Essential Cricket Terms
Understanding cricket can be challenging for newcomers due to its unique terminology. This glossary covers common cricket terms and phrases to help you get started with the game.
Batting Terms
- Innings
- The period in which a team or player bats.
- Run
- The basic unit of scoring in cricket, achieved by the batsmen running between the wickets.
- Boundary
- When the ball reaches or crosses the edge of the field, resulting in automatic runs (4 or 6).
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
- A way of dismissing a batsman if the ball would have hit the stumps but was intercepted by the batsman's body.
- Duck
- When a batsman is dismissed without scoring any runs.
Bowling Terms
- Over
- A set of six consecutive legal deliveries bowled by one bowler.
- Wicket
- The set of three stumps and two bails, or the dismissal of a batsman.
- Yorker
- A ball bowled that lands directly at the batsman's feet.
- Bouncer
- A short-pitched delivery that bounces up to chest or head height of the batsman.
- Spin
- A bowling technique where the ball is made to rotate, causing it to deviate upon bouncing.
Fielding Terms
- Slip
- Fielding positions behind the batsman, close to the wicket-keeper.
- Catch
- When a fielder catches the ball directly from the bat before it touches the ground, dismissing the batsman.
- Run Out
- When a batsman is dismissed by the fielding team breaking the wicket while the batsman is out of their ground.
- Stumping
- When the wicket-keeper breaks the wicket while the batsman is out of their ground.
Match Terms
- Test Match
- The longest format of cricket, played over five days between national teams.
- ODI (One Day International)
- A match format limited to 50 overs per innings, typically completed in a single day.
- T20 (Twenty20)
- A short format of cricket with each team batting for a maximum of 20 overs.
- DRS (Decision Review System)
- A technology-based system allowing teams to challenge umpire decisions.
Cricket Field Positions
A visual guide to common fielding positions in cricket.
Beginner's Tip
Don't worry if you can't remember all these terms right away. Focus on understanding the basic rules and enjoy watching the game. As you continue to follow cricket, these terms will become second nature.