Dolly (An Easy Catch)
Also known as: dolly catch, a dolly in cricket, dropped a dolly, sitter catch, easy catch in cricket, simple catch dropped
A dolly is a very easy catch, often a gentle lob that floats straight to a fielder. Batters give one away with a mistimed shot. Dropping a dolly is one of the most painful moments in cricket, so fielders must still watch the ball all the way into their hands.
For a batter, a dolly usually comes from a weak shot. The ball comes off the bat slowly and loops up. Common causes are playing too early, a leading edge or checking a drive halfway through.
For a fielder, easy catches are often dropped because they seem too simple. The fielder relaxes, takes their eyes off the ball or snatches at it. Good technique still matters. Get your body in line, make a cup with soft hands and watch the ball into them.
People sometimes call it a sitter too. Both words mean a catch that should be taken almost every time.
Tips by skill level
Practise easy catches as well as hard ones. Watch every ball right into your hands.
If you give away dollies often, film your drives. Checking the shot usually shows up as the bat stopping early.
Example
A batter checks a drive and the ball floats gently to mid-off. The fielder watches it into his hands and the bowler celebrates.
Why it matters
Batters who give away dollies need to fix their shot choice. Fielders who drop them hand the batting side a second chance.
Common mistakes
- Relaxing because the catch looks easy
- Snatching at the ball with hard hands
- Taking your eyes off the ball at the last moment
- Checking a shot halfway through and popping it up
Frequently asked questions
What is a dolly catch?
A dolly is a very easy catch, such as a gentle lob straight to a fielder. It should be held almost every time.
Why do fielders drop easy catches?
Usually they relax, snatch at the ball or look away too early. Watch the ball all the way and use soft hands.
Sources
Related terms
- CaughtCaught is a way of being out in cricket. The batter is out when a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, after it has come off the bat or a glove on the hand holding the bat (Laws 33.1 and 5.6).
- Catching PositionA catching position in cricket is the stance and body alignment a fielder adopts while waiting for a possible catch — soft knees, hands in front, eyes on the ball — to maximise reaction time and secure the catch.
- Edges: Inside, Outside, Thick and LeadingAn edge is when the ball hits the side of the bat instead of the face. An outside edge flies towards the keeper and slips. An inside edge deflects towards your pad, stumps or fine leg. A thick edge takes a lot of the edge and a thin or feather edge barely touches it. A leading edge balloons up off the front edge.
- Lofted DriveA lofted drive lifts the ball over the fielders instead of along the ground. Get close to the pitch of the ball, keep your head still and swing through the line with a full face and a high finish. Choose a full ball and check the field first. Decide whether you only need to clear the infield or go all the way.
- Slip CatchingSlip catching is the specialist skill of catching edges in the slip cordon, the fielders placed behind the batter on the off side. It usually takes exceptional reflexes and soft hands.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.