Match day

Matches play themselves, even while you sleep. But a manager who turns up makes a difference. Here's a match day, from the slot on the calendar to the last ball.

Two a dayAt most two matches a day for your club.

46 to 49 a season38 league games, 8 in the cup groups, and up to 3 knockouts.

+10 moraleFor your XI when you're at the ground by kickoff.

About 5 minutesA whole T20 match, ball by ball.

When matches are played

Every match is a 20-over game in one of four daily slots, in your league's home time:

Each match starts up to 45 minutes after its slot. The app always shows the kickoff in your phone's own time, so you never have to convert.

Be at the ground by kickoff

The ground opens 10 minutes before kickoff. Tap Go to the ground on your Home screen before the first ball and your XI plays with +10 morale.

Arrive after kickoff and you can still watch every ball, but the lift is gone.

The toss

The toss happens in the last minute before kickoff.

1. Call itYou have 10 seconds to call heads or tails.
2. ChooseWin it and you have 10 seconds to bat or bowl.
3. Or let it rideNo choice in time? The pitch's usual choice is made for you.

It's a fair coin: your call doesn't change your chances.

Watching live

A match takes about five minutes. You can't bat or bowl for your players, but between overs you can:

• pick the next bowler, by name or simply spin, fast or any;
• change the batting approach or the field for the rest of the innings;
• choose who goes in next when a wicket falls.

Each bowler has four overs. A call that breaks a rule is refused, and you're told why.

Pitch and weather

Every match has its pitch and its weather, and both are known before the start. Check them when you set your XI.

• Batting pitchFlat and true
• Seamer friendlyMovement for the quicks
• Turning trackGrip and turn for spin
• Clear
• OvercastHelps swing
• Humid
• Windy
• HotDrains stamina faster

After the match

The Match report has the scorecard, the bowling, your takings, every ball, an analysis and the teams. The man of the match is the best single performance on the day, and the winning side gets the benefit of the doubt.

Practice matches

Want to try a new XI? A Practice match splits your squad and academy into two teams (you need 22 players). Nothing counts: no points, no money and no tired legs. Quick sim gives you the result at once.