Toss (cricket)

In cricket, the toss is a ritual conducted before the start of a match, or before the resumption of play after a significant break (e.g., due to rain), to determine which team has the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first. The process involves the captain of one team flipping a coin, and the captain of the other team calling either "heads" or "tails".

The umpire is typically responsible for supervising the toss. The coin is flipped, and the result is declared. The captain who called the correct side of the coin then has the option to elect to bat first, elect to bowl first, or defer the decision to the opposing captain. In the last case, the opposing captain is then required to make the choice.

The decision made as a result of the toss can be strategically significant. Factors such as weather conditions (e.g., a damp pitch favoring bowlers), the state of the pitch (e.g., a deteriorating pitch that will become harder to bat on later), and the perceived strengths of the teams can all influence the captain's choice. The toss and the subsequent decision can significantly impact the course of the match. Some captains have historically been known for specific approaches to the toss, either preferring to bat or bowl regardless of the circumstances.