Glossary of cricket

Fielding positions in cricket.

This is a glossary of terms used in the sport of cricket. It assumes that the reader has at least a basic knowledge of the game. Newcomers should read the main subject article first. Many of the entries describe fielding positions which, for ease of understanding, should also be located in the schematic diagram displayed right (see also Fielding).

A

All out

Ten members of the batting team have been dismissed (one man remains "not out") and the innings terminates at that point.

All-rounder

A player who is proficient in both batting and bowling.

The majority of players are specialists in one discipline. The all-rounder typically bats in the middle of the batting order. Depending on whether he has greater utility in one skill than the other, he may be termed a "batting all-rounder" or a "bowling all-rounder". Some players with equal utility are considered "genuine all-rounders". There have been many famous all-rounders including W. G. Grace, Gary Sobers, Wilfred Rhodes, Keith Miller and Richard Hadlee.

Amateur

While the word suggests someone who plays for fun in his spare time, for over 200 years the amateur in English cricket was a specific type of full-time player who theoretically played only for his out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and accommodation. In reality, there was considerable abuse of the principle, especially by the Grace brothers, and the term "shamateur" was coined. It was said of W. G. Grace that he made more money out of cricket than any professional.

In the Gentlemen v Players match, the Gentlemen were amateurs and the Players were professionals. There was an unabashed social class distinction in this and amateurism, along with the fixture, was finally abolished in 1962. All first-class players are now professional and the word "amateur" is applied to weekend players only.

Analysis

A statistical summary of a bowler's performance in an innings. If he bowled twelve overs with three maidens and took four wickets for 27 runs, it is recorded as 12–3–27–4 in scorecards.

Appeal

Most usually associated with the "Owzat!" call to the umpire which is made by the bowler and other fielders when they believe the batsman should be given out. In fact, it is a request by any player to an umpire for a decision on anything that may affect play: for example, an appeal by a batsman for play to be suspended because of poor light.

Arm ball

Also called "going with the arm". Usually relates to a spin bowler who, instead of spinning the ball, delivers it straight so that there is no deviation after pitching. The tactic is a deceptive move by the bowler to entice the batsman into making a mistake. It is so-called because the ball goes in the direction of the arm as a continuation of the bowler's follow-through.

"Ashes"

The "Ashes" is the name given to the prize at stake in any Test series between Australia and England. After Australia defeated England in 1882, the Sporting Times newspaper printed a mock obituary lamenting the death of English cricket and including the message that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". In the next Australian season, England captain Ivo Bligh said he was going to "recover those ashes" and, after his team won the deciding match, some ladies burned a bail and presented its ashes to him in a small urn that Bligh eventually bequeathed to MCC. It is in the museum at Lord's and is the supposed trophy for which Australia and England always play (there is now a replica trophy which is presented to the winning captain for publicity purposes).

Asking rate

In a run-chase situation, especially the closing stages of a limited overs match, the runs per over needed by the side batting last to achieve their target and win the match.

Averages

Batting average is the mean number of runs scored by a batsman per innings and is calculated by dividing his total number of runs scored by the number of completed (excluding not out) innings he has played through the period under consideration (e.g., series, season, career). Bowling average is the mean cost of runs conceded by a bowler per wicket taken and is calculated by dividing the total runs conceded by the number of wickets taken, again by period.

B

Back spin

An under-spin of the ball by the bowler who wants it to come more slowly off the pitch.

Backing up

Can refer to a fielder who supports one of his colleagues, usually by getting into position to prevent an overthrow. It also refers to the non-striker moving forward from his territory as the bowler delivers the ball so that he effectively shortens the distance he will have to run, if necessary.

Backward point

Infield position, about ten o'clock, on the off side about halfway to the boundary. It is the area behind gully and between point and short third man. Directly facing backward square leg on the on side. About ten o'clock infield.

Bail

There are two bails on each wicket, laid horizontally along the top. They must not project more than half an inch above the top of the stumps and so the maximum height of the wicket is 28.5 inches.

Ball

The casing is made of hand-stitched leather built around a cork interior wound with twine. As such, it is rock-hard and a very dangerous projectile. In men's cricket, it weighs 5.5 ounces; in women's cricket, 5 ounces. The circumference is nine inches. Balls are dyed red for first-class and club cricket, white for limited overs.

Ball Tampering

An illegal action which seeks to change the condition of the ball by artificial means. No substance other than sweat or saliva may be applied to the ball. Deliberate scuffing of the surface and attempting to raise the seam of the ball are banned.

Barracking

Loud disparaging comments by spectators who are dissatisfied with the play, such as when a fielder drops a catch or when a batsmen is thought to be playing too defensively.

Bat

The blade is made of willow and must not exceed 4.25 inches in width. The handle is made of cane layered with thin strips of rubber and bound with twine. The whole handle is encased in a rubber sheath. The maximum length of the whole bat is 38 inches. There is no actual weight limit but they tend to weigh two to three pounds, though some players like Clive Lloyd have favoured a "heavy bat" weighing four pounds.

Bat-pad

Means that the ball has struck both bat and pad. If a fielder catches it on the full, it is called a bat-pad catch.

Batsman, batting

Two members of the batting team are on the pitch when play is in progress. The one facing the bowler is called the striker and his colleague at the bowler's end is the non-striker. Batsmen are classified by hand so RHB means right-handed batsman and LHB means left-handed batsman.

Batting average

Go to Average.

Batting gloves

Tight fitting leather or fabric gloves which are strongly padded at the back, traditionally with tubular rubber. They are an essential item of protective gear worn by the batsman.

Batting order

The team captain decides, before the match begins, the order in which his team members will bat from one to eleven. The specialist batsmen invariably occupy the first five or six positions. The order is announced before start of play but it is not fixed and the captain can change it at any time.

Beamer

An illegal fast delivery which does not bounce and, if it goes close to the batsman's head, is considered very dangerous. It is banned by Law 41 and the umpire must call it a no ball under Law 21.

Behind square

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Basically, any fielding position in the diagram which is above a line drawn from deep point through the striker's "popping crease" to deep square leg. The area includes the "point", "fine" and "leg" sectors of the field.

Bodyline

Also known as "leg theory", a controversial and now illegal tactic utilised by England captain Douglas Jardine in the 1932–33 Test series in Australia. It involved the bowler aiming at the batsman's body so that he would use the bat awkwardly to defend himself and potentially give a catch to a ring of close fielders on the leg side.

Bosie

The Australian term for the googly, named after the delivery's originator, B. J. T. Bosanquet. It is an off-break bowled with a leg-break action.

Bouncer, bumper

A short-pitched fast delivery which reaches the batsman chest- or head-high. It is intended to discomfit him and either take evasive action or play a cross-bat shot like the hook which he might mistime and so be caught out.

Boundary

The perimeter of the playing area, often marked out by a rope laid along the ground. A shot for four runs is often called a boundary.

Bowled

A common means of dismissal; the bowler has hit the wicket with the ball and the wicket has "broken" with at least one bail being dislodged (if the ball hits the wicket without dislodging a bail it is not out).

Bowl, bowler, bowling

To bowl means to propel the ball fairly at the bowler's target, which is the wicket at the other end of the pitch.

Bowling analysis

Go to Analysis.

Bowling average

Go to Average.

Bowling crease

Now a misnomer as it is no longer anything to do with bowling. It is the back edge of the crease marking and the line marking the end of the pitch. It must be 8 foot 8 inches long.

Box

Item of protective gear worn inside the trousers to protect the genitals.

Break

Any deviation of the ball from a straight course immediately after pitching, most commonly caused by spin.

Bye

Extra(s) awarded if the batsman misses the ball and it goes past the wicket-keeper to give the batsmen time to run in the conventional way (the mark of a good wicket-keeper is his ability to restrict the total of byes to a minimum). First recorded in the 1770s.

C

Call

This has three usages:

1. A batsman's call to his partner to attempt a run.
2. A call by the fielding side to nominate who should attempt a catch (in case two fielders collide and miss the chance).
3. The umpire's call of "no ball".

Cap

Traditionally the cricketer's headgear but it is rarely worn by batsmen since safety helmets were introduced.

Captain

The team leader who is responsible for tactical decisions. Usually the team's most experienced player.

Carrying the bat

An opening batsman is said to have carried his bat if he remains the not out batsmen when his team is all out.

Caught

A common means of dismissal. The batsman has hit the ball with his bat or with his hand and the ball has been caught on the full by a member of the fielding side.

Century

Colloquial term for a score of 100 or more. 50 is called a half-century; 200 a double-century; 300 a triple-century.

Change bowler

Generally, a new bowler being introduced into the attack. More specifically, the term is used in reference to a certain player, who may be an occasional bowler, asked to bowl a short spell for tactical reasons.

Chest-on

Describes a bowler who delivers the ball with his chest facing the batsman, as opposed to being side on.

Chinaman

Deprecated colloquial term for unorthodox left arm spin bowling (equivalent of a right arm leg break); it is a ball bowled by a left-arm wrist spinner that turns into the right-handed batsman from the off side. The term's origin may be a reference to Ellis Achong, who was a West Indian bowler of Chinese descent and noted for this type of delivery.

Chucker

A bowler whose action amounts to a throw and so breaches Law 21.2 – Fair delivery.

Closing the face

Turning the face of the bat inwards so that the ball is deflected from the off side to the leg side.

Corridor of uncertainty

A somewhat fanciful and rather meaningless phrase enjoyed by certain commentators to describe the narrow line of flight on or just outside a batsman's off stump in which the bowler will sometimes pitch the ball. In fact, bowlers have always had the tactic in their repertoires. The batsman receiving this type of delivery must judge if it will hit the off stump or pass just outside it and go through to the wicket-keeper. If he thinks it may hit the stump, he needs to play a shot but if the ball is either swinging or spinning away from him, the shot needs to be timed right or he may edge the ball to the wicket-keeper or one of the slip fielders and be caught. If he thinks that it will miss the off stump, he may decide to "leave" it and let it go through but the risk there is that he might have misjudged the flight and it hits the off stump.

Cover (specific fielding position)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Cover (sometimes called "cover point") is specifically an infield position that is "forward of square" and to the left of the umpire at the bowler's end. It is also, technically though in plural, a sector of the field between "point" and "off" (see below). It is opposite "mid wicket".

Covers (sector of field)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Generally referred to as "the covers" (plural) though "cover" per se is a specific infield position (see above). The covers are a sector of the field "forward of square" which is to the left of the umpire at the bowler's end and beyond 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to straight hit. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep point, and by another line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep extra cover.

Creases

The bowling crease, the popping crease and the two return creases are marked by white lines at each end of the pitch.

Cricket season

The months of the year in which cricket is played in a given country. In Europe, Australasia and southern Africa, the season is through the spring and summer months when daylight is longer. Conversely, in the Caribbean and the Indian sub-continent, the season is during the autumn and winter months in order to avoid climate extremes in the shape of excessive heat, hurricanes and monsoons.

Cricketana

A collective noun that embraces all manner of cricket-related collectibles.

Cross bat

Basically, any shot played across the line of flight so that the ball is hit to the leg or on side of the field. Examples are the hook, pull and sweep shots.

Cut

An attacking shot frequently played by batsmen against a short-pitched ball outside the off stump. With the bat held horizontally, the ball is hit towards the off side boundary either "square" (through the covers) or "late" (through the slips).

D

Dead ball

Covered by Law 20 – Dead Ball. It essentially means that the ball is out of play and no runs can be scored. The key situation is the return of the ball to either the bowler or wicket-keeper after a shot has been played, whether runs have been scored or not, as that suspends play temporarily pending the next delivery.

Declaration, declare

Covered by Law 15 – Declaration and Forfeiture. A declaration is a tactical decision by the batting team's captain to close the innings while the team still has wickets in hand.

Deep extra cover

Fielding position on the off side boundary beyond cover point and mid off.

Deep fine leg

Fielding position on the leg side boundary at an acute angle to the batsman.

Delivery

The act of bowling the ball.

Dilscoop

Go to Marillier shot.

Dismissal

A means of ending the innings of a batsman or a team.

Dolly

An easy catch. Also, famously, the nickname of Basil D'Oliveira.

Doosra

A Hindi/Urdu word which means "second" or "other", it is the off spinner's version of the googly, delivered out of the back of the hand and turning away from the right-handed batsman.

Draw

In first-class cricket, the result of an unfinished match. Historically, a "draw shot" was the name given to a risky shot played by some batsmen to deflect the ball between their own legs.

Drive

A forward shot by the batsman which aims to meet the ball at the point of pitching. The ball is thus "driven" back down the pitch and past the bowler. It can be an "off drive" past mid off or an "on drive" past mid on.

Duck

A score of nought. If the batsman scores nought in both innings of the match, he is said to have collected a pair.

Duckworth-Lewis method

Named after Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis, two mathematicians who devised a system to help decide the outcome of limited overs matches that have been interrupted. The method is typically used to determine the revised target of the team batting second if their total number of overs has been reduced because of a stoppage.

E

Economy rate

The average number of runs that a bowler has conceded per over.

Extras

Runs which are not scored from the bat; they comprise no balls, wides, byes and leg byes and so are a form of penalty imposed on the fielding team; known in Australia as "sundries".

F

Fast bowling (LF/RF)

A genuine fast bowler is capable of delivering the ball at a speed of 90 mph or more. LF means left arm fast; RF is right arm fast.

Fast medium pace bowling (LFM/RFM)

Still very fast but the bowler chooses to forfeit "express pace" so that he has greater control of the delivery. Fast medium bowlers are often called "seamers" because they use the seam of the ball to make it swing through the air either towards or away from the batsman.

Featherbed

A pitch with little or no bounce or spin. Ideal for the batsmen, hard work for the bowlers.

Fielded, fielder, fielding

The Oxford Dictionary defines fielding as an attempt to catch or stop the ball and return it after it has been hit.

Fine

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

A complicated term best known for its use in the naming of certain fielding positions. Its real importance is in defining a sector of the field in relation to the striker. Basically, a fielding position is "fine" if it is "behind square" and within 45° either side of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to long stop. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn from the striker's wicket to third man, and by another line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep fine leg. Other positions within "fine" are the slips, gully, leg slip and leg gully.

Fine leg

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Not actually a position in its own right and it tends to be used imprecisely for either deep fine leg or short fine leg.

Finger spin bowling

The bowler uses his fingers to impart spin onto the ball at the moment of delivery. This contrasts with wrist spin.

First-class cricket

The official designation of double innings matches played over at least three days between teams recognised by the ICC as first-class.

Flight

Refers to the movement of the ball through the air after being bowled. Slow bowlers use flight tactically to try and deceive the batsman, for example by subtle changes in trajectory.

Flipper

A type of leg spin delivery that has a low trajectory so that it shoots forward without much bounce. Chiefly associated with Shane Warne.

Follow-on

In a double innings match, the side batting second may be obliged to bat the third innings (i.e., bat a second time out of turn) because of the size of their first innings deficit (e.g., 200-plus runs behind in a Test match).

Follow-through

The last stage of the bowler's delivery after he has released the ball.

Forward defence

The batsman plays forward to the pitch of the ball and blocks it. It means that he steps forward from his stance in order to address the ball.

Forward of square

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Basically, any fielding position in the diagram which is below a line drawn from deep point through the striker's "popping crease" to deep square leg. The area includes the "covers", "off","on" and "mid wicket" sectors of the field.

Full toss, full pitch

The ball reaches the batsman without bouncing first and can be hit before it bounces.

G

Gardening

Minor repairs to the pitch by the batsman, using the bottom edge of his bat to smooth out indentions.

Gauntlets

The reinforced gloves, including wrist protectors, which are worn by the wicket-keeper.

Gentlemen

Most famously applied to the amateur players taking part in the Gentlemen v Players fixture, there were numerous teams whose name included "Gentlemen".

Giving the ball air

The bowler delivers with a high or parabolic trajectory instead of a "flat" trajectory.

Glance

A stroke made by a deft turn of the wrists which deflects the ball to the leg side. It was first made famous by Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji. Also called a "leg glance".

Good length

From the bowler's point of view, the ideal length of a delivery in terms of the difficulty it poses for the batsman, who must quickly decide whether to play back or forward.

Googly

Also known as a "wrong 'un" or a "bosie", an off-break being bowled by a right arm spinner with a leg-break action or an orthodox delivery being bowled by a left arm unorthodox spinner with a chinaman action. Essentially, the ball spins in the opposite direction to that of the spin bowler's "stock delivery". It was devised by B. J. T. Bosanquet at the end of the 19th century and the Australian term "bosie" was coined in his honour.

Ground-staff

Club employees, mainly junior players, who perform various support roles such as bowling in the nets and assisting the groundsman.

Gully

An off side fielding position fairly close to the wicket where the fielder has a good chance of catching a ball that flies off the outside edge of the bat. The position is wide of and below the "slips" so the fielder is moreorless facing the striker during delivery.

H

Half-century

Term applied to any score by a batsman between 50 and 99.

Half-volley

A poor delivery by the bowler that pitches beyond a "good length" but is not a "full toss". As such, it is easy for the batsman to play forward and meet it with a drive shot, usually scoring runs.

Handled the ball

An unusual means of dismissal whereby a batsman deliberately, and thus illegally, uses his hand to touch the ball. This used to be a mode of dismissal in its own right but since 2017 it is included in "obstructing the field". The bowled ball often hits the batsman's hand but that is not intentional by the batsman and so is not out, though he can of course be caught off his hand.

Hat-trick

Three wickets taken in consecutive deliveries by the same bowler. The term originated after H. H. Stephenson achieved the feat when playing for the All-England Eleven at the Hyde Park Ground, Sheffield in 1858. A collection was organised and someone decided to buy Stephenson a hat with the proceeds.

Hawk-Eye

A technological aid to the third umpire and used in the decision review system (DRS); it tracks the trajectory of a delivery, omitting the presence of the batsman, so that "leg before wicket" (lbw) appeals can be judged.

Helmet

Protective gear for the head which is now invariably worn by batsmen and close fielders.

Hit the ball twice

An unusual means of dismissal that was introduced in the eighteenth century, possibly sooner, as a safety measure to counter dangerous play and protect the fielders. The batsman cannot hit the ball a second time to try and score runs or avoid being caught. He can, however, knock the ball away from his stumps with the bat if he is danger of "playing on".

Hit wicket

A common means of dismissal whereby a batsman did just that, often by hitting the wicket with his bat or by falling onto it or somehow hitting it with his foot or leg.

Hook

A cross bat shot across the line of delivery to hit a short-pitched ball away to the on side. It is a risky shot but, if successfully executed, the hook often clears the boundary for six runs.

Hot Spot

A technological aid to the third umpire and used in the decision review system (DRS); it films the batsman with an infra-red camera so that any impact by the ball on a bat or pad is highlighted as a white spot (the "hot spot") in the resultant image.

How's that?

Go to "Owzat?"

I

In-swinger

A fast delivery in which the ball swings (i.e., achieves lateral movement) in the air and moves from off to leg (i.e., it swings into the batsman having seemed to be going outside the wicket on his off side); a fast bowler effects swing by using a particular grasp of the seam in his hand before releasing the ball. It was first developed to good effect by the American bowler Bart King around 1895.

Infield

Loosely used term for the area of the field that is close to the pitch; broadly speaking it is delimited by the cover point and mid-wicket fielding positions; the outer area closer to the boundary is called the "outfield".

Innings

One of the main phases of play into which a match is divided.

Innings defeat/victory

In a double innings match, if one team scores more runs in one innings than their opponents can score in two completed innings, the winning team is said to have won the match by an innings and the number of runs they are ahead. They have thus achieved an "innings victory" and their opponents have suffered an "innings defeat".

Inside edge

When a batsman does not time his shot correctly and the ball touches the edge of the bat closest to his legs, the shot is called an "inside edge"; if the ball flies off the inside edge and onto the stumps, the batsman has "played on" and is out.

International Cricket Council (ICC)

The sport's global governing body.

J

Jock strap

A form of male underwear worn by batsmen and designed to hold the box firmly in place.

K

Keeper

Commonly used abbreviation of wicket-keeper.

Keeping the strike

Scoring a single or a three from the last ball of an over and so retaining strike for the start of the next over.

King pair

A batsman who has been dismissed first ball in both innings is said to have collected a "king pair".

Knock

Slang for a batsman's innings, referred to as a "good knock" if he makes a high score.

Kolpak ruling

Legislation passed by the European Court in 2003 which enables overseas players to play in British and Irish domestic cricket.

Kwik cricket

A variation of the sport used primarily as an introduction to cricket for children.

L

Late cut

(BWC).

Leading edge

(ESPN).

Left-arm orthodox spin

Go to Slow left-arm orthodox.

Left-arm unorthodox spin

Go to Slow left-arm chinaman.

Leg aka leg side

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

A complicated term best known for its use in the naming of certain fielding positions. Its real importance is in defining a sector of the field in relation to the striker. Basically, a fielding position is "to leg" if it is "behind square" and beyond 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to long stop. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep fine leg, and by another drawn line from the striker's wicket to deep square leg.

Leg before wicket (lbw)

A common means of dismissal that is complex in its application but basically means that the batsman would have been bowled if the ball had not hit his leg first; this decision is entirely based on the umpire's judgment but the fielding side must appeal for the dismissal first.

Leg break (LB)

A delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler; bowled to a right-handed batsman, the ball will turn from the leg side to the off side (i.e., it will pass in front of the batsman from his left to his right).

Leg break and googly (LBG)

A style of bowling in which a leg spinner will sometimes deploy the googly.

Leg bye

Extra(s) awarded if the ball hits the batsman's leg, but not his bat, and it goes away from the fielders to give the batsmen time to run in the conventional way; note that a leg bye cannot be claimed if the batsman did not try to play the ball with the bat.

Leg cutter

Basically a leg break bowled by a fast or medium-pace bowler, except that it does not spin and achieves its "break" after hitting the pitch.

Leg glance

Go to Glance.

Leg slip

A fielding position on the leg side which is equivalent to "first slip".

Leg spin

Go to Leg break.

Leg theory

The "technical term" given to "Bodyline" bowling because it involved an arc of close fielders on the leg side who were grouped to catch a delivery being fended away from the batsman's body.

Length

Reference to the distance which a delivery travels before pitching: e.g., good length, short pitched, full toss.

Light

(BWC).

Line

Reference to an imaginary line between the two middle stumps.

Line and length

A type of bowling, often associated with medium pacers, who pitch the ball just outside the off stump on what is termed a good length just in front of the batsman. The batsman is forced to play a stroke to this sort of delivery, usually defensive, to protect his wicket.

List A

The statistical standard approved by the ICC for major limited overs cricket but excluding Twenty20.

Lob bowling

A type of underarm bowling in which the ball is given a high trajectory.

Long hop

A short-pitched delivery with little bounce and so easily hit by the batsman.

Long leg

A fielding position on the boundary behind and to the left of the batsman.

Long off

A fielding position on the boundary behind and to the left of the bowler.

Long on

A fielding position on the boundary behind and to the right of the bowler.

Long stop

A rarely-used fielding position on the boundary directly behind the wicketkeeper; it was commonly filled in 18th century cricket when George Leer of Hambledon was a noted exponent.

Lost ball

if the fielding team cannot locate the ball after it has been hit, they must call out "lost ball" so that the umpire can halt play while a new ball is obtained; the batsman is credited with six runs.

Lunch interval

The first interval in a day's play; its timing, though scheduled, is flexible depending on match and weather conditions.

M

Maiden

An over in which no runs are scored from the bat; it is credited to the bowler in his statistical analysis.

Mankading

The act by the bowler of breaking the wicket at the non-striker's end to run him out before the bowler has begun his delivery. Bowlers sometimes warn a non-striker about "backing up" (i.e., leaving his safe area before the ball has been bowled). It is named after Vinoo Mankad who was involved in a controversy for running out an Australian batsman in this way during a 1947–48 Test match in Australia.

Man of the match

A subjective award given after some types of match to the player deemed by the judge(s) to have been the outstanding performer.

Marillier shot

Also known as the "dilscoop" or the "paddle scoop", though these have certain technical differences, it is an unorthodox batting stroke developed in Twenty20 by Zimbabwean batsman Dougie Marillier; it is a very risky stroke achieved when the batsman "flicks" the ball over the heads of both himself and the wicket-keeper but, if successfully done, it almost always results in a boundary.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

(ESPN).

Matting

(BWC).

Medium pace bowling (LM/RM)

A type of bowling often associated with "line and length" and use of the "seam"; a medium pacer will often try to contain, rather than dismiss, the batsman by bowling accurately and economically without taking risks.

Mid off

A fielding position on the off side which is to the left of the bowler and a few yards behind him.

Mid on

A fielding position on the on side which is to the right of the bowler and a few yards behind him.

Mid wicket (specific fielding position)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Mid wicket is specifically an infield position that is "forward of square" and to the right of the umpire at the bowler's end. It is also, technically, a sector of the field between "leg" and "on" (see below). It is opposite "cover" and approximately halfway between the centre of the pitch and the "deep mid-wicket" boundary.

Mid wicket (sector of field)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Though best known as a specific infield position (see above), mid wicket is also, technically, a sector of the field "forward of square" which is to the right of the umpire at the bowler's end and beyond 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to straight hit. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep square leg, and by another line drawn from the striker's wicket to cow corner.

Middle

(ESPN).

Minor counties

(BWC).

N

Nelson

A score of 111 with associations of superstition.

Nervous nineties

(ESPN).

Nets

A practice pitch is surrounded on three sides by netting to contain the ball within the pitch area.

New ball

(BWC).

Nightwatchman

A lower order batsman who is sent in ahead of schedule when a wicket falls towards close of play; the captain hopes that the nightwatchman will manage to stay in till play ends so that a recognised batsman does not have to face the last few overs.

No ball

A penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he breaks the rules of bowling either by: (a) using an inappropriate arm action; (b) overstepping the popping crease; (c) bowling with a foot outside the return crease.

Non-striker

The batsman not "on strike" who is standing at the bowler's end of the pitch.

Notch

(BWC).

Not out

(BWC).

O

Obstructing the field

An unusual means of dismissal that tends to involve a batsman deliberately getting in the way of a fielder.

Odds match

Essentially historical as such matches were common in the 19th century when "travelling elevens" like the All-England Eleven were in vogue; it is simply a match in which one team has more players than the other.

Off break (OB)

An off spin delivery by a right-arm spin bowler which turns from the off side towards the leg side when the batsman is right-handed.

Off cutter

Basically an off break bowled by a fast or medium-pace bowler, except that it does not spin and achieves its "break" after hitting the pitch.

Off drive

(BWC).

Off aka off side

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

The sector of the field "forward of square" which is to the left of the umpire at the bowler's end and, technically, within 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to straight hit. It is the opposite of the on side. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn vertically from the striker's wicket through the non-striker's wicket to straight hit, and by another line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep extra cover.

Off the mark

(ESPN).

On drive

(BWC).

On aka on side

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

The sector of the field "forward of square" which is to the right of the umpire at the bowler's end and, technically, within 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to straight hit. It is the opposite of the off side. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn vertically from the striker's wicket through the non-striker's wicket to straight hit, and by another line drawn from the striker's wicket to cow corner.

On strike

The batsman who is facing the bowler is the "striker" and, therefore, "on strike".

Out-swinger

Also called the "away swinger", a fast delivery in which the ball swings (i.e., achieves lateral movement) in the air and moves away from the batsman's body to his off side (i.e., it swings away from the batsman having seemed to be going to his leg side or straight towards him and his wicket); a fast bowler effects swing by using a particular grasp of the seam in his hand before releasing the ball.

Outfield

(BWC).

Outside edge

(ESPN).

Over

A period of play in which six successive deliveries are bowled by one bowler from the same end of the pitch; the name comes from the umpire's call of "Over!" after the sixth delivery has been completed; the next over is bowled by a different bowler from the other end of the pitch.

Overthrow

An additional run taken by the batsmen after a fielder's return throw has gone astray.

Over the wicket

(BWC).

Owzat?

Meaning "How's that?", the usual shout uttered by a bowler when appealing for a batsman to be dismissed.

P

Pads

Protective gear for the knees and shins worn by the batsmen and the wicketkeeper.

Paddle scoop

Go to Marillier shot.

Pair

"Getting a pair" is achieved by a batsman who is out without scoring in both innings of a two-innings match; short for "pair of spectacles", meaning two zeroes.

Partnership

Basically, the time in which the same two batsmen are batting together; in common usage, the number of runs scored during their partnership is referred to as "an nth wicket partnership of x runs".

Pavilion

A structure common to cricket grounds in which the players' dressing rooms are located; the pavilion is generally the club's headquarters and seating is usually provided there for the club members; large pavilions (e.g., at Lord's) also serve as grandstands.

Pinch hitter

A baseball term used here for a lower order batsman who has been sent in early with instructions to try and increase the run rate.

Pitch

As a noun, the pitch is the central playing area. As a verb, "to pitch" means to bowl the ball through the air and cause it to bounce either before or when it reaches the batsman.

Pitched delivery bowling

An evolution of underarm bowling in the early 1760s when bowlers began to pitch the ball instead of rolling or skimming it along the ground; the introduction necessitated the invention of the straight bat to replace the former "hockey stick" shape. Lumpy Stevens was the first great bowler using the new style.

Play and miss

The batsman attempts a shot but misses the ball; the phrase is commonly used if the batsman has narrowly missed the ball which is then caught by the wicketkeeper, the inference being that he would have been out if he had touched the ball.

Played on

The batsman has made contact with the ball but diverted it onto his wicket; in the scorecard, the dismissal is recorded as "bowled" and credited to the bowler.

Playing time

In a first-class match, the scheduled playing time is six hours in a day with intervals for lunch and tea.

Point (specific fielding position)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Point is specifically an infield position that is "square" of the striker and to the left of the umpire at the bowler's end. It is also, technically, a sector of the field "behind square" (see below).

Point (sector of field)

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Though best known as a specific infield position (see above), point is also, technically, the sector of the field "behind square" which is beyond 45° of a line drawn from the striker's wicket to long stop. In the diagram, the sector is delimited by a line drawn from the striker's wicket to deep point, and by another drawn line from the striker's wicket to third man.

Popping crease

A line drawn parallel to the bowling crease and four feet in front of it; the batsman is "safe" from stumping and run out if his bat or any part of his body is grounded behind the crease; the batsmen complete runs by grounding their bats there. The line is physically drawn on the pitch only but in fact it extends from the backward point boundary to the square leg boundary.

Powerplay

A rule introduced in 2005 concerning fielding restrictions in limited overs international (LOI) cricket; it applies not only to the first ten overs of every innings, but also in two blocks of five overs to be used at the discretion of the fielding captain.

Professional

(BWC).

Pull shot

The batsman hits "across the line" against a short-pitched delivery, playing the ball to the leg side and directing it towards the central part of the boundary between deep mid-wicket and backward square-leg.

Q

Quick (or quickie)

Slang for a fast bowler.

R

Referral

Request to the off-field third umpire to review an on-field umpiring decision (see "Umpire Decision Review System").

Result

A match may be won by either team or may be either a draw or a tie; a win is by either a number of runs (i.e., if the team batting last was all out without reaching their target) or a number of wickets (i.e., the number of wickets standing when the winning run was scored).

Retired hurt

The phrase used in the scorecard if a batsman cannot continue his innings due to illness or injury; the batsman can return later but only after a wicket has fallen.

Return

The throw by a fielder, to either wicket, having fielded the ball.

Return creases

Two lines at either side of each wicket which extend backwards at right angles from the bowling crease and four feet four inches from the middle stump. Their purpose is to limit the area in which the bowler's rear foot must land in the delivery stride, which means he must be within that range of the wicket when he bowls.

Reverse sweep

(ESPN).

Reverse swing

While normal swing is movement in the air away from the shiny side of the ball, reverse swing is the opposite and tends to happen with an older ball.

Ring field

(ESPN).

Rollers

A revolving cylinder on a central axis used for flattening turf, it is used on the pitch before each innings to even out the surface.

Rope

(ESPN).

Rough

The area of the pitch that has been subject to wear and tear by bowlers' footmarks; spin bowlers try to capitalise by pitching into the rough as it gives them more "turn".

Round the wicket

(BWC).

Rubber

(BWC).

Run chase

The attempt by the team batting in the final innings to win the match by outscoring their opponents; if they succeed, they have won by the number of their wickets still standing.

Run out

A common means of dismissal by which a fielder has broken the wicket with the ball while a batsman was out of his ground; this usually occurs by means of an accurate throw to the wicket while the batsmen are attempting a run.

Run rate

more applicable to limited overs than first-class, it measures the average number of runs per over.

Run-up

The bowler's approach to the wicket; a fast bowler may need a run up of several yards, a spin bowler only a few short steps.

Runner

If a batsman is injured so that his running is impaired, one of his team can run for him. The runner stands at "square leg" and runs to a point in line with the "popping crease" at the bowler's end. He must carry a bat and wear all the same equipment as the batsman he is assisting; and he can be run out.

S

Scorecard

(BWC).

Seam

The raised stitching around the ball.

Seam bowling

A type of bowling, generally at a medium to fast pace, which utilises the raised seam of the ball to try and cause an uneven bounce on pitching; a bowler using this technique is commonly referred to as a "seamer".

Second XI

In effect, a club's reserve team; England and Wales have a Second XI Championship contested by the reserve sides of the clubs in the County Championship.

Selector

(BWC).

Session

A day's play is divided into three sessions delimited by lunch, tea and close of play.

Shine

Meaning the shine on the ball when it is no longer new and the fielding team have tried to polish one side of it to assist a swing bowler; the batsman hitting the ball is sometimes said to be "taking the shine off".

Shooter

A delivery that fails to achieve bounce as a result of pitching on an uneven spot in the pitch; it is so-called because it deviates sharply at low or ground level towards the wicket and can be unplayable by even a top-class batsman.

Short of a length

Bowlers generally pitch the ball in an area just in front of the batsman that is called a "good length"; a "short-pitched delivery" is one that pitches short of this good length so that it has extra bounce (see also "bouncer").

Short run

(BWC).

Short square leg

As for "square leg" except that the fielder is very close to the batsman. If the batsman has a "side-on" stance, the short square leg is in effect crouching directly behind him. Brian Close was a noted short square leg fielder.

Shoulder arms

(ESPN).

Side on

A description of the bowler's action, resembling the "cartwheel" in gymnastics, if his body from his back foot to his leading arm are aligned in the direction of the batsman. A bowler needs athletic prowess to properly execute a side on delivery. Fred Trueman was one of many bowlers noted for their ability to bowl in this way; it is considered a "classic" action. The term is sometimes used about a batsman if, in his stance, he is similarly "side on" to the bowler.

Sightscreen

A large hoarding or screen which is directly behind each wicket and outside the field of play; its purpose is to provide a clear background which assists the batsman in seeing the ball being delivered. The screen is white in daytime play when a red ball is in use and is covered in black material for an evening game in which a white ball is used.

Silly (fielding positions)

Adjective applied to fielding positions which are dangerously close to the batsman; they include "silly point, "silly mid off" and "silly mid on".

Single

The completion of one run only between the wickets is called a single; note that two runs is called a two, never a double.

Sitter

A catch which should not be at all difficult to hold.

Six

Six runs are awarded to the batsman whenever the ball is hit over the boundary on the full.

Slider

A delivery by a "wrist spinner" (e.g., LBG, SLC) which has "back spin" (i.e., spins with reverse rotation).

Slip

Any of four off side fielding positions close to the wicket which form an arc between the wicketkeeper and the "gully"; the one next to the wicketkeeper is called "first slip" and the others are "second slip", "third slip" and "fourth slip". If all four positions are occupied, the term "slip cordon" is sometimes used. The purpose of the slips is to catch any deliveries which deflect off the outside edge of the bat but are travelling wide of the wicketkeeper.

Slog, slogger

Basically a loose and hefty swing of the bat with minimal technique and the intention of hitting the ball out of the field; a very risky shot generally associated with "tail-enders"; players who "slog" on a regular basis are generally known as "sloggers".

Slow left-arm chinaman (SLC)

A style of left-arm wrist spin bowling in which the ball is released from the hand over the little finger (this is sometimes called a "back of the hand" delivery). The resultant rotation of the ball is clockwise. The bowler normally operates on the right side of his wicket, so that his bowling arm is "over the wicket". If the batsman is right-handed, the bowler directs his delivery in a diagonal direction towards the batsman's off stump and the ball on pitching turns in from the off towards the batsman and his leg stump. If the batsman is left-handed, the chinaman turns away from him towards his off stump. The origin of the term "chinaman" is uncertain.

Slow left-arm orthodox (SLA)

A style of left-arm finger spin bowling in which the ball is released from the fingers with an anti-clockwise rotation. The bowler normally operates on the right side of his wicket, so that his bowling arm is "over the wicket". If the batsman is right-handed, the bowler directs his delivery in a diagonal direction towards the batsman's leg stump and the ball on pitching turns towards the off and away from the batsman. If the batsman is left-handed, the orthodox delivery turns in from the off towards the batsman and his leg stump. There have been numerous great SLA bowlers, including Wilfred Rhodes who holds the world record for the greatest number of wickets taken in a first-class career.

Slower ball

A tactic used by a fast bowler to deceive the batsman, the delivery being bowled at medium pace instead of the usual fast pace.

Splice

The joint between the handle and the blade of the bat.

Square

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

A complicated term best known for its use in the naming of certain fielding positions such as square leg, where the second umpire also stands. Its real importance is in defining an area of the field in relation to the striker. Basically, a fielding position is "square" if it is somewhere along a line drawn horizontally across the field from deep point to deep square leg. See also behind square and forward of square.

Square leg

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

Square leg umpire

Refer to fielding positions diagram and to Fielding.

While one umpire stands behind the wicket at the bowler's end, his colleague occupies a position on the line of "square" so that he is directly in line with the popping crease in order to judge "run out" and "stumping" appeals. If there is a square leg fielder, they stand moreorless alongside each other.

Standing back, standing up

(ESPN).

Sticky wicket

Also known as a "sticky dog", a pitch drying after rain creates notoriously difficult batting conditions so that the batsmen are said to have been "caught on a sticky wicket"; with routine covering of pitches in recent decades, the sticky wicket has become rare in first-class cricket.

Stock bowler

A bowler, usually of steady medium pace, who consistently pitches the ball on a "good length" to make runscoring difficult; such a bowler is taking no risks and is not necessarily trying to take wickets.

Stock delivery

A bowler's standard type of delivery; any variation is termed an unorthodox delivery (e.g., a leg spinner's stock delivery is the "leg break" and he might occasionally bowl a "googly").

Stonewaller

A batsman who specialises in defensive strokes, generally without trying to score any runs.

Straight bat

The bat when held vertically or when a shot is played in which the bat is swung through the vertical; "playing a straight bat" has become a common term for honest and uncomplicated dealing in real life.

Strike rate

In terms of batting, the percentage of runs scored over deliveries received.

In terms of bowling, the average number of balls bowled between taking wickets.

Striker

The batsman facing the bowler who is "on strike" to receive the ball being bowled.

Stroke

Any attempt by the batsman to hit the ball with his bat; each type of stroke has a designated name.

Stump

The three stumps are called "off stump", "middle stump" and "leg stump".

Stumped

A common means of dismissal that it is executed by the wicketkeeper alone (and credited to him) after the batsman has missed the bowled ball and has stepped out of his ground; the keeper must break the wicket with the ball in his hand for a stumping (if the keeper throws the ball at the wicket, it is a run out).

Stumps

The end of a day's play; based on the act of removing the stumps when play has ended.

Stump-cam

A tiny television camera housed in a stump.

Substitute

Substitute fielders are allowed but they may not bowl or keep wicket; substitute batsmen are not allowed but are known to have been deployed historically; see also "Twelfth man".

Sundries

Go to Extras.

Sweep

A shot played by the batsman from a semi-kneeling position and playing across the line of delivery to try and hit the ball towards the square leg or mid wicket boundary.

Swing bowling

A seam delivery in which the ball swings (i.e., achieves lateral movement) in the air and moves either towards (in-swinger) or away from (out-swinger) the batsman; a seam bowler effects swing by using a particular grasp of the seam in his hand before releasing the ball which has been judiciously polished, by the bowler and fielders, on one side of the seam only. Polishing one side assists lateral movement as air flows more easily past the shiny side than the worn side, causing the ball to deviate in flight so that, if the shiny side is on the left, it swings to the right.

Switch hit

A shot played by a batsman who has altered both his stance and his grip during the bowler's run-up, thereby converting himself from a right hand bat (RHB) to a left hand bat (LHB), or vice-versa.

T

Tail

The last three or four positions in the batting order which are generally filled by the team's bowlers and, sometimes, the wicketkeeper; these are the players, known as "tail-enders", who lack recognised batting skills and, depending on how many there are, the tail is described as long or short; if the tail-enders do well and unexpectedly score a lot of runs, it is often said that "the tail wagged".

Tail-ender

A player of limited batting ability who has one of the positions at the end of the batting order; see "Tail" above.

Tea interval

The second interval in a day's play; its timing, though scheduled, is flexible depending on match and weather conditions.

Teesra

An "off break" variation devised by Saqlain Mushtaq; basically, the bowler pitches outside the off stump and the ball turns but with more bounce than a standard delivery.

Ten wickets in a match

Sometimes called a "ten-wicket haul"; an outstanding achievement by a bowler who has taken at least half of the twenty wickets available in a first-class match; the number of such instances are generally included in a player's career statistics under the heading of "10wM".

Test match

An international match between two teams representing full ICC member countries played under first-class rules and scheduled for five days; Test matches are globally the sport's highest standard of play.

Third man

An off side fielding position on the boundary which is "fine" of "deep backward point"; a shot between the slips and gully would go to third man.

Third umpire

An off-field umpire who makes the final decision when appeals or reviews are referred to him by the two on-field umpires; television replays are provided to assist him in making his decision.

Throw

The act, by a fielder, of either aiming the ball at a wicket to attempt a "run out" or of returning the ball to one of the wicketkeeper or bowler.

Throwing (illegal)

An arm action by the bowler which breaks the rules and is penalised as a "no ball"; essentially, it means the arm is straightened during the delivery as in a standard throwing action.

Tie

The result in a first-class match when the scores are level and, unlike a draw, both teams have fully completed all their innings: i.e., specifically when the team batting last are all out. In a limited overs game, a tie is achieved if the scores are level on completion of both innings and no tie-breaker rules can be applied.

Timed out

An unusual means of dismissal given when the next batsman has not arrived at the wicket within two minutes of the previous one being dismissed.

Timeless match

historically, a match for which no time limit was set with the intention of playing on until one side achieves victory.

Ton

Slang for "century".

Top edge

The ball touching the upper edge of the bat when it is moving horizontally through a shot like the "square cut"; often results in a catch by the wicketkeeper or a slip fielder.

Top spin

A spin delivery in which the spin is towards the wicket, causing the ball to increase its forward speed on pitching.

Track

Alternative name for the pitch.

Trundler

(ESPN).

Turn (batting)

The point at which a batsman completes one run and decides to go for another, depending on whether the fielders have recovered the ball yet.

Turn (bowling)

The effect on a spinning ball when conditions enable it to deviate sharply from a straight course after pitching; in such conditions, it is said that the pitch is turning (i.e., turning the ball); turn is enhanced if the bowler can pitch into any "rough".

Twelfth man

A reserve player who is able to act as a substitute fielder when necessary (substitutes cannot bat or bowl).

Twenty20

Pronounced, but not written, "twenty-twenty". A fast-paced, shortened form of the game introduced in England in 2003, in which each team plays an innings of a maximum twenty overs and the highest-scoring team wins.

Two-paced

(ESPN).

U

Umpire Decision Review System

A system which allows the fielding captain or the batsmen to request the third umpire to review the standing umpires' previous decision using technological aids, in the hope of having a dismissal awarded (in the case of the fielding captain) or overturned (in the case of the batsman).

Umpire's signals

(BWC).

Unplayable delivery

Subjective view that a ball was impossible for the batsman to play, with all credit due to the bowler.

V

Village cricket

A generic term applied to local club cricket in which the playing standard is of minor quality; in practice, village cricket includes games involving local teams from towns and cities, not just villages; historically, matches at this level were sometimes referred to as "parish matches".

W

Wagon-wheel

(ESPN).

Walk

Action of a batsman who is "giving himself out". This is when a batsman believes that he has been dismissed and sportingly "walks" (i.e., back to the pavilion) despite the umpire signalling "not out" or before the umpire has signalled "out". There have been stories, associated with bowlers like Fred Trueman, about batsmen deciding to walk because they no longer wished to face his bowling!

Wicket

The term essentially refers to the arrangement of the stumps and bails for use as the bowler's target but is also used as a synonym for both the pitch (e.g., a "sticky wicket") and a dismissal (e.g., the "fall of a wicket").

Wicket-keeper/batsman

A variation on "all rounder", this is a specialist wicket-keeper who is also worth his place in the team for his batting alone and may even be good enough to open the innings: e.g., Adam Gilchrist. Most wicket-keepers, like bowlers, are ordinary batsmen.

Wicket maiden

A maiden over (no runs scored) in which the bowler dismisses a batsman (i.e., takes a wicket). It is called a "double wicket maiden" if he takes two wickets.

Wicket-to-wicket

Basically, an imaginary line drawn down the centre of the pitch between the middle stumps of both wickets and used colloquially to describe bowling which is straight with no movement off the line of delivery.

Wide

A penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he bowls so that the ball is out of the batsman's reach; in addition, the ball must be re-bowled.

Wrong 'un

Go to Googly. This is a term sometimes used in Australia for the googly.

X

X. Tras

Slang for "extras" to imply that an imaginary batsman, sometimes called "Mr Extras", was responsible for scoring the extras in a team's total (there have been instances of extras achieving the "top score" in a team's innings).

Y

Yorker

A fast, straight delivery which the bowler pitches on or close to the popping crease and therefore just in front of the batsman's toes. It is designed to pass under the bat just as its downswing becomes vertical. If successful, the batsman is said to have been "yorked". The yorker is pitched closer to the wicket than a "half-volley" but not as close as a "full toss". The term's origin is uncertain and it is not necessarily connected with Yorkshire.

Z

Zooter (zoota)

Credited to Shane Warne and supposedly a variation of the leg-spin "flipper" which stays close to ground with little bounce; probably not an intentional delivery as reduction of the bounce is extremely difficult to manage.

Bibliography

• Chambers: The Chambers Dictionary, 10th Edition. Chambers Harrap (2006).
• Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC): Laws of Cricket. MCC (2017).
• Oxford University: Oxford English Dictionary, 11th Edition. Oxford University Press (2004).
• Swanton, E. W. (editor): Barclays World of Cricket, 3rd edition. Willow Books (1986).
• Williamson, Martin: A glossary of cricket terms. ESPN Sports Media Ltd (2018).