The number of runs hit by a team in one innings is represented by a batting scorecard. This scorecard must be read from top to bottom and features the below-mentioned features.
The uppermost bar features the name of the batting team. Immediately below is a subtitle that states the name of the series with the year, the number of the match in the series, and the order of the innings (first or second). Some scorecards also feature the name of the venues where the match is held. For example, if India is batting first against Australia in the second match of a three-match series, then the top two bars will read as follows:
INDIA
Paytm ODI series 2nd ODI – 1st innings
Below these bars is the body of the scorecard. This contains the names of the playing eleven of the side. The names are in the order in which they are supposed to bat. The names of the two players who are currently playing is either highlighted or marked with an asterisk. The words “not out” are displayed beside their names. When batters get out, the following things will be added alongside their name: the manner in which the batter was dismissed, the number of runs scored by the batter, and the number of balls faced by the batter. The latter is written in brackets. For example, Rohit Sharma has hit 23 runs in the 25 balls he faced. On the next ball he is dismissed by Mitchell Starc because the wicket-keeper (Alex Carey) took the catch. The scorecard would read as follows:
R Sharma c Carey b Starc 23(25)
S Dhawan not out 115(135)
KL Rahul not out 0(0)
The bottom-most bar features the number of runs scored through extras, the number of overs bowled in the innings, the number of runs scored in the innings, and the number of wickets fallen.
A team’s total score is the number of runs scored by the batter plus the number of extras given by the bowling side. The number of overs represent the total overs bowled at the completion of the innings. In limited-overs cricket, this number cannot exceed 50 and 20 respectively. Hence the bottom bar of the batting scorecard of a team that has scored 320 runs in 50 overs and lost 6 wickets might look something like this:
Extras: 12 Overs: 50.0 Total: 320-6
Thus, a batting scorecard can help you understand vital information like the highest scorer of the batting side, the most successful bowler from the bowling side, the number of extras conceded by the bowlers, the number of wickets fallen, and the fielder who took the most catches in the innings.
