What do I need to do before the game?

The home team sets up a scorer's table and two chairs, at least 3 metres back from the boundary. Sit next to the other team's scorer so you can check scores together.

Bring the scorebook, two pencils and an eraser. If you're scoring on PlayHQ, bring a charged laptop or tablet and a charger or battery pack, and keep the paper book as a backup.

Fill in the top of the scorecard: team names, date, venue, coach names, toss result, and the time of the first ball.

Write the batters' names in the order they'll bat, and the bowlers' names in the order they'll bowl; the coach gives you both. In Stage 1 the orders rotate every week, so don't copy last week's.

Count how many players the batting team has: that sets each batter's retirement ball count.

Introduce yourself to the main umpire and agree how you'll acknowledge their signals.