Cricket Terms - Glossaries
All out
when an innings is ended due to ten of the eleven batsmen on the batting side being either dismissed or unable to bat because of injury or illness.
All-rounder
a player adept at batting and bowling, or batting and wicket-keeping.
Anchor
a top-order batsman capable of batting for a long duration throughout the innings. Usually batsman playing at numbers 3 or 4 play such a role, especially if there is a batting collapse. An anchor plays defensively, and is often the top scorer in the innings.
Appeal
the act of a bowler or fielder shouting at the umpire to ask if his last ball took the batsman's wicket. Usually phrased in the form of howzat (how-was-that?).
Back foot
in a batsman's stance the back foot is the foot that is nearer to the stumps. A bowler's front foot is the last foot to contact the ground before the ball is released. The other foot is the back foot. Unless the bowler is bowling off the wrong foot the bowling foot is the back foot.
Beamer
a delivery that reaches the batsman at around head height without bouncing. Due to the risk of injury to the batsman, a beamer is an illegal delivery, punishable by a no ball being called.
Bowling end
the end of the pitch from where the bowler bowls.
Buffet bowling
bowling of a very poor quality, such that the batsmen is able to "help himself" to runs.
Captain's Innings
a high-scoring individual innings by the captain of the batting team considered to have changed the course of a match.
Chinaman
a left-handed bowler bowling wrist spin (left arm unorthodox). For a right-handed batsman, the ball will move from the off side to the leg side (left to right on the TV screen). Named after Ellis "Puss" Achong, a West Indian left-arm wrist-spin bowler of Chinese descent.
Chuck
to throw the ball instead of bowling it (i.e. by straightening the elbow during the delivery); also chucker: a bowler who chucks; and chucking: such an illegal bowling action.
County cricket
first-class cricket played between counties of a country (particularly England).
Crease
one of several lines on the pitch near the stumps (the "popping crease", the "return crease" and the "bowling crease").
Dead ball
1. the state of play in between deliveries, in which batsmen may not score runs or be given out.
2. called when a delivery bounces twice on the pitch before reaching the batsman.
3. called when the ball becomes lodged in the batsman's clothing or equipment.
4. called when the ball is (or is about to be) bowled when the batsman is not yet ready.
5. called when a bowler aborts his run up without making a delivery.
Dead bat
the bat when held with a light grip such that it gives when the ball strikes it, and the ball loses momentum and falls to the ground.
Delivery
the act of bowling the ball.
Devil's number (also Dreaded number)
a score of 87, regarded as unlucky in Australian cricket. According to Australian superstition, batsmen have a tendency to be dismissed for 87. The superstition is thought to originate from the fact that 87 is 13 runs short of a century. The English equivalent is Nelson.
Diamond duck
a dismissal (for zero) off the first ball of a team's innings (a dismissal off merely the batman's first ball is a golden duck). Also, less commonly, a dismissal for nought (zero), without having faced a ball (usually by being run out). The latter is sometimes referred to as a glass duck. In New Zealand the term for a diamond duck is a "royal golden duck".
Dolly
a very easy catch.
Doosra
a relatively new off spin delivery developed by Saqlain Mushtaq; the off spin equivalent of the googly, in that it turns the "wrong way". From the Hindi or Urdu for second or other.
Duck
a batsman's score of nought (zero), as in "he was out for a duck" or "she hasn't got off her duck yet". Originally called a "duck's egg" because of the "0" shape in the scorebook.
Duckworth-Lewis method
a mathematically based rule that derives a target score for the side batting second in a rain-affected one-day match.
Fall of wicket ("FoW")
the batting team's score at which a batsman gets out
Fast bowling (also pace bowling)
a style of bowling in which the ball is delivered at high speeds, typically over 90 mph (145 km/h). Fast bowlers also use swing.
Fielder
a player on the fielding side who is neither the bowler nor the wicket-keeper, in particular one who has just fielded the ball.
Fifer
five or more wickets taken by a bowler in an innings, considered a very good performance. Abbreviated from the usual form of writing bowling statistics, e.g. a bowler who takes 5 wickets and concedes 117 runs is said to have figures of "5 for 117". Sometimes called a "Michelle", in honour of the actress Michelle Pfeiffer.
Flipper
a leg spin delivery with under-spin, so it bounces lower than normal, invented by Clarrie Grimmett.
Follow on
the team batting second continuing for their second innings, having fallen short of the "follow on target". The definition of this target has changed over time, but is currently 200 runs behind the first teams score in a 5 day game, 150 runs in a 4 day game, 100 runs in a 3 day event and 75 in a single day.
Follow through
a bowler's or batsman's body actions after bowling/batting to stabilise their body.
Front foot
in a batsman's stance the front foot is the foot that is nearer to the bowler. A bowler's front foot is the last foot to contact the ground before the ball is released.
Full toss
a delivery that reaches the batsman on the full, i.e. without bouncing. Usually considered a bad delivery to bowl as the batsman has a lot of time to see the ball and play an attacking shot. Also, it does not have a chance to change direction off the ground, making it the ultimate crime for a spin or seam bowler.
Gardening
a batsman prodding at the pitch with his bat between deliveries, either to flatten a bump in the pitch, to soothe his own frazzled nerves or simply to waste time or upset the rhythm of the bowler. Considered facetious.
Glove
part of a batsman's kit worn to protect the hands from accidental injury. When a hand is in contact with the bat it is considered part of the bat and so a player can be given out caught to a ball that came off the glove hence "gloved a catch."
Golden pair (also King pair)
a dismissal for nought (zero) runs off the first ball faced in both innings of a two-innings match (such as a Test match or other first-class match).
Good length
the ideal place for a stock delivery to pitch in its trajectory from the bowler to the batsman. It makes the batsman uncertain whether to play a front-foot or back-foot shot. A good length differs from bowler to bowler, based on the type and speed of the bowler.
Googly
a deceptive spinning delivery by a leg spin bowler, also known (particularly in Australia) as the wrong 'un. For a right-hander bowler and a right-handed batsman, a googly will turn from the off side to the leg side. Developed by Bosanquet around 1900, and formerly called a bosie or bosey.
Gouging
causing intentional damage to the pitch or ball.
Grafting
batting defensively with strong emphasis on not getting out, often under difficult conditions.
Grip
the rubber casings used on the handle of the bat. The term is also used to describe how the bowler holds the ball and how the batsman holds the bat.
Groundsman
a person responsible for maintaining the cricket field and preparing the pitch.
Gully
a close fielder near the slip fielders. A fielder standing in Gully is on the imaginary straight line that extends from the corner of batter's popping crease (on the on-side) to the middle stump.
Hat-trick
a bowler taking a wicket off each of three consecutive deliveries that he bowls (whether in the same over or split up in two consecutive overs, or two overs in two different spells.).
Hit wicket
a batsman getting out by dislodging the bails of the wicket behind him either with his bat or body as he tries to play the ball.
Hoodoos
A bowler is said to 'have the hoodoos ' on a batsman when they have got them out many times in their career.
Hook
a shot, similar to a pull, but played so that the ball is struck when it is above the batsman's shoulder.
"How's that?" (or "Howzat?")
the cry of a fielding team when appealing, notable because an umpire is not obliged to give the batsman 'out' unless the question is asked.
In-swing
a delivery that curves into the batsman
In-Cutter
a delivery that moves into the batsman after hitting the surface.
Leg before wicket (LBW)
a way of dismissing the batsman. In brief, the batsman is out if, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball hits any part of the batsman's body (usually the leg) before hitting the bat and would have gone on to hit the stumps.
Leg break
a leg spin delivery which, for a right-hander bowler and a right-handed batsman, will turn from the leg side to the off side (usually away from the batsman).
Leg bye
extras taken after a delivery hits any part of the body of the batsman other than the bat or the gloved hand that holds the bat. If the batsman makes no attempt to play the ball with the bat, leg byes may not be scored.
Leg cutter
a break delivery bowled by a fast or medium-pace bowler with similar action to a spin bowler, but at a faster pace. The ball breaks from the leg side to the off side of the batsman.
Leg side
the half of the field to the rear of the batsman as he takes strike (also known as the on side).
Leg spin
a form of bowling in which the bowler imparts spin on the ball by turning the wrist as the ball is delivered, and for that reason also known as "wrist spin". The stock delivery for a leg spinner is a leg break; other leg spin deliveries include the googly, the top spinner, and the flipper. The term leg spinner is usually reserved for right handed bowlers who bowl in this manner. Left handers who bowl with wrist spin are known as unorthodox spinners. The unorthodox spinner's version of the googly is known as the Chinaman.
Limited overs match
a one-innings match where each side may only face a set number of overs. Another name for one-day cricket.
Line and length bowling
bowling so that a delivery pitches on a good length and just outside off stump. This forces the batsman to play a shot as the ball may hit the stumps.
Loosener
a poor delivery bowled at the start of a bowler's spell.
Lower order
the batsmen who bat at between roughly number 7 and 10 or 11 in the batting order and who are not very good at batting, being either specialist bowlers or wicket-keepers with limited batting ability.
Maiden over
an over in which no runs are scored off the bat, and no wides or no balls are bowled.
Match fixing
bribing players of one of the teams to deliberately play poorly, with the intention of cashing in on bets on the result of the game.
Match referee
an official whose role is to ensure that the spirit of the game is upheld. He has the power to fine players and/or teams for unethical play.
Medium-pace
a bowler who bowls slower than a pace bowler, but faster than a spin bowler. Speed is important to the medium-pacer, but they try and defeat the batsman with the movement of the ball, rather than the pace at which it is bowled. Medium-pacers either bowl cutters or rely on the ball to swing in the air. They usually bowl at about 55-70 mph (90-110 km/h).
Middle of the bat
the area of the face of the bat that imparts maximum power to a shot if that part of the bat hits the ball. Also known as the "meat" of the bat. Effectively the same as the sweet spot; however, a shot that has been "middled" usually means one that is hit with great power as well as timing.
Mis-field
a fielder failing to collect the ball cleanly, often fumbling the ball or dropping a catch.
Negative bowling
a persistent line of bowling down the leg-side of a batsman to stymie the batsman from scoring (particularly in Test matches).
Nelson
a score of 111, either of a team or an individual batsman, regarded by some as unlucky; the superstitious custom is for the batting team off the pitch (and umpire David Shepherd) each to take one foot off the ground. The name was coined in the mistaken belief that Lord Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg: in fact, he had two legs. Double-Nelson is 222, etc.
Nervous nineties
the period of batsman's innings when his or her score is between 90 and 99. During this phase many players bat extremely cautiously in order to avoid being out before they obtain a century.
Nets
pitch surrounded on three sides by netting, used by for practice by batsman and bowler
Nightwatchman
a lower order batsman sent in when the light is dimming to play out the remaining overs of the day (in a Test Match) in order to protect more valuable batsmen.
Non-striker
the batsman standing at the bowling end.
One-day International (ODI)
a match between two national sides limited to 50 overs per innings, played over at most one day.
Off side
the half of the pitch furthest from the batsman's body as he takes strike - i.e. the right half for a right-handed batsman and the left for a left-hander.
Off spin
a form of bowling in which the bowler imparts spin on the ball with the fingers as the ball is delivered, and for that reason also known as "finger spin". The usual stock delivery for an off spinner is an off break, but other off spin deliveries includes the arm ball and the doosra. The term off spinner is usually reserved for right handed bowlers who bowl in this manner. Left handers are described as orthodox or unorthodox.
On side
the half of the pitch nearest the batsman's body as he takes strike i.e. the left half for a right-handed batsman and the right for a left-hander (also known as the leg side).
One down
a batsman who bats at #3, a crucial position in the team's batting innings.
Opener
1. a batsman skilled at batting at the beginning of an innings, when the ball is new.
2. one of the bowlers who open the innings, usually the fastest bowlers in the side.
Outfield
the part of the field lying outside the 30 yard (27 m) circle measured from the centre of the pitch.
Over
the delivery of six consecutive balls by one bowler.
Over the wicket
a right-handed bowler bowling to the left of the stumps, and vice-versa for a left-handed bowler.
Overarm
the action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body over the head, releasing the ball on the down swing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is the only type allowed in all official cricket matches. Compare with underarm.
Overthrows also buzzers
the scoring of extra runs due to an errant throw from a fielder. Occasionally used erroneously for any runs scored after a fielder mis-fields the ball.
Pads
protective equipment for batsmen and wicket-keepers, covering the legs.
Perfume ball
a bouncer on or just outside off-stump that passes within inches of the batsman's face. So called because the ball is supposedly close enough to the batsman's face that he can smell it.
Pie Chucker
A poor bowler, usually of slow to medium pace whose deliveries are flighted so much as to appear similar to a pie in the air. Considered easy to score off by batsmen
Pinch-hitter
a lower order batsman promoted up the batting order to increase the run rate. The term is borrowed from baseball.
Point of release
the position of the bowler at the moment when the ball is released.
Powerplay Fives
the two blocks of five overs in an ODI which the fielding captain must designate as being subject by fielding restrictions. This applies for a series of three ODIs between England and Australia starting on 7 July 2005 and for a 10-month trial period beginning on 31 July 2005.
Pro20
South African form of twenty20
Pull
a shot played to the leg side to a short-pitched delivery, between mid-wicket and backward square-leg.
Quota
the total number of overs (maximum 10) allotted to a bowler in an ODI match. Typically total overs in the innings divided by 5, rounded to next highest integer.
Reverse Sweep
a right handed batsman sweeping the ball like a left handed batsman and vice-versa.
Reverse swing
the art of swinging the ball contrary to how a conventionally swung ball moves in the air; i.e. movement away from the rough side. Many theories as to how this may occur. Usually happens with an older ball than conventional swing, but not always, atmospheric conditions and bowler skill also being important factors. It has been espoused that once the 'rough' side becomes extremely rough a similar effect to that of a dimpled golf ball may cause it to move more quickly through the air than the 'shiny' side of the ball.
Run out
dismissal by a member of the fielding side breaking the wicket while the batsman is outside his/her crease in the process of making a run.
Run rate
the average number of runs scored per over.
Runner
a player of the batting side assisting an injured batsman in running between the wickets. The runner must wear and carry the same equipment and both the injured batsman and the runner can be run out, the injured batsman having to stay in his ground.
Seam bowling
a bowling style which uses the uneven conditions of the ball -- specifically the raised seam -- to make it deviate upon bouncing off the pitch. Contrast with swing bowling.
Selector
a person who is delegated with the task of choosing players for a cricket team. Typically the term is used in the context of player selection for national, provincial and other representative teams at the professional levels of the game, where a "panel of selectors" acts under the authority of the relevant national or provincial cricket administrative body.
Shooter
a delivery that skids after pitching (i.e. doesn't bounce as high as would be expected), usually at a quicker pace, resulting in a batsman unable to hit the ball cleanly.
Short-pitched
a delivery that bounces relatively close to the bowler. The intent is to make the ball bounce well above waist height (a bouncer). A slow or low-bouncing short-pitched ball is known as a long hop.
Sight-screen
a large board placed behind the bowler, beyond the boundary, used to provide contrast to the ball, thereby aiding the striker in seeing the ball when it is delivered.
Silly
a modifier to the names of some fielding positions to denote that they are unusually close to the batsman, most often silly mid-off, silly mid-on, silly midwicket and silly point.
Sledging
verbal abuse in simple terms, or a psychological tactic in more complex terms. Used by cricketers both on and off the field to gain advantage of the opposition by frustrating them and breaking the concentration of the opposition. Considered in some cricketing countries to be against the spirit of the game, although occasional sledging remains common.
Slip
a close fielder behind the batsman, next to the wicket-keeper on the off-side. There can be as many as four slips for a faster bowler.
Slog
a powerful shot, usually hit in the air in an attempt to score a six, often without too much concern for proper technique.
Slog overs
the final 10 overs (particularly the last five) in a ODI match during which batsmen play aggressively scoring at a very high rate.
Stance (also batting stance)
the posture of a batsman holding his bat when facing a delivery.
Sticky wicket
a difficult wet pitch.
Strike
the position as batsman, as opposed to non striker. Often, 'Keep [the] strike', to arrange runs on the last ball of an over so as to face the first ball of the next, 'Shepherd the Strike', to keep dong this to protect a less skillfull batsman.
Strike bowler
an attacking bowler whose role is to take wickets rather than to restrict scoring. Usually a fast bowler or attacking spinner who bowls in short spells to attacking field settings.
Strike rate
1. (batting) a percentage equal to the number of runs scored by a batsman divided by the number of balls faced.
2. (bowling) the average number of deliveries bowled before a bowler takes a wicket.
Stump
1. one of the three vertical posts making up the wicket ("off stump", "middle stump" and "leg stump");
2. a way of dismissing a batsman; or
3. ("stumps") the end of a day's play.
Sundry (also extra)
a run not attributed to any batsman, such as a bye, wide or no-ball.
Supersub
under experimental one-day international rules introduced in July 2005, any player may be substituted for the twelfth man, with the substitute able to take over the substituted players batting and bowling duties. A twelfth man used as a substitute in this way is known as the supersub. The first supersub was Vikram Solanki, named as a supersub for Simon Jones at Headingley on 7 July 2005. However, as Solanki replaced Jones after England had bowled, and England only lost one wicket in chasing down Australia's target, Solanki did not get to play any part in the game. The ICC cancelled the experiment in February 2006.
Swing
a bowling style usually employed by fast and medium-pace bowlers. The fielding side will polish the ball on one side of the seam only; as the innings continues, the ball will become worn on one side, but shiny on the other. When the ball is bowled with the seam upright, the air will travel faster over the shiny side than the worn side. This makes the ball swing (curve) in the air. Conventional swing would mean that the ball curves in the air away from the shiny side. (see reverse swing).
Tail-ender
a batsman who bats towards the end of the batting order, usually a specialist bowler or wicket-keeper with relatively poor batting skills. The last of the tail-enders are colloquially known as "rabbits".
Test match
a cricket match with play spread over five days with unlimited overs played between two senior international teams. Considered the highest level of the game.
Third umpire
an off-field umpire, equipped with a television monitor, whose assistance the two on-field umpires can seek when in doubt.
Tie
the (very rare) result in which the two teams' scores are equal and the team batting last is all out. Not to be confused with a draw, in which the scores are not equal.
Trundler
a reliable, steady medium-pace bowler who is not especially good, but is not especially bad either.
Twelfth man
Traditionally, the first substitute player who fields when a member of the fielding side is injured. In Test matches, twelve players are named to a team prior to the match, with the final reduction to eleven occurring immediately prior to play commencing on the first day. This gives the captain some flexibility in team selection, dependent on the conditions (e.g. a spin bowler may be named to the team, but omitted if the captain feels that the pitch is not suitable for spin bowling).
Twenty20
a new, fast paced, form of cricket limited to twenty overs per innings, plus some other rules changes, specifically designed to broaden the appeal of the game.
Umpire
one of the two (or three) enforcers of the rules and adjudicators of play.
Underarm
the action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body in a downswing arc and then releasing the ball on the up swing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is now illegal in formal cricket, but commonly played in informal types of cricket. Compare with overarm.
Wag
when tail-enders score more runs than they were expected to (the tail wagged).
Wagon wheel
a pie chart modelled on the cricket ground, depicting a batsman's favourite scoring areas.
Wicket-keeper
the player on the fielding side who stands immediately behind the batting end wicket. A specialist position, used throughout the game.
Wicket-to-wicket
an imaginary line connecting the two wickets.
Wide
a delivery that passes illegally wide of the wicket, scoring an extra for the batting side. A wide does not count as one of the six valid deliveries that must be made in each over - an extra ball must be bowled for each wide.
Windy Wush
when a batsman, usually a tail-ender, swings greatly and misses the ball completely.
Yorker
a (usually fast) delivery that is pitched very close to the batsman. The intent is for it to bounce exactly underneath his bat or on his toes, in the block hole. A perfectly-pitched fast yorker is almost impossible to keep out; a bad yorker can turn into a half-volley (too short) or a full toss (too full).
when an innings is ended due to ten of the eleven batsmen on the batting side being either dismissed or unable to bat because of injury or illness.
All-rounder
a player adept at batting and bowling, or batting and wicket-keeping.
Anchor
a top-order batsman capable of batting for a long duration throughout the innings. Usually batsman playing at numbers 3 or 4 play such a role, especially if there is a batting collapse. An anchor plays defensively, and is often the top scorer in the innings.
Appeal
the act of a bowler or fielder shouting at the umpire to ask if his last ball took the batsman's wicket. Usually phrased in the form of howzat (how-was-that?).
Back foot
in a batsman's stance the back foot is the foot that is nearer to the stumps. A bowler's front foot is the last foot to contact the ground before the ball is released. The other foot is the back foot. Unless the bowler is bowling off the wrong foot the bowling foot is the back foot.
Beamer
a delivery that reaches the batsman at around head height without bouncing. Due to the risk of injury to the batsman, a beamer is an illegal delivery, punishable by a no ball being called.
Bowling end
the end of the pitch from where the bowler bowls.
Buffet bowling
bowling of a very poor quality, such that the batsmen is able to "help himself" to runs.
Captain's Innings
a high-scoring individual innings by the captain of the batting team considered to have changed the course of a match.
Chinaman
a left-handed bowler bowling wrist spin (left arm unorthodox). For a right-handed batsman, the ball will move from the off side to the leg side (left to right on the TV screen). Named after Ellis "Puss" Achong, a West Indian left-arm wrist-spin bowler of Chinese descent.
Chuck
to throw the ball instead of bowling it (i.e. by straightening the elbow during the delivery); also chucker: a bowler who chucks; and chucking: such an illegal bowling action.
County cricket
first-class cricket played between counties of a country (particularly England).
Crease
one of several lines on the pitch near the stumps (the "popping crease", the "return crease" and the "bowling crease").
Dead ball
1. the state of play in between deliveries, in which batsmen may not score runs or be given out.
2. called when a delivery bounces twice on the pitch before reaching the batsman.
3. called when the ball becomes lodged in the batsman's clothing or equipment.
4. called when the ball is (or is about to be) bowled when the batsman is not yet ready.
5. called when a bowler aborts his run up without making a delivery.
Dead bat
the bat when held with a light grip such that it gives when the ball strikes it, and the ball loses momentum and falls to the ground.
Delivery
the act of bowling the ball.
Devil's number (also Dreaded number)
a score of 87, regarded as unlucky in Australian cricket. According to Australian superstition, batsmen have a tendency to be dismissed for 87. The superstition is thought to originate from the fact that 87 is 13 runs short of a century. The English equivalent is Nelson.
Diamond duck
a dismissal (for zero) off the first ball of a team's innings (a dismissal off merely the batman's first ball is a golden duck). Also, less commonly, a dismissal for nought (zero), without having faced a ball (usually by being run out). The latter is sometimes referred to as a glass duck. In New Zealand the term for a diamond duck is a "royal golden duck".
Dolly
a very easy catch.
Doosra
a relatively new off spin delivery developed by Saqlain Mushtaq; the off spin equivalent of the googly, in that it turns the "wrong way". From the Hindi or Urdu for second or other.
Duck
a batsman's score of nought (zero), as in "he was out for a duck" or "she hasn't got off her duck yet". Originally called a "duck's egg" because of the "0" shape in the scorebook.
Duckworth-Lewis method
a mathematically based rule that derives a target score for the side batting second in a rain-affected one-day match.
Fall of wicket ("FoW")
the batting team's score at which a batsman gets out
Fast bowling (also pace bowling)
a style of bowling in which the ball is delivered at high speeds, typically over 90 mph (145 km/h). Fast bowlers also use swing.
Fielder
a player on the fielding side who is neither the bowler nor the wicket-keeper, in particular one who has just fielded the ball.
Fifer
five or more wickets taken by a bowler in an innings, considered a very good performance. Abbreviated from the usual form of writing bowling statistics, e.g. a bowler who takes 5 wickets and concedes 117 runs is said to have figures of "5 for 117". Sometimes called a "Michelle", in honour of the actress Michelle Pfeiffer.
Flipper
a leg spin delivery with under-spin, so it bounces lower than normal, invented by Clarrie Grimmett.
Follow on
the team batting second continuing for their second innings, having fallen short of the "follow on target". The definition of this target has changed over time, but is currently 200 runs behind the first teams score in a 5 day game, 150 runs in a 4 day game, 100 runs in a 3 day event and 75 in a single day.
Follow through
a bowler's or batsman's body actions after bowling/batting to stabilise their body.
Front foot
in a batsman's stance the front foot is the foot that is nearer to the bowler. A bowler's front foot is the last foot to contact the ground before the ball is released.
Full toss
a delivery that reaches the batsman on the full, i.e. without bouncing. Usually considered a bad delivery to bowl as the batsman has a lot of time to see the ball and play an attacking shot. Also, it does not have a chance to change direction off the ground, making it the ultimate crime for a spin or seam bowler.
Gardening
a batsman prodding at the pitch with his bat between deliveries, either to flatten a bump in the pitch, to soothe his own frazzled nerves or simply to waste time or upset the rhythm of the bowler. Considered facetious.
Glove
part of a batsman's kit worn to protect the hands from accidental injury. When a hand is in contact with the bat it is considered part of the bat and so a player can be given out caught to a ball that came off the glove hence "gloved a catch."
Golden pair (also King pair)
a dismissal for nought (zero) runs off the first ball faced in both innings of a two-innings match (such as a Test match or other first-class match).
Good length
the ideal place for a stock delivery to pitch in its trajectory from the bowler to the batsman. It makes the batsman uncertain whether to play a front-foot or back-foot shot. A good length differs from bowler to bowler, based on the type and speed of the bowler.
Googly
a deceptive spinning delivery by a leg spin bowler, also known (particularly in Australia) as the wrong 'un. For a right-hander bowler and a right-handed batsman, a googly will turn from the off side to the leg side. Developed by Bosanquet around 1900, and formerly called a bosie or bosey.
Gouging
causing intentional damage to the pitch or ball.
Grafting
batting defensively with strong emphasis on not getting out, often under difficult conditions.
Grip
the rubber casings used on the handle of the bat. The term is also used to describe how the bowler holds the ball and how the batsman holds the bat.
Groundsman
a person responsible for maintaining the cricket field and preparing the pitch.
Gully
a close fielder near the slip fielders. A fielder standing in Gully is on the imaginary straight line that extends from the corner of batter's popping crease (on the on-side) to the middle stump.
Hat-trick
a bowler taking a wicket off each of three consecutive deliveries that he bowls (whether in the same over or split up in two consecutive overs, or two overs in two different spells.).
Hit wicket
a batsman getting out by dislodging the bails of the wicket behind him either with his bat or body as he tries to play the ball.
Hoodoos
A bowler is said to 'have the hoodoos ' on a batsman when they have got them out many times in their career.
Hook
a shot, similar to a pull, but played so that the ball is struck when it is above the batsman's shoulder.
"How's that?" (or "Howzat?")
the cry of a fielding team when appealing, notable because an umpire is not obliged to give the batsman 'out' unless the question is asked.
In-swing
a delivery that curves into the batsman
In-Cutter
a delivery that moves into the batsman after hitting the surface.
Leg before wicket (LBW)
a way of dismissing the batsman. In brief, the batsman is out if, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball hits any part of the batsman's body (usually the leg) before hitting the bat and would have gone on to hit the stumps.
Leg break
a leg spin delivery which, for a right-hander bowler and a right-handed batsman, will turn from the leg side to the off side (usually away from the batsman).
Leg bye
extras taken after a delivery hits any part of the body of the batsman other than the bat or the gloved hand that holds the bat. If the batsman makes no attempt to play the ball with the bat, leg byes may not be scored.
Leg cutter
a break delivery bowled by a fast or medium-pace bowler with similar action to a spin bowler, but at a faster pace. The ball breaks from the leg side to the off side of the batsman.
Leg side
the half of the field to the rear of the batsman as he takes strike (also known as the on side).
Leg spin
a form of bowling in which the bowler imparts spin on the ball by turning the wrist as the ball is delivered, and for that reason also known as "wrist spin". The stock delivery for a leg spinner is a leg break; other leg spin deliveries include the googly, the top spinner, and the flipper. The term leg spinner is usually reserved for right handed bowlers who bowl in this manner. Left handers who bowl with wrist spin are known as unorthodox spinners. The unorthodox spinner's version of the googly is known as the Chinaman.
Limited overs match
a one-innings match where each side may only face a set number of overs. Another name for one-day cricket.
Line and length bowling
bowling so that a delivery pitches on a good length and just outside off stump. This forces the batsman to play a shot as the ball may hit the stumps.
Loosener
a poor delivery bowled at the start of a bowler's spell.
Lower order
the batsmen who bat at between roughly number 7 and 10 or 11 in the batting order and who are not very good at batting, being either specialist bowlers or wicket-keepers with limited batting ability.
Maiden over
an over in which no runs are scored off the bat, and no wides or no balls are bowled.
Match fixing
bribing players of one of the teams to deliberately play poorly, with the intention of cashing in on bets on the result of the game.
Match referee
an official whose role is to ensure that the spirit of the game is upheld. He has the power to fine players and/or teams for unethical play.
Medium-pace
a bowler who bowls slower than a pace bowler, but faster than a spin bowler. Speed is important to the medium-pacer, but they try and defeat the batsman with the movement of the ball, rather than the pace at which it is bowled. Medium-pacers either bowl cutters or rely on the ball to swing in the air. They usually bowl at about 55-70 mph (90-110 km/h).
Middle of the bat
the area of the face of the bat that imparts maximum power to a shot if that part of the bat hits the ball. Also known as the "meat" of the bat. Effectively the same as the sweet spot; however, a shot that has been "middled" usually means one that is hit with great power as well as timing.
Mis-field
a fielder failing to collect the ball cleanly, often fumbling the ball or dropping a catch.
Negative bowling
a persistent line of bowling down the leg-side of a batsman to stymie the batsman from scoring (particularly in Test matches).
Nelson
a score of 111, either of a team or an individual batsman, regarded by some as unlucky; the superstitious custom is for the batting team off the pitch (and umpire David Shepherd) each to take one foot off the ground. The name was coined in the mistaken belief that Lord Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg: in fact, he had two legs. Double-Nelson is 222, etc.
Nervous nineties
the period of batsman's innings when his or her score is between 90 and 99. During this phase many players bat extremely cautiously in order to avoid being out before they obtain a century.
Nets
pitch surrounded on three sides by netting, used by for practice by batsman and bowler
Nightwatchman
a lower order batsman sent in when the light is dimming to play out the remaining overs of the day (in a Test Match) in order to protect more valuable batsmen.
Non-striker
the batsman standing at the bowling end.
One-day International (ODI)
a match between two national sides limited to 50 overs per innings, played over at most one day.
Off side
the half of the pitch furthest from the batsman's body as he takes strike - i.e. the right half for a right-handed batsman and the left for a left-hander.
Off spin
a form of bowling in which the bowler imparts spin on the ball with the fingers as the ball is delivered, and for that reason also known as "finger spin". The usual stock delivery for an off spinner is an off break, but other off spin deliveries includes the arm ball and the doosra. The term off spinner is usually reserved for right handed bowlers who bowl in this manner. Left handers are described as orthodox or unorthodox.
On side
the half of the pitch nearest the batsman's body as he takes strike i.e. the left half for a right-handed batsman and the right for a left-hander (also known as the leg side).
One down
a batsman who bats at #3, a crucial position in the team's batting innings.
Opener
1. a batsman skilled at batting at the beginning of an innings, when the ball is new.
2. one of the bowlers who open the innings, usually the fastest bowlers in the side.
Outfield
the part of the field lying outside the 30 yard (27 m) circle measured from the centre of the pitch.
Over
the delivery of six consecutive balls by one bowler.
Over the wicket
a right-handed bowler bowling to the left of the stumps, and vice-versa for a left-handed bowler.
Overarm
the action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body over the head, releasing the ball on the down swing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is the only type allowed in all official cricket matches. Compare with underarm.
Overthrows also buzzers
the scoring of extra runs due to an errant throw from a fielder. Occasionally used erroneously for any runs scored after a fielder mis-fields the ball.
Pads
protective equipment for batsmen and wicket-keepers, covering the legs.
Perfume ball
a bouncer on or just outside off-stump that passes within inches of the batsman's face. So called because the ball is supposedly close enough to the batsman's face that he can smell it.
Pie Chucker
A poor bowler, usually of slow to medium pace whose deliveries are flighted so much as to appear similar to a pie in the air. Considered easy to score off by batsmen
Pinch-hitter
a lower order batsman promoted up the batting order to increase the run rate. The term is borrowed from baseball.
Point of release
the position of the bowler at the moment when the ball is released.
Powerplay Fives
the two blocks of five overs in an ODI which the fielding captain must designate as being subject by fielding restrictions. This applies for a series of three ODIs between England and Australia starting on 7 July 2005 and for a 10-month trial period beginning on 31 July 2005.
Pro20
South African form of twenty20
Pull
a shot played to the leg side to a short-pitched delivery, between mid-wicket and backward square-leg.
Quota
the total number of overs (maximum 10) allotted to a bowler in an ODI match. Typically total overs in the innings divided by 5, rounded to next highest integer.
Reverse Sweep
a right handed batsman sweeping the ball like a left handed batsman and vice-versa.
Reverse swing
the art of swinging the ball contrary to how a conventionally swung ball moves in the air; i.e. movement away from the rough side. Many theories as to how this may occur. Usually happens with an older ball than conventional swing, but not always, atmospheric conditions and bowler skill also being important factors. It has been espoused that once the 'rough' side becomes extremely rough a similar effect to that of a dimpled golf ball may cause it to move more quickly through the air than the 'shiny' side of the ball.
Run out
dismissal by a member of the fielding side breaking the wicket while the batsman is outside his/her crease in the process of making a run.
Run rate
the average number of runs scored per over.
Runner
a player of the batting side assisting an injured batsman in running between the wickets. The runner must wear and carry the same equipment and both the injured batsman and the runner can be run out, the injured batsman having to stay in his ground.
Seam bowling
a bowling style which uses the uneven conditions of the ball -- specifically the raised seam -- to make it deviate upon bouncing off the pitch. Contrast with swing bowling.
Selector
a person who is delegated with the task of choosing players for a cricket team. Typically the term is used in the context of player selection for national, provincial and other representative teams at the professional levels of the game, where a "panel of selectors" acts under the authority of the relevant national or provincial cricket administrative body.
Shooter
a delivery that skids after pitching (i.e. doesn't bounce as high as would be expected), usually at a quicker pace, resulting in a batsman unable to hit the ball cleanly.
Short-pitched
a delivery that bounces relatively close to the bowler. The intent is to make the ball bounce well above waist height (a bouncer). A slow or low-bouncing short-pitched ball is known as a long hop.
Sight-screen
a large board placed behind the bowler, beyond the boundary, used to provide contrast to the ball, thereby aiding the striker in seeing the ball when it is delivered.
Silly
a modifier to the names of some fielding positions to denote that they are unusually close to the batsman, most often silly mid-off, silly mid-on, silly midwicket and silly point.
Sledging
verbal abuse in simple terms, or a psychological tactic in more complex terms. Used by cricketers both on and off the field to gain advantage of the opposition by frustrating them and breaking the concentration of the opposition. Considered in some cricketing countries to be against the spirit of the game, although occasional sledging remains common.
Slip
a close fielder behind the batsman, next to the wicket-keeper on the off-side. There can be as many as four slips for a faster bowler.
Slog
a powerful shot, usually hit in the air in an attempt to score a six, often without too much concern for proper technique.
Slog overs
the final 10 overs (particularly the last five) in a ODI match during which batsmen play aggressively scoring at a very high rate.
Stance (also batting stance)
the posture of a batsman holding his bat when facing a delivery.
Sticky wicket
a difficult wet pitch.
Strike
the position as batsman, as opposed to non striker. Often, 'Keep [the] strike', to arrange runs on the last ball of an over so as to face the first ball of the next, 'Shepherd the Strike', to keep dong this to protect a less skillfull batsman.
Strike bowler
an attacking bowler whose role is to take wickets rather than to restrict scoring. Usually a fast bowler or attacking spinner who bowls in short spells to attacking field settings.
Strike rate
1. (batting) a percentage equal to the number of runs scored by a batsman divided by the number of balls faced.
2. (bowling) the average number of deliveries bowled before a bowler takes a wicket.
Stump
1. one of the three vertical posts making up the wicket ("off stump", "middle stump" and "leg stump");
2. a way of dismissing a batsman; or
3. ("stumps") the end of a day's play.
Sundry (also extra)
a run not attributed to any batsman, such as a bye, wide or no-ball.
Supersub
under experimental one-day international rules introduced in July 2005, any player may be substituted for the twelfth man, with the substitute able to take over the substituted players batting and bowling duties. A twelfth man used as a substitute in this way is known as the supersub. The first supersub was Vikram Solanki, named as a supersub for Simon Jones at Headingley on 7 July 2005. However, as Solanki replaced Jones after England had bowled, and England only lost one wicket in chasing down Australia's target, Solanki did not get to play any part in the game. The ICC cancelled the experiment in February 2006.
Swing
a bowling style usually employed by fast and medium-pace bowlers. The fielding side will polish the ball on one side of the seam only; as the innings continues, the ball will become worn on one side, but shiny on the other. When the ball is bowled with the seam upright, the air will travel faster over the shiny side than the worn side. This makes the ball swing (curve) in the air. Conventional swing would mean that the ball curves in the air away from the shiny side. (see reverse swing).
Tail-ender
a batsman who bats towards the end of the batting order, usually a specialist bowler or wicket-keeper with relatively poor batting skills. The last of the tail-enders are colloquially known as "rabbits".
Test match
a cricket match with play spread over five days with unlimited overs played between two senior international teams. Considered the highest level of the game.
Third umpire
an off-field umpire, equipped with a television monitor, whose assistance the two on-field umpires can seek when in doubt.
Tie
the (very rare) result in which the two teams' scores are equal and the team batting last is all out. Not to be confused with a draw, in which the scores are not equal.
Trundler
a reliable, steady medium-pace bowler who is not especially good, but is not especially bad either.
Twelfth man
Traditionally, the first substitute player who fields when a member of the fielding side is injured. In Test matches, twelve players are named to a team prior to the match, with the final reduction to eleven occurring immediately prior to play commencing on the first day. This gives the captain some flexibility in team selection, dependent on the conditions (e.g. a spin bowler may be named to the team, but omitted if the captain feels that the pitch is not suitable for spin bowling).
Twenty20
a new, fast paced, form of cricket limited to twenty overs per innings, plus some other rules changes, specifically designed to broaden the appeal of the game.
Umpire
one of the two (or three) enforcers of the rules and adjudicators of play.
Underarm
the action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body in a downswing arc and then releasing the ball on the up swing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is now illegal in formal cricket, but commonly played in informal types of cricket. Compare with overarm.
Wag
when tail-enders score more runs than they were expected to (the tail wagged).
Wagon wheel
a pie chart modelled on the cricket ground, depicting a batsman's favourite scoring areas.
Wicket-keeper
the player on the fielding side who stands immediately behind the batting end wicket. A specialist position, used throughout the game.
Wicket-to-wicket
an imaginary line connecting the two wickets.
Wide
a delivery that passes illegally wide of the wicket, scoring an extra for the batting side. A wide does not count as one of the six valid deliveries that must be made in each over - an extra ball must be bowled for each wide.
Windy Wush
when a batsman, usually a tail-ender, swings greatly and misses the ball completely.
Yorker
a (usually fast) delivery that is pitched very close to the batsman. The intent is for it to bounce exactly underneath his bat or on his toes, in the block hole. A perfectly-pitched fast yorker is almost impossible to keep out; a bad yorker can turn into a half-volley (too short) or a full toss (too full).
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