Cricket vs. Hockey: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 19, 2023
"Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played on a circular field, primarily known in Commonwealth countries. Hockey involves teams competing to score by hitting a puck or ball into a net with a stick, played globally."
Key Differences
"Cricket" is a sport that emphasizes the use of a bat and ball, where the gameplay involves batting, bowling, and fielding. "Hockey," on the other hand, requires players to manipulate a ball or a puck using sticks, aiming to score in the opponent's goal.
In "cricket," players are more focused on strategic placements of ball throws and bat swings, requiring precision and physical stamina. "Hockey" demands agility, speed, and skilled footwork or skating, with swift, continuous movement across the field or ice rink.
"Cricket" matches can last anywhere from several hours to multiple days, making endurance and long-term strategy key elements of the game. In contrast, "hockey" games are shorter, typically confined to periods totaling around an hour, necessitating fast-paced decision-making and immediate action.
The playing environment for "cricket" is typically an oval-shaped field with a 22-yard pitch at the center. "Hockey" varies, with field hockey being played on grass or synthetic surfaces and ice hockey on an ice rink, contributing to differences in gameplay dynamics.
"Cricket" is historically prevalent in Commonwealth countries and has various formats like Test, One-Day, and Twenty20. "Hockey" enjoys widespread international popularity, with field and ice hockey having significant followings and being featured in international competitions like the Olympics.
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Comparison Chart
Equipment
Bat, ball, wickets
Sticks, puck/ball, nets
Duration
Variable (hours to days)
Fixed (around 60-70 minutes)
Playing Surface
Circular grass field
Grass field or ice rink
Team Composition
11 players
11 players (field), 6 players (ice)
Scoring
Runs
Goals
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Cricket and Hockey Definitions
Cricket
The flat, oval-shaped field where cricket is played.
The cricket was lush and well-maintained for the match.
Hockey
A sport in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.
Hockey is a popular winter sport in Canada.
Cricket
An insect of the order Orthoptera, known for its chirping sounds.
A cricket jumped through the grass with a rhythmic chirp.
Hockey
The playing area for the sport of hockey.
The hockey was slick and fast, ideal for a dynamic game.
Cricket
A low, continuous, chirping sound made by certain insects.
The sound of cricket filled the summer night.
Hockey
The team sport of field hockey.
She excels in hockey and has won many medals for her school.
Cricket
Fair and honorable behavior, especially in sports (cricket as metaphor).
He didn't play cricket when he secretly altered the documents.
Hockey
Street hockey, an informal type of hockey played on a hard surface.
The kids played hockey in the street until dusk.
Cricket
A bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players.
Cricket is revered as a major sport in India.
Hockey
Ice hockey.
Cricket
Any of various orthopteran insects of the family Gryllidae, having long antennae and legs adapted for leaping. The males of many species produce a shrill chirping sound by rubbing the front wings together.
Hockey
Field hockey.
Cricket
(Sports) An outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets by two teams of 11 players each.
Hockey
Street hockey.
Cricket
Good sportsmanship and fair conduct
It's not cricket to cheat at cards.
Hockey
(Commonwealth) Field hockey, a team sport played on a pitch on solid ground where players have to hit a ball into a net using a hockey stick.
Cricket
A small wooden footstool.
Hockey
(North America) Ice hockey, a game on ice in which two teams of six players skate and try to score by shooting a puck into the opposing team's net, using their sticks.
Cricket
A ridged structure made of two adjoining triangular pieces covered with flashing or roofing material and built at the upper intersection of a roof and chimney to divert water and prevent the accumulation of snow and debris. Also called saddle.
Hockey
A variation of hockey, such as roller hockey, street hockey, shinny, or ball hockey.
Cricket
To play the game of cricket.
Hockey
Senseid|en|darts}} {{alternative form of oche.
Cricket
An insect in the order Orthoptera, especially family Gryllidae, that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wing casings against combs on its hind legs.
Hockey
A game in which two parties of players, armed with sticks curved or hooked at the end, attempt to drive any small object (as a ball or a bit of wood) toward opposite goals.
Cricket
In the form crickets: absolute silence; no communication.
Hockey
The stick used by the players.
Cricket
A signalling device used by soldiers in hostile territory to identify themselves to a friendly in low visibility conditions.
Hockey
Hockey played on a field; two opposing teams use curved sticks to drive a ball into the opponents' net
Cricket
A relatively small area of a roof constructed to divert water from a horizontal intersection of the roof with a chimney, wall, expansion joint, or other projection.
Hockey
A game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of 6 skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with hockey sticks
Cricket
An aural warning sound consisting of a continuously-repeating chime, designed to be difficult for pilots to ignore.
Hockey
Ice hockey, a variant of hockey played on an ice rink.
He was a formidable defender in college hockey.
Cricket
(sports) A game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven, popular in England and many Commonwealth countries.
Cricket
An act that is fair and sportsmanlike.
Not cricket
Cricket
A variant of the game of darts. See Cricket (darts).
Cricket
A wooden footstool.
Cricket
To play the game of cricket.
Cricket
An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings.
Cricket
A low stool.
Cricket
A game much played in England, and sometimes in America, with a ball, bats, and wickets, the players being arranged in two contesting parties or sides.
Cricket
A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney.
Cricket
To play at cricket.
Cricket
Leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
Cricket
A game played with a ball and bat by two teams of 11 players; teams take turns trying to score runs
Cricket
Play cricket
FAQs
How long does a typical cricket match last?
It varies from a few hours to five days, depending on the format.
What's a "wicket" in cricket?
It refers to the three stumps and two bails at either end of the pitch.
How many players are on a cricket team?
A cricket team consists of 11 players.
What's the primary objective in hockey?
To score more goals than the opposing team.
Can cricket matches end in a draw?
Yes, especially in Test matches.
Are there different types of hockey?
Yes, including field hockey, ice hockey, and indoor hockey.
What equipment is essential for hockey?
Sticks, a puck or ball, protective gear, and a goal.
What are the different formats of cricket?
Test, One-Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 (T20).
Is cricket played in the Olympics?
It was once, but it's not currently part of the Olympic games.
How is overtime determined in hockey?
Rules vary, but it often involves extra time or a shootout.
What's a "run" in cricket?
A point scored by the batting team.
What's the role of a cricket captain?
They lead, strategize, and make key decisions for the team.
Can hockey games end in a tie?
No, they usually go into overtime or a shootout.
What's a hat-trick in hockey?
When a player scores three goals in a single game.
What are overs in cricket?
A set of six deliveries bowled by the same bowler.
What's a powerplay in hockey?
When one team has more players on the field due to an opponent's penalty.
Is hockey an Olympic sport?
Yes, both field and ice hockey are.
What's a century in cricket?
When a batter scores 100 runs in a single innings.
What's the difference between field and ice hockey?
Mainly the playing surface and some rules.
How many players are on the field in a hockey game?
11 in field hockey, 6 in ice hockey.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
