So now we know which symbols to use, how do we interpret them in the batting, bowling, extras and totals analysis? The WIDE is a WIDE extra and the bowler is credited with the wicket. The batsman would be out and a 'W' is added to the WIDE 'cross' symbol. The only other possible addition to the WIDE symbol is if the batsman hits the stumps with his bat or person or the wicket-keeper stumps him. Again a 'dot' is added for each bye that is run. With WIDE deliveries it is common to see batsmen run byes or the ball run down to the boundary for 4 byes. These and the NO BALL are NO BALL extras. Again it is easier to 'encircle' the 'dots'. In this case each bye taken is marked with a 'dot'. More often you might see a NO BALL delivery elude the wicket keeper and the batsmen run byes or the ball runs to the boundary for 4 byes.

These are batsman's runs and the NO BALL itself is a NO BALL extra. In practice it is easier to write down the number then 'encircle' it. But if the batsman hits the ball and scores singles, a boundary 4 or boundary 6 off the delivery, then the runs are marked inside the 'circle'. The 'circle' symbol as above indicates NO BALL. However, it gets a little more complicated when a combination of elements are added to the run of events: Inexperienced scorers often get the NO BALL and WIDE symbols mixed up but remembering which is which is quite easy if you liken the WIDE symbol to the umpires signal for a WIDE - standing arms out to the side in the shape of a cross. It requires concentration, a bit of help in the shape of a team mate who can confirm a signal or number of runs made and it requires a proper understanding of the hieroglyphs that are 'the cricket scoring symbols'.

It's not simple but it's not rocket science. The Cricket scorekeeper’s art can be as complicated or as simple as you care to make it. Trying to find a decent online reference for the novice scorer has proven much more difficult than I envisaged, so here I have borrowed from a number of sources to try and produce something meaningful and helpful. Learn how to complete the scorebook - The Basics

Cricket score sheet 16 overs