THERE are few sports as apparently arcane as cricket.

Its language and jargon complicate things further, but at its essence it is a simple game.

For those new to the game, the key to enjoying Ireland's world cup is to forget all your preconceptions and discard any thoughts about 'silly mid on' and 'leg before wicket'.

All you really need to know about World Cup cricket is that the first team to bat gets 300 balls to score as many runs as possible. The second team then get 300 balls to try to beat it. Simple!

It does get a bit more complicated that that, but here's an A to Z guide for the pub bluffer:

A is for ALL-ROUNDER Player who can bat AND bowl well. Ireland has several, including Trent Johnston, Andrew White and Kevin O'Brien.

B is for BAT Made from willow, it typically weighs between 2lb 6oz and 3lbs.

C is for CENTURY Score of 100 runs or more, as achieved by Jeremy Bray against Zimbabwe.

D is for DUCK Less-prized target for batsmen. Zero is shaped like a duck egg.

E is for EDGE Bowlers try to flick the ball against the edge of the bat, giving a catch to the wicketkeeper.

F is for FIELD POSITIONS There are dozens, but only nine men to fill them. One of the great skills of a captain is deciding which positions to occupy.

G is for GULLY One of the fielding positions, stands between slips, cover and backward point. Does that help? Thought not.

H is for HOOKING Nothing to do with rugby or prostitution. Spectacular but risky shot played by a right-handed batsman over his left shoulder.

I is for INNINGS Used in two different ways. Player gets to bat once, which is called an innings. Also applied to total score of a team.

J is for JAMAICA The West Indies comprises 7,000 islands and 28 states, but the team draws players from less than a dozen.

K is for KYLE McCALLAN Ireland's most capped player.

Has played 154 times and is set to add to that figure in the next month.

L is for LEG BEFORE WICKET Complex law to prevent batsman protecting wicket with his legs. Batsman is out if the umpire decides he is.

M is for MAIDEN An over (see below) in which the batsman fails to score a run.

N is for NORTH COUNTY Powerful club in Fingal region of Dublin formed from Man O'War and Balrothery clubs.

Provides four players to the Ireland squad.

O is for OVER Comprises six balls. Bowlers deliver an over from one end then teammate does the same from the other.

In World Cups bowlers are limited to 10 overs.

P is for PLAYERS 11 a side.

Teams usually field five batsmen, one wicketkeeper and five bowlers. All rounders (see above) are thus valuable.

Q is for QUICK Some bowlers have been recorded at speeds of over 100mph.

Ireland's bowlers are not as quick, but Boyd Rankin was timed at 86mph.

R is for RUNS Batsman score by hitting the ball over the boundary without bouncing (six) or with a bounce (four). They can also run one, two, three, even four when they hit the ball. Though as they can be out if they fail to reach the other end in time, judging when to run is crucial.

S is for SPINNER There are two main types: offspinners rotate the ball clockwise in their fingers as they bowl, making the ball spin in towards a right-handed batsman. Legspinners bowl it from the back of the hand, using the wrist to impart spin.

Their deliveries break away from the batsman.

T is for TEA Cricket is the only sport in which meal breaks are written into the laws. Matches stop for a light meal of tea and sandwiches . . .but never of cucumber.

U is for UMPIRE There are two, who take charge of alternate overs. Also adjudicate on lbw and disputed catches.

Must be able to count to six.

V is for VANESSA Her marriage to Sydneysider Trent Johnston allowed him to play for Ireland. He is now captain.

W is for WICKETKEEPERThe only fielder allowed to wear gloves. Stands behind the stumps, where he helps direct tactics. Chirpy Niall O'Brien is Ireland's.

X is for XENOPHON BALASKAS Australian of Greek origin, he is the only man whose name begins with X to play test cricket.

Y is for YMCAClub based in Dublin 4 that was very strong in 1980s and '90s. Star players include ex-Ireland captain and rugby referee Alan Lewis.

Z is for ZZZZZZ Used to be heard from spectators at cricket matches. But not anymore.