Abbreviation puzzle: In the code "6 B in an O", what familiar sports fact does this stand for?

Introduction / Context:
This question uses the popular style of abbreviation puzzles where a number and some letters encode a well known fact. You are expected to decode "6 B in an O" into a full sentence. Such puzzles often appear in reasoning sections to test how quickly you can connect short codes to common knowledge from sports, calendars or everyday life. Here, the context is clearly related to a standard rule in cricket.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The coded phrase is "6 B in an O".
• The number 6 suggests a fixed quantity, and B and O are initials of words.
• Options include phrases about books, bats, balls, bases and a none of the above option.
• We assume familiarity with basic cricket rules, especially overs and balls.

Concept / Approach:
In cricket, an over is a set of consecutive legal balls bowled by one bowler. In modern standard formats, an over consists of exactly 6 legal deliveries. This rule is widely known and constant across most forms of the game. The abbreviation "6 B in an O" naturally maps to "6 balls in an over". Other combinations like books in an order or bats in an old kit are not fixed facts and do not appear as standard quiz statements. Therefore, the puzzle clearly points towards cricket.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret the number 6 as a count of something commonly known to come in sixes. Step 2: Consider that B is likely to stand for "balls" and O for "over", a pair of terms used together in cricket scoring. Step 3: Recall the rule: in cricket, 1 over = 6 legal balls bowled by a single bowler. Step 4: Convert the abbreviation to a full sentence: "6 balls in an over". Step 5: Check that no other option corresponds to a fixed, standard rule in sports or everyday life. Step 6: Conclude that "6 balls in an over" is the only answer that fits both the abbreviation and a widely known fact.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the answer using your knowledge of cricket. Scoreboards and commentators frequently mention overs and balls, for example, "He has bowled 4 overs and 2 balls, for a total of 26 runs." This usage assumes everyone understands that an over has 6 balls. None of the other proposed phrases are common expressions or rules, so they cannot be the intended decoding of the puzzle.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "6 books in an order", is not a fixed fact; a book order can contain any number of books.

Option B, "6 bats in an old kit", is not a standard expression and has no clear reason to be universally true.

Option D, "6 bases in an offence", does not correspond to any major sport's rules; baseball, for example, uses 4 bases.

Option E, "None of the above", is incorrect because option C exactly matches a well established rule.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may try to decode every letter and number in a very literal or unusual way, inventing sentences that are technically possible but not familiar facts. In these puzzles, familiarity and common usage are crucial. When you see a number and letters that look related to a sport you know, it is usually best to check that simple explanation first. Here, cricket provides the immediate and correct interpretation.

Final Answer:
The code "6 B in an O" stands for 6 balls in an over.