Cricket rules: formats, overs and match results

Limited-overs formats specify an innings allocation under their playing conditions. A Test has a different multi-day structure and result possibilities. Rain, interruptions and revised targets need the competition’s actual provisions rather than a remembered rule from another format.

An over normally contains six legal balls. At 12.3 overs, 75 legal balls have been completed: 12×6+3. The notation is not 12.3 decimal overs. Extras can add runs without completing another legal ball, so a commentary sequence may contain repeated ball labels.

A squad names players available for selection. The announced XI identifies a match side. Substitute or impact provisions depend on the competition. For fantasy questions, actual participation and eligibility need the provider’s own rules in addition to the sporting announcement.

A chase target, current runs and a final result are different values. A revised target should be traced to the official conditions and announcement. “Delayed” and “innings break” do not mean a match has a final outcome.

For 120 from 90 legal balls, the rate is 8 runs per six-ball over. If another innings has a different length, add runs and legal balls before deriving an aggregate. All-out treatment, revised targets and tournament NRR may require additional rules.

MCC publishes the Laws. ICC and the organiser publish relevant playing conditions. A media scorecard reports the event. A fantasy provider determines its points. A betting operator defines a settlement market. The same event can be described correctly in those records without the resulting numbers being interchangeable.