How Scoring Works in Cricket — Runs, Extras, and the Scoreboard
A beginner's guide to how runs are scored in cricket: singles, twos, threes, boundaries, sixes, extras (wides, no-balls, byes, leg byes), and how all these appear on a scorecard.
The Basics of Scoring
In cricket, runs are scored by the batting team and accumulated until the innings ends. Both batters add to the same team total — there is no separate individual team contribution that needs to be added up. The team's total is displayed on the scoreboard as runs/wickets (e.g. 156/4 — meaning 156 runs scored with 4 wickets fallen). Individual batter scores count toward the total and are also tracked separately in the scorecard.
Scoring by Running
The primary way to score runs is for both batters to run between the wickets. When a batter hits the ball, both batters run to the opposite end — completing one run. They can continue running back and forth for 2, 3, or even 4 runs if the ball remains in play. Crossing ends successfully scores runs; failing to complete the crossing (a run-out) reverses the last run attempt and counts as a wicket. Running decisions require calling ('Yes', 'No', 'Wait') between the two batters.
Boundary Runs
If the ball reaches the boundary rope, 4 runs are automatically added — the batters do not need to physically run. If the ball clears the boundary in the air (a six), 6 runs are scored. Any runs physically completed before the ball reaches the boundary are replaced by the boundary value, not added to it — the ball dead once it reaches the rope. Boundaries are the most efficient form of scoring and are prioritised in all limited-overs formats.
Extras — Runs Not Off the Bat
Extras are runs added to the batting team's total that are not credited to any individual batter. There are four types: Wides — a delivery too wide of the stumps to be hit; 1 extra run is added and the delivery is re-bowled. No-balls — an illegal delivery (front-foot overstepping, a dangerous bouncer, or other infringements); 1 extra is added, the delivery is re-bowled, and the next delivery is a free hit in T20 and ODI. Byes — runs scored when the ball passes the batter without being hit and the keeper misses it; the batters run. Leg byes — runs scored from the ball deflecting off the batter's body or pad (but not the bat) when a shot was attempted.
Reading the Scoreboard
A cricket scoreboard shows: Team Total/Wickets (e.g. 243/6); Overs completed (e.g. 41.3, meaning 41 full overs and 3 balls of the 42nd); Current run rate (CRR); Required run rate (RRR) in a chase; Individual batter scores with balls faced and strike rate; Partnership total; and often the last few dismissals. Modern digital scoreboards add win probability and projected totals. The scorecard — the full record of a completed innings — shows every batter's score, how they were dismissed, and every bowler's analysis.
Frequently asked questions
How does a batter score a run in cricket?
A batter scores a run by physically running between the two sets of wickets with their batting partner after hitting (or sometimes not hitting) the ball. Both batters must complete their run by grounding their bat inside the crease at the opposite end before the ball is returned. Boundaries (4 and 6) are scored automatically without running.
Do extras affect individual batting or bowling statistics?
Extras do not affect batting statistics. However, wides and no-balls count as additional runs against the bowler's figures — they increase the bowler's runs conceded and worsen their economy rate and bowling average if wickets result from those deliveries.
What happens if a batter scores 0 runs?
A score of 0 is called a duck. The batter's innings is recorded as 0, either 'out' (contributing 0 to dismissal count) or 'not out'. A duck affects the batting average if the batter was dismissed — 0 runs scored but 1 dismissal added to the denominator.