Cricket Glossary
The complete dictionary of cricket terms. From batting to bowling, fielding to match formats.
B
Boundary
A boundary is when the ball reaches or crosses the boundary rope after being hit by the batsman. A ball that bounces before crossing scores 4 runs, while one that clears the rope without bouncing scores 6 runs.
Batting Average
Batting average is the total number of runs scored divided by the number of times the batsman has been dismissed. It measures a batsman's consistency.
Bouncer
A bouncer (also called a bumper) is a short-pitched delivery that rises towards the batsman's head or chest after pitching. It is used to intimidate batsmen and force errors.
Beamer
A beamer is a full toss that reaches the batsman above waist height without bouncing. It is dangerous and considered an illegal delivery. A no-ball is called and repeated beamers can result in the bowler being banned from bowling.
Bowling Average
Bowling average is the number of runs conceded per wicket taken. A lower bowling average indicates a more effective bowler. Formula: Runs Conceded / Wickets Taken.
Byes
Byes are extras scored when the ball passes the batsman and wicketkeeper without touching the bat, allowing the batsmen to take runs.
Bat
A cricket bat is made of willow wood with a cane handle. The blade must not exceed 108mm in width and 38mm in depth. The total length cannot exceed 965mm.
Ball
A cricket ball is made of cork wrapped in leather with a raised seam. Red balls are used in Test cricket, white balls in limited-overs, and pink balls for day-night Tests.
Bails
Bails are two small pieces of wood that sit on top of the stumps. The wicket is "broken" when at least one bail is dislodged, which is required for most dismissals.
C
Century
A century is when a batsman scores 100 or more runs in a single innings. It is considered one of the most prestigious achievements for a batsman in cricket.
Carrom Ball
A carrom ball is a delivery flicked with the fingers (similar to playing carrom) that spins unexpectedly. It was popularized by Ajantha Mendis and R Ashwin.
Cover
Cover is a fielding position on the off side, between point and mid-off. Cover fielders often need to be athletic to cut off drives and quick singles.
Catch
A catch is a mode of dismissal where a fielder catches the ball hit by the batsman before it touches the ground. The catch must be taken cleanly.
Crease
The crease is a set of white lines near the stumps. The popping crease (4 feet in front of stumps) determines if a batsman is in or out of their ground.
Captain
The captain is the leader of the team who makes strategic decisions including field placements, bowling changes, and batting order. They also handle the toss.
D
Double Century
A double century is when a batsman scores 200 or more runs in a single innings. This is a rare and exceptional achievement, primarily seen in Test cricket.
Duck
A duck is when a batsman gets out without scoring any runs. The term comes from the shape of the number 0, which resembles a duck's egg.
Diamond Duck
A diamond duck is when a batsman gets out without facing a single ball, typically through a run out at the non-striker's end.
Doosra
A doosra is a delivery bowled by an off-spinner that turns the opposite way (from leg to off for a right-handed batsman). The term means "the other one" in Hindi/Urdu.
DLS Method
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is a mathematical formula used to calculate target scores in rain-affected limited-overs matches. It considers resources (wickets and overs) remaining.
Declaration
A declaration is when a captain voluntarily ends their team's innings before all batsmen are out. This is typically done in Test cricket to set up a result.
Draw
A draw is a result in Test cricket when neither team wins after all scheduled play is completed. This is different from a tie where scores are level.
Death Overs
Death overs are the final overs of a limited-overs innings (typically the last 5 overs in T20 or last 10 in ODI) when batsmen try to score quickly.
DRS
DRS (Decision Review System) allows teams to challenge on-field umpire decisions using technology. Each team gets a limited number of unsuccessful reviews per innings.
E
Edge
An edge is when the ball makes contact with the edge of the bat rather than the middle. This can result in catches to the wicketkeeper or slips.
Economy Rate
Economy rate is the average number of runs conceded per over by a bowler. A lower economy rate indicates more economical bowling. Formula: Runs Conceded / Overs Bowled.
Extras
Extras are runs scored without being hit by the batsman. They include wides, no-balls, byes, and leg byes. Extras are added to the team's total but not individual scores.
F
Four
A four is scored when the batsman hits the ball to the boundary rope and it bounces at least once before crossing. It is worth 4 runs.
Full Toss
A full toss is a delivery that reaches the batsman without bouncing. It is generally considered a bad ball as it is easy to hit, unless bowled as a slower ball.
Five-wicket Haul
A five-wicket haul (also called a fifer or five-for) is when a bowler takes five or more wickets in a single innings. It is a significant achievement for any bowler.
Flipper
A flipper is a leg-spinner's delivery that skids low and fast after pitching, rather than bouncing. It is squeezed out of the hand and often catches batsmen off guard.
Fine Leg
Fine leg is a fielding position on the leg side, behind square and close to the boundary. It covers leg glances and fine deflections.
Follow-on
In Test cricket, if a team trails by a certain margin (200 runs in 5-day Tests) after the first innings, the opposing captain can ask them to bat again immediately.
Free Hit
A free hit is awarded after a front-foot no-ball in limited-overs cricket. The batsman cannot be dismissed except by run out, stumping, or hitting the ball twice.
G
Golden Duck
A golden duck is when a batsman gets out on the very first ball they face without scoring any runs.
Googly
A googly is a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spinner that turns in the opposite direction (from off to leg for a right-handed batsman) than expected. Also known as a wrong'un or bosie.
Gully
Gully is a fielding position on the off side, between point and the slips. It is wider than the slips and often catches balls that are cut or edged.
H
L
Leg Spin
Leg spin is a type of spin bowling where the ball spins from leg to off (right to left for a right-handed batsman). Leg spinners typically bowl slower and with more variations.
Leg Byes
Leg byes are extras scored when the ball deflects off the batsman's body (not the bat) and the batsmen take runs. The batsman must have attempted a shot or tried to avoid the ball.
LBW
LBW (Leg Before Wicket) is a mode of dismissal where the ball would have hit the stumps but instead hits the batsman's leg or body. The ball must pitch in line or outside off stump.
M
Middle Order
The middle order refers to batsmen who bat at positions 4-7 in the batting lineup. They often consolidate or accelerate depending on the match situation.
Maiden Over
A maiden over is an over in which no runs are scored off the bat (excluding extras). It shows excellent bowling control and puts pressure on the batting team.
Mid-off
Mid-off is a fielding position on the off side, slightly forward of the batsman. It covers straight drives on the off side.
Mid-on
Mid-on is a fielding position on the leg side, slightly forward of the batsman. It covers straight drives on the leg side.
N
Not Out
Not out means a batsman remains at the crease without being dismissed when the innings ends. This can happen when the team wins, declares, or loses all other wickets.
Nightwatchman
A nightwatchman is a lower-order batsman sent to bat ahead of better batsmen near the end of a day's play to protect them from getting out.
No Ball
A no ball is an illegal delivery that can occur for various reasons: front foot overstepping the crease, bouncing more than twice, dangerous bowling, or incorrect fielding positions. The batting team gets one extra run plus a free hit in limited-overs cricket.
New Ball
The new ball is taken at the start of each innings and can be taken again after 80 overs in Test cricket. It swings more and bounces higher than an old ball.
Net Run Rate
Net Run Rate (NRR) is used to rank teams with equal points in tournaments. NRR = (runs scored/overs faced) - (runs conceded/overs bowled).
O
Opener
An opener is one of the two batsmen who start the innings. They face the new ball and set the foundation for the team's batting.
Off Spin
Off spin is a type of spin bowling where the ball spins from off to leg (left to right for a right-handed batsman). Off spinners use their fingers to impart spin.
Over
An over is a set of six legal deliveries bowled by a single bowler from one end of the pitch. After each over, the bowling changes to the other end.
ODI
ODI (One Day International) is a limited-overs format where each team bats for 50 overs. It was the dominant format for international cricket before T20.
P
Playing On
Playing on is when a batsman accidentally hits the ball onto their own stumps while attempting a shot, resulting in being bowled out.
Point
Point is a fielding position on the off side, square of the wicket. It covers cut shots and balls played square on the off side.
Powerplay
Powerplay refers to specific overs in limited-overs cricket where fielding restrictions apply. In T20, overs 1-6 are mandatory powerplay with only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
Pitch
The pitch is the 22-yard strip in the center of the field where bowling and batting take place. Pitch conditions greatly affect how the ball behaves.
R
Retired Hurt
A batsman is retired hurt when they leave the field during their innings due to injury or illness. They may return to bat later if fit.
Reverse Swing
Reverse swing is when an old ball moves in the opposite direction to conventional swing. It typically occurs when one side of the ball is rougher than the other.
Run Out
A run out is a mode of dismissal where the fielding team breaks the wicket while the batsman is out of their crease during a run. Either batsman can be run out.
Run Rate
Run rate is the average number of runs scored per over. Current run rate = Total runs / Overs faced. Required run rate = Runs needed / Overs remaining.
S
Silver Duck
A silver duck is when a batsman gets out on the second ball they face without scoring any runs.
Six
A six is scored when the batsman hits the ball over the boundary rope without it bouncing. It is worth 6 runs and is one of the most exciting shots in cricket.
Strike Rate
Strike rate in batting is the number of runs scored per 100 balls faced. It indicates how quickly a batsman scores. Formula: (Runs Scored / Balls Faced) × 100.
Swing
Swing is the lateral movement of the ball through the air. Outswing moves away from the batsman, while inswing moves towards them. Swing is achieved through seam position and air pressure differences.
Seam
Seam bowling involves making the ball deviate off the pitch using the raised seam. Seam movement is different from spin as it relies on the seam hitting the pitch at an angle.
Slower Ball
A slower ball is a delivery bowled at a significantly reduced pace to deceive the batsman who expects a faster delivery. Various grips can be used to bowl slower balls.
Slip
Slip is a fielding position behind the batsman on the off side, close to the wicketkeeper. First slip is closest to the keeper, followed by second slip, third slip, etc.
Silly Point
Silly point is a close-in fielding position on the off side, very close to the batsman. It is a dangerous position used to catch balls that pop up off the bat.
Short Leg
Short leg is a close-in fielding position on the leg side, very close to the batsman. The fielder often wears protective equipment due to the danger from the bat.
Stumping
Stumping is a mode of dismissal where the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket while the batsman is out of their crease after missing or leaving a delivery.
Super Over
A Super Over is a tie-breaker used in limited-overs cricket when a match ends in a tie. Each team bats one over, and the team with more runs wins.
Stumps
Stumps are the three vertical posts that make up the wicket. They are topped by two bails. The stumps are named leg stump, middle stump, and off stump.
T
Tailender
A tailender is a batsman who bats in the lower order (usually positions 8-11) and is primarily a bowler with limited batting skills.
Third Man
Third man is a fielding position on the off side, behind square and close to the boundary. It covers cuts, edges, and late deflections.
Test Match
Test match is the longest format of international cricket, played over five days with each team having two innings. It is considered the pinnacle of cricket.
T20
T20 (Twenty20) is the shortest format of professional cricket where each team bats for 20 overs. It is known for its fast-paced, entertainment-focused style.
Tie
A tie occurs when both teams finish with exactly the same score at the end of the match. In limited-overs, ties may lead to a Super Over.
Toss
The toss is a coin flip before the match where the winning captain chooses whether to bat or field first. The toss can be crucial depending on pitch and weather conditions.
W
Wide
A wide is a delivery that passes too far from the batsman to be reasonably hit. The batting team gets one extra run and the ball must be bowled again. Wide rules are stricter in limited-overs cricket.
Wicketkeeper
The wicketkeeper is the player who stands behind the stumps to catch balls that pass the batsman. They also execute stumpings and can take catches off edges.
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