Cricket is more than just a game; it’s a world with its own language, rules, and drama. For those new to it, cricket terms can sound as mystifying as a bowler’s googly! Whether you’re hearing about “sticky wickets” or “hat tricks,” cricket vocabulary adds a layer of charm to the sport. This guide introduces the essential terms every cricket fan should know, from field positions to famous shots, so you can follow the game like a pro. With this vocabulary in hand, you’ll be cheering along confidently at the next match—or maybe even explaining the finer points to your friends!
Appeal
Definition: A request by the fielding team to the umpire to declare a batter out.
Example: “The bowler made a loud appeal to the umpire.”
Ashes
Definition: A famous cricket series played between England and Australia.
Example: “The Ashes series attracts cricket fans from around the world.”
Bails
Definition: The small wooden pieces on top of the stumps; if dislodged, the batter is out.
Example: “The bowler hit the stumps, knocking off the bails.”
Batter
Definition: A player who bats during an innings.
Example: “The batter scored a century in the match.”
Beamer
Definition: A delivery that reaches the batter at head height without bouncing.
Example: “The bowler accidentally bowled a beamer, surprising the batter.”
Boundary
Definition: The edge of the playing field; also refers to a shot that reaches the boundary for four or six runs.
Example: “The batter hit the ball to the boundary for a four.”
Bowler
Definition: The player who delivers the ball to the batter.
Example: “The bowler took three wickets in his first over.”
Bouncer
Definition: A short-pitched delivery that bounces high towards the batter.
Example: “The bowler bowled a bouncer to intimidate the batter.”
Bye
Definition: Runs scored when the ball passes the batter and the wicketkeeper without touching the bat or player.
Example: “The team added two byes to their score.”
Century
Definition: A score of 100 or more runs by a batter in a single innings.
Example: “He celebrated his century with a wave to the crowd.”
Crease
Definition: Lines marked on the field to indicate where the batter stands and where the bowler delivers the ball.
Example: “The batter stood inside the crease.”
Cover Drive
Definition: A type of shot played by the batter, directing the ball through the cover region.
Example: “The batter’s cover drive was a textbook example of technique.”
Dot Ball
Definition: A delivery from which no runs are scored.
Example: “The bowler was pleased with a series of dot balls.”
Duck
Definition: A score of zero by a batter.
Example: “The batter was out for a duck on their first ball.”
Edge
Definition: When the ball touches the edge of the bat, often resulting in a catch.
Example: “The batter edged the ball, and the slip fielder caught it.”
Extras
Definition: Runs not scored by the batter but awarded to the batting team for no-balls, wides, byes, and leg-byes.
Example: “The team gained five extras in the over.”
Follow-On
Definition: When a team bats again immediately after their first innings due to a large deficit in runs.
Example: “The team was asked to follow-on after a poor first innings.”
Full Toss
Definition: A delivery that reaches the batter without bouncing.
Example: “The batter hit the full toss for a six.”
Golden Duck
Definition: A batter dismissed for zero runs on the first ball faced.
Example: “The batter suffered a golden duck, much to the crowd’s surprise.”
Googly
Definition: A type of delivery by a leg-spin bowler that spins in the opposite direction to a normal leg-break.
Example: “The bowler’s googly confused the batter.”
Innings
Definition: A period in which a team or player bats.
Example: “The team scored 300 runs in their first innings.”
Knock
Definition: A batter’s performance in an innings.
Example: “His knock of 75 runs was crucial for the team.”
Leg Bye
Definition: A run scored after the ball hits the batter’s body (not the bat) and they run.
Example: “The team added one leg bye to their score.”
Leg Spin
Definition: A type of spin bowling that spins the ball from the leg side to the off side.
Example: “The leg spin confused the batter and led to a wicket.”
Maiden Over
Definition: An over in which no runs are scored off the bowler.
Example: “The bowler completed a maiden over to start the match.”
Man of the Match
Definition: The player recognized as having the best performance in the match.
Example: “He was awarded Man of the Match for his century.”
Middle Order
Definition: Batters who bat in the middle positions, usually positions 4-7.
Example: “The middle order stabilized the team’s innings.”
Nightwatchman
Definition: A lower-order batter sent in to bat at the end of a day’s play to protect the top-order batters.
Example: “The nightwatchman faced the final over of the day.”
No-Ball
Definition: An illegal delivery, often due to overstepping the crease.
Example: “The umpire called a no-ball, giving the batter a free hit.”
Off Break
Definition: A type of spin bowling that turns from off to leg side for a right-handed batter.
Example: “His off break led to a quick dismissal.”
Off Stump
Definition: The stump farthest from the batter’s leg.
Example: “The bowler aimed at the off stump.”
On Side
Definition: The side of the field behind the batter as they face the bowler, also called the leg side.
Example: “He played a shot to the on side.”
Outfield
Definition: The area of the field farthest from the pitch.
Example: “The fielder chased the ball to the outfield.”
Over
Definition: A set of six deliveries bowled by the same bowler.
Example: “The bowler completed his over.”
Pinch Hitter
Definition: A batter sent in to score quickly, often in limited-overs matches.
Example: “The team used a pinch hitter to increase the run rate.”
Pitch
Definition: The area of the field where the bowler delivers the ball to the batter.
Example: “The pitch was ideal for spinners.”
Powerplay
Definition: A period in limited-overs cricket where fielding restrictions apply.
Example: “The batters took advantage of the powerplay.”
Run Out
Definition: When a batter is dismissed by a fielder hitting the stumps with the ball while the batter is out of their crease.
Example: “The batter was run out attempting a quick single.”
Silly Point
Definition: A fielding position very close to the batter on the off side.
Example: “The fielder stood at silly point.”
Single
Definition: A run scored by running once between the wickets.
Example: “The batter took a quick single.”
Sixer
Definition: A shot that clears the boundary without bouncing, scoring six runs.
Example: “The batter hit a sixer to reach his half-century.”
Slip
Definition: A fielding position behind the batter, next to the wicketkeeper.
Example: “The ball flew to slip and was caught.”
Spell
Definition: A continuous period of bowling by a bowler.
Example: “The bowler’s spell was crucial in the match.”
Spin
Definition: A style of bowling that causes the ball to turn upon bouncing.
Example: “The bowler used spin to deceive the batter.”
Square Leg
Definition: A fielding position on the leg side perpendicular to the batter.
Example: “The fielder stood at square leg.”
Stance
Definition: The position a batter takes while preparing to face the bowler.
Example: “The batter took a strong stance.”
Strike Rate
Definition: The average number of runs scored per 100 balls faced by a batter.
Example: “He had an impressive strike rate in the match.”
Tailender
Definition: A batter who bats towards the end of the batting order, usually less skilled.
Example: “The tailender defended to help the team avoid a loss.”
Yorker
Definition: A delivery pitched at the batter’s feet, making it difficult to play.
Example: “The bowler’s yorker was nearly unplayable.”
Arm Ball
Definition: A type of delivery bowled by a spinner that doesn’t turn but goes straight on with the arm.
Example: “The arm ball deceived the batter as it continued straight.”
Batting Average
Definition: The average number of runs a batter scores per innings.
Example: “His batting average was among the highest in the league.”
Bowling Average
Definition: The average number of runs conceded per wicket by a bowler.
Example: “The bowler’s average was one of the best on the team.”
Chinaman
Definition: A left-arm unorthodox spin delivery that turns from off to leg for a right-handed batter.
Example: “His chinaman deliveries were hard to predict.”
Collapse
Definition: When several batters get out quickly in an innings.
Example: “A batting collapse put the team in a difficult position.”
Flat Track
Definition: A pitch that is favorable to batters and does not provide much assistance to bowlers.
Example: “The batters thrived on the flat track.”
Flight
Definition: The trajectory of the ball in the air before it pitches, often used to deceive batters.
Example: “The bowler used flight to tempt the batter forward.”
Free Hit
Definition: A delivery on which the batter cannot be dismissed, awarded after a no-ball in limited-overs cricket.
Example: “The batter hit the free hit for a boundary.”
Hawk-Eye
Definition: A technology used to track the ball’s trajectory and aid umpiring decisions.
Example: “Hawk-Eye showed the ball was missing the stumps.”
Heavy Roller
Definition: A piece of equipment used to flatten the pitch.
Example: “The groundsman used a heavy roller to smooth the surface.”
Leg Gully
Definition: A close-in fielding position on the leg side.
Example: “The fielder stood at leg gully.”
Long Off
Definition: A fielding position far from the batter on the off side.
Example: “The batter cleared the long-off boundary.”
Long On
Definition: A fielding position far from the batter on the leg side.
Example: “The ball went over the fielder at long on.”
Out Swinger
Definition: A type of delivery that moves away from the batter in the air.
Example: “The bowler’s outswinger troubled the batter.”
Pacer
Definition: A fast bowler who relies on speed.
Example: “The pacer bowled consistently at over 140 km/h.”
Reverse Sweep
Definition: A batting shot played by sweeping the ball in the opposite direction.
Example: “The batter used a reverse sweep to confuse the fielders.”
Seam
Definition: The stitched part of the ball; also refers to deliveries that move off the seam after pitching.
Example: “The bowler’s seam movement was difficult to read.”
Short Ball
Definition: A delivery pitched short of a good length, often rising towards the batter.
Example: “The short ball caught the batter off guard.”
Slip Catch
Definition: A catch taken by a fielder positioned in the slips.
Example: “The slip catch was sharp and quick.”
Slog
Definition: A powerful shot played with the intention of scoring quickly.
Example: “The batter slogged the ball over mid-wicket.”
Spin Bowling
Definition: A type of bowling that relies on spin to deceive the batter.
Example: “Spin bowling played a crucial role in the match.”
Third Man
Definition: A fielding position behind the wicket on the off side.
Example: “The ball flew past third man for four runs.”
Top Edge
Definition: When the batter hits the top edge of the bat, often resulting in a catch.
Example: “The batter top-edged the ball to the fielder.”
Umpire
Definition: The official responsible for enforcing the rules on the field.
Example: “The umpire signaled for a no-ball.”
Wagon Wheel
Definition: A graphic representation of a batter’s scoring shots in different directions.
Example: “The batter’s wagon wheel showed strong off-side play.”
Wicketkeeper
Definition: The player who stands behind the stumps to catch or stump the batter.
Example: “The wicketkeeper made an impressive catch.”
Wide Ball
Definition: A delivery that is too far from the batter to hit, called by the umpire as a ‘wide.’
Example: “The umpire signaled a wide ball.”
Wrist Spin
Definition: A style of spin bowling using the wrist to impart spin on the ball.
Example: “His wrist spin was challenging for the batters.”
Zing Bails
Definition: Bails that light up when dislodged from the stumps.
Example: “The zing bails illuminated as the bowler struck the stumps.”
General Idioms and Phrases related to Cricket
- “Hit it out of the park”
Meaning: To achieve something exceptionally well, similar to hitting a six in cricket (or a home run in baseball).
Example: “Her presentation was fantastic—she really hit it out of the park!” - “On the back foot”
Meaning: To be in a defensive or disadvantaged position, similar to when a batter is forced to defend against a tough ball.
Example: “After the surprise audit, the company was on the back foot.” - “Bowled over”
Meaning: To be very impressed or astonished, like a batter who’s completely surprised by a well-delivered ball.
Example: “We were all bowled over by her incredible performance.” - “Sticky wicket”
Meaning: A difficult or tricky situation, similar to a challenging pitch condition in cricket.
Example: “Negotiating with both sides was a real sticky wicket.” - “Throw a googly”
Meaning: To surprise or confuse someone with an unexpected action, just as a googly delivery surprises the batter.
Example: “He threw a googly at us by changing the meeting time at the last minute.” - “Hit for six”
Meaning: To be stunned or deeply affected, just like a bowler is surprised when hit for a six.
Example: “She was hit for six by the sudden news of his departure.” - “Caught out”
Meaning: To be found in the wrong or caught doing something unexpected, like being caught out in cricket.
Example: “He was caught out lying about his qualifications.” - “Level playing field”
Meaning: A fair situation where no one has an advantage, akin to a balanced cricket pitch.
Example: “The new rules create a level playing field for all competitors.” - “Play with a straight bat”
Meaning: To be honest and straightforward, like a batter playing defensively with a straight bat.
Example: “He’s known to play with a straight bat in all his business dealings.” - “In the crease”
Meaning: To be ready or prepared for action, as a batter is when they’re in the crease.
Example: “Make sure you’re in the crease before starting the presentation.” - “Rain stopped play”
Meaning: Something unexpected has halted progress, just as rain halts a cricket game.
Example: “We were all set to go live, but technical issues meant rain stopped play.” - “Stumped”
Meaning: To be completely puzzled or confused, just like a batter stumped by the wicketkeeper.
Example: “I was stumped by the riddle; I couldn’t figure it out at all.” - “Ballpark figure”
Meaning: An approximate number, somewhat related to estimating scores or distances in cricket (and baseball).
Example: “Can you give me a ballpark figure for the project costs?” - “Get off to a flying start”
Meaning: To begin something very successfully, similar to a good opening partnership in cricket.
Example: “The campaign got off to a flying start with record donations.”