Cricket vs. Hockey — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 13, 2024
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played on a large field, while hockey involves hitting a puck or ball with sticks on varied surfaces.
Difference Between Cricket and Hockey
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cricket is a sport primarily played between two teams, each consisting of eleven players, on an oval-shaped field with a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch at the center. The game's objective is to score runs by hitting a ball bowled at the wicket with a bat and running between the wickets. Hockey, in contrast, can refer to different games such as field hockey, ice hockey, and roller hockey, but all involve teams using sticks to hit a ball or puck into the opponent's goal, with each variant played on a specific surface like grass, ice, or a synthetic field.
The equipment used in cricket includes a cricket bat, balls, wickets, and protective gear for the players. Hockey players, depending on the type of hockey, use sticks shaped differently for field, ice, or roller hockey, a ball or puck, and protective gear including helmets, pads, and gloves to ensure safety during the fast-paced game.
Cricket matches can vary in length, from the traditional five-day Test matches to one-day internationals (ODIs) and the shorter Twenty20 (T20) format. Hockey games, regardless of the variant, are generally shorter, consisting of timed periods that total between 60 to 90 minutes of playtime, making hockey a faster-paced game compared to cricket.
In cricket, the role of the pitch is central to the game's dynamics, with its condition, type of soil, and grass length affecting ball behavior and gameplay. In hockey, the playing surface, whether it's grass, artificial turf, or ice, significantly influences the speed of the game, ball or puck control, and players' movements.
Cricket is particularly popular in countries like India, Australia, England, and the West Indies, and is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Hockey's popularity varies with the type; for example, field hockey is popular in countries like India, Australia, and the Netherlands, while ice hockey is predominant in Canada, the United States, and northern European countries, with each variant governed by its respective international federation.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Game
Bat-and-ball
Stick-and-ball/puck
Playing Field
Large oval field with a 22-yard pitch
Varied surfaces (grass, ice, synthetic)
Equipment
Bat, ball, wickets, protective gear
Sticks, ball/puck, protective gear
Game Length
Ranges from T20 (few hours) to Test matches (5 days)
60-90 minutes, depending on the variant
Playing Surface
Central pitch affects gameplay
Surface type influences speed and play style
Global Governing Bodies
International Cricket Council (ICC)
International Hockey Federation (FIH), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), etc.
Popular In
India, Australia, England, West Indies
Field hockey: India, Australia, Netherlands; Ice hockey: Canada, US, northern Europe
Compare with Definitions
Cricket
A team sport played on a large field, focusing on batting and bowling.
The cricket match drew thousands of fans to the stadium.
Hockey
A family of sports where teams use sticks to hit a ball or puck into the opponent's goal.
He trained four times a week for his hockey team.
Cricket
Uses a flat bat and a hard, leather ball.
The cricket bat was crafted from high-quality willow.
Hockey
Players use curved sticks and a ball or puck.
The hockey stick's curve is crucial for control and accuracy.
Cricket
Includes Test, ODI, and T20 formats.
The T20 cricket format is known for its fast-paced and exciting games.
Hockey
Includes field hockey, ice hockey, and roller hockey.
Ice hockey is particularly popular in colder climates due to the natural formation of ice.
Cricket
A major sport in several countries, often associated with historical and cultural traditions.
Cricket in India is not just a sport but a significant part of its culture.
Hockey
Consists of timed periods with a focus on speed and teamwork.
The final period of the hockey game was intense, with both teams fighting hard for the win.
Cricket
Involves batting, bowling, and fielding phases.
His outstanding performance in cricket included both batting and bowling.
Hockey
Different forms of hockey are integral to various cultures and regions.
Ice hockey is a key part of Canadian identity, celebrated as a national sport.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard (20-metre) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at the wicket with the bat (and running between the wickets), while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this (by preventing the ball from leaving the field, and getting the ball to either wicket) and dismiss each batter (so they are "out").
Hockey
Hockey is a sport in which two teams play against each other by trying to manoeuvre a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick. There are many types of hockey such as bandy, field hockey, ice hockey and rink 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
A team game played between two teams of eleven players each, using hooked sticks with which the players try to drive a small hard ball towards goals at opposite ends of a field. In North America it is called field hockey to distinguish it from ice hockey.
Cricket
(Sports) An outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets by two teams of 11 players each.
Hockey
Variant spelling of oche
Cricket
Good sportsmanship and fair conduct
It's not cricket to cheat at cards.
Hockey
Ice hockey.
Cricket
A small wooden footstool.
Hockey
Field hockey.
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
Street hockey.
Cricket
To play the game of cricket.
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
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
(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
In the form crickets: absolute silence; no communication.
Hockey
A variation of hockey, such as roller hockey, street hockey, shinny, or ball hockey.
Cricket
A signalling device used by soldiers in hostile territory to identify themselves to a friendly in low visibility conditions.
Hockey
Senseid|en|darts}} {{alternative form of oche.
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 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
An aural warning sound consisting of a continuously-repeating chime, designed to be difficult for pilots to ignore.
Hockey
The stick used by the players.
Cricket
(sports) A game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven, popular in England and many Commonwealth countries.
Hockey
Hockey played on a field; two opposing teams use curved sticks to drive a ball into the opponents' net
Cricket
An act that is fair and sportsmanlike.
Not cricket
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
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
Common Curiosities
What makes cricket unique compared to other bat-and-ball sports?
Cricket's unique aspects include its specific rules around overs, the significance of the pitch, and the variety of game formats ranging from short T20 matches to five-day Test matches.
How long does a typical cricket match last?
Cricket match lengths vary, from T20 matches that last about 3 hours, to ODIs (around 8-9 hours), to Test matches that can span five days.
Are there any mixed-gender teams in cricket or hockey?
While most professional teams are single-gender, there are mixed-gender teams at amateur levels and in social settings.
What is the role of a captain in a cricket team?
The captain strategizes, decides whether to bat or bowl first upon winning the toss, and makes critical decisions during the game.
Can cricket be played on an artificial surface?
While traditionally played on grass, cricket can also be played on artificial pitches, especially for practice and in areas where grass fields are not feasible.
What equipment is essential for playing hockey?
Essential hockey equipment includes a stick, a ball (for field hockey) or puck (for ice hockey), and protective gear like helmets, pads, and gloves.
How does the playing surface affect a hockey game?
The surface dictates the game's speed, with ice allowing for faster play and artificial turf providing consistent conditions for field hockey.
What is a power play in hockey?
A power play occurs when one team has a numerical advantage due to a penalty against the opposing team, increasing their chance to score.
Is hockey always played on ice?
No, hockey can refer to field hockey, played on grass or artificial turf, or roller hockey, played on a smooth surface, in addition to ice hockey.
Can cricket be played indoors?
Yes, indoor cricket is a variant played on a smaller, enclosed field, often with different rules to accommodate the space.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
