Test cricket is played on five consecutive days, 90 overs of play on each day. In test cricket, each team can bat twice in a match. In general, there are four innings in a single test match. If a team batting in their first innings is bowled out for a score which is 200 runs or more less than the first innings score of the opposition, then the leading team captain can either start their own second innings, or enforce the opposition to follow on. If a team is satisfied with their current score, their captain can declare the end of their innings and put the opposition into batting. Whatever be the state of the match, the main objective is to score maximum possible runs in the two innings combined and bowl out the opposition in both their innings. If no result is reached even after completing the five days of play, the match is adjudged a draw.

In limited overs cricket, each team can bat only once. The team batting second has to score one run more than the score made by their opposition. Each innings comes to a close when either the batting team is bowled out or the allotted overs completed or the target achieved. Each bowler can bowl only a maximum of 10 overs, with the total number of overs not exceeding 50. In the first 10 overs of each innings in a 50-overs a side one-day international, only two fielders can stand beyond the inner circle drawn on the ground. Also, there needs to be two catching positions. There are two blocks of 5 overs each at any other state of each innings after the initial 10 mandatory overs with the field restrictions applicable again, but with the exception of catching positions. This lies at the discretion of the bowling team captain.