Each cricket team contains 11 players and one player in reserve, known as the "12th man". The "12th man" can act as a substitute if a player is injured, but the "12th man" is not allowed to bat or bowl.
The make up of a cricket team can vary enormously but generally a well balanced team would contain five specialist batsmen, one all rounder, one wicket keeper and four bowlers. There is no limit on how many specialist batsmen or bowlers are included in the 11, but more often than not players are chosen to give a side a good balance between batting and bowling. A specialist wicket keeper is included in the side to keep wicket throughout the game although there has been a move towards wicket keepers who are also talented batsmen in recent years.
Example XI
1. Opening Batsman
2. Opening Batsman
3. Batsman
4. Batsman
5. Batsman
6. All rounder (i.e good at both batting and bowling.)
7. Wicket Keeper (Ideally also a decent batsman.)
8. Fast Bowler
9. Fast Bowler
10. Fast Bowler
11. Spin Bowler
Teams will also change the make up of their 11 in relation to where they are playing and the pitch conditions. For example, in the subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) teams are more likely to play an extra spin bowler because they are more effective in this part of the world.
