X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

Cricket Overs 6 times table adventure

A story-led page turning cricket overs into a junior adventure for practising the 6 times table.

Quick answer

Cricket overs are made up of 6 balls, so you can use the 6 times table to work out how many balls are in any number of overs. For example, 3 overs = 18 balls.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number by 6 using the cricket overs method, and you will know how to count balls in cricket overs. Success signs:
  • You can say the 6 times table from 0 to 12.
  • You can work out how many balls are in any number of cricket overs.
  • You can solve problems about cricket overs using multiplication.
  • You can explain why 6 x 4 = 24 using cricket balls.

Why this matters

Cricket is a fun sport where players bowl balls in groups called overs. Each over has exactly 6 balls. This means you can use multiplication to quickly work out how many balls are in any number of overs. Knowing your 6 times table helps you play cricket games, understand scores, and even solve problems at home.

How it works

In cricket, an over is made up of 6 balls. This means:
  • 1 over = 6 balls
  • 2 overs = 12 balls
  • 3 overs = 18 balls
  • 4 overs = 24 balls
  • 5 overs = 30 balls
  • 6 overs = 36 balls
We can use this idea to multiply any number by 6. If you have 5 overs, you can count 5 groups of 6 balls. That is the same as 5 x 6 = 30 balls.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how to use the 6 times table in cricket: Cricket Overs and Balls
Overs Balls How we count it
1 6 1 group of 6 balls
2 12 2 groups of 6 balls
3 18 3 groups of 6 balls
4 24 4 groups of 6 balls
5 30 5 groups of 6 balls
6 36 6 groups of 6 balls
7 42 7 groups of 6 balls
8 48 8 groups of 6 balls
9 54 9 groups of 6 balls
10 60 10 groups of 6 balls
11 66 11 groups of 6 balls
12 72 12 groups of 6 balls

Try it as a mini adventure

You are the captain of a cricket team and you want to know how many balls are in different numbers of overs. Let’s go on a cricket adventure together! Adventure Quest: You are playing a cricket game. You have bowled 4 overs. How many balls have you bowled? Step 1: You know that 1 over = 6 balls. Step 2: You have bowled 4 overs. Step 3: So, 4 overs = 4 x 6 balls. Step 4: Count the balls: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24 balls. Step 5: You have bowled 24 balls. Adventure Challenge: Now try this: 1st time: You have bowled 2 overs. How many balls is that? 2nd time: You have bowled 5 overs. How many balls is that? 3rd time: You have bowled 8 overs. How many balls is that? 4th time: You have bowled 10 overs. How many balls is that? 5th time: You have bowled 12 overs. How many balls is that?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 6 x 7 = 48 instead of 42.
    Why it happens: Confusing the 6 times table with another table.
    Fix: Use your fingers or count in groups of 6 to check: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 42.
  • Mistake: Counting 6 balls for 1 over, then 7 balls for 2 overs.
    Why it happens: Not knowing that each over is exactly 6 balls.
    Fix: Remember that every over has 6 balls, so 2 overs = 2 x 6 = 12 balls.
  • Mistake: Saying 6 x 0 = 6.
    Why it happens: Mixing up multiplication with addition.
    Fix: Remember that 0 groups of anything is 0, so 6 x 0 = 0.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing the cricket over game with them. Ask: "How many balls in 3 overs?"
  • Using real-life objects like counters or toys to show 6 groups of 6.
  • Practising skip counting in 6s: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72.
  • Using the table to help them see the pattern in the 6 times table.
  • Encouraging them to draw 6 balls for each over to help visualise the multiplication.

Practice questions

  1. How many balls are in 1 over?
  2. How many balls are in 3 overs?
  3. How many balls are in 5 overs?
  4. How many balls are in 7 overs?
  5. How many balls are in 10 overs?
Answers:
  1. 6 balls
  2. 18 balls
  3. 30 balls
  4. 42 balls
  5. 60 balls

FAQ

What is a cricket over?

A cricket over is a group of 6 balls bowled by one player in a cricket game.

Why do we use the 6 times table for cricket?

Because every cricket over has exactly 6 balls, so we can multiply the number of overs by 6 to find the total number of balls.

Can I use the 6 times table for other things?

Yes! You can use it to count anything in groups of 6, like eggs in cartons, or fingers on 6 hands.

How can I remember the 6 times table?

You can count in 6s, use skip counting, or draw groups of 6 to help you remember.

What if I forget a 6 times table fact?

You can count in 6s, draw the groups, or use a number line to help you work it out.

Complete 6 times table facts

6 Times Table Facts
Number 6 times that number
0 0
1 6
2 12
3 18
4 24
5 30
6 36
7 42
8 48
9 54
10 60
11 66
12 72