be dismissed from batting and then immediately bowl.
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A green wheelie bin, a deck chair or an esky shall be used as wickets at opposite ends of the chosen ‘pitch’.
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The ‘official’ backyard cricket ball is a tennis ball – nothing else will do! Tampering with the ball is at the discretion and consensus of all players.
Wheelie bin wickets
Wheelie bins are an easy substitute for wickets – everyone has one. But remember if the bowler hits anywhere on that bin – you’re gone (the wheelie bin never misses a catch!).
Bowling and fielding
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Kids may bowl to their full ability to any older players (unless it’s to grandma) but use slow-medium pace to anyone younger.
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The bowling crease is to be taken by a crack in the driveway, or by an identifiable patch in the grass.
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"One hand, one bounce" is out. Catching a ball with one hand off the first bounce is given out, whether it’s off the ground, a wall, a car, or any other obstacle.
Tree fielders
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Trees are a great asset when there aren’t enough players for a solid fielding team.
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The bowler gets to choose a certain number of trees or shrubs and if the ball hits any, the batsman is out.
Batting
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You can’t be ‘out’ from the first ball. This is to minimise the chance of tears and tantrums (mainly from the grown-ups!).
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If the ball touches the bat, you must run.
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Smashing the ball over the fence or into the pool will get you 6 runs, but you’re automatically out – and then the batsman has to go and retrieve the ball.
Extra rules
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Any ball caught by the dog falls under the ‘six and out’ rule.
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If the ball is lost – a new one will be found – so have plenty of tennis balls just in case. And the batsman who lost the ball will be out.
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Automatic runs - pick certain spots in the backyard (like the side of a shed or a fence) and award a certain number of automatic runs to anyone who can hit them.
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The rules can be changed at the whim of the organiser!
