Australian Pairs

The game is played with two teams of two players, players A & B against X & Y

Teams determine who will bowl first by tossing a coin. In ‘sets’ play, the winner of the toss has the choice for the first set and the other team for the second. If an extra end is required, the teams toss again. In all sets or on the extra end, the team that bowls first must be first to announce its playing order.

The First End

On the first end, players A and X bowl two bowls each alternately in the normal way

They then change ends with their partners

Players B & Y then bowl their 4 bowls alternately

All players then change ends again

Players A & X bowl their remaining 2 bowls to complete the end

The Second End

Players B & Y then start the next end, which is played in the same way as the previous end

In this way, all players have played as Lead/Skip on one end, and 'in the middle' on the other end

This process is then repeated until the agreed number of ends is completed