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Cricket Glossary
Learn the language of Cricket — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
227 terms
- Knuckle Ball (Cricket Slower Ball)AdvancedIn cricket, a knuckle ball is a pace bowler's slower ball gripped with the fingers bent so the knuckles or fingertips sit behind the ball. It comes out with little spin and a wobbling seam. The ball floats, dips and arrives later than the batter expects. Pick it from the hand and keep your shape until it arrives.
- Late CutAdvancedThe late cut is a delicate batting stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump. This uses soft wrists to deflect the ball very fine to third man after it has almost passed the batter.
- Laws of Cricket vs Playing Conditions (Who Makes the Rules)BeginnerMarylebone Cricket Club (MCC) writes the Laws of Cricket and is recognised as their sole authority. Leagues and governing bodies then add their own playing conditions on top. The ICC's playing conditions run international cricket, so Tests, ODIs and T20Is can differ from the Laws in places.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket)BeginnerLBW is a mode of dismissal. Under specific conditions, the umpire can rule the batter leg before wicket. That applies if the ball would have hit the stumps but the batter's pad intercepts it first.
- Leaving the BallBeginnerLeaving the ball means choosing not to play at a delivery and lifting your bat and hands up out of its path. As a result, it goes through to the keeper. Leave balls you judge will miss the stumps, usually those wide of off stump or bouncing over the top. Move your feet into position first, then lift the bat high and keep watching the ball until it passes you.
- Left-Arm Orthodox SpinIntermediateLeft-arm orthodox spin is finger spin from a left-arm bowler. The stock ball turns from leg to off, away from a right-handed batter and into a left-hander. To play it as a right-hander, cover off stump, play with the turn through the off side and watch for the arm ball that goes straight on.
- Left-Arm Wrist SpinAdvancedLeft-arm wrist spin is bowled with the left arm, spinning the ball out of the back of the hand like a leg-spinner. Its stock ball turns from off to leg, into a right-handed batter. Its googly turns away. It used to be called "chinaman". Wisden dropped that term in 2018, and many in the game now avoid it.
- Left-Handed BattingBeginnerBat the way that gives you the most control, whatever hand you write with. Research has found pro batters are much more likely than beginners to bat with their stronger hand on top of the handle. Left-handers face different angles from bowlers. Left-right partnerships make bowlers keep changing their line.
- Leg-CutterAdvancedThe leg-cutter is a pace bowling variation where the ball is cut off the middle and ring fingers to move towards the leg side off the pitch, acting like a slow leg-break.
- Leg-SpinIntermediateLeg-spin is spin bowling where a right-arm bowler spins the ball from leg to off: away from a right-handed batter, or left to right as that batter sees it. The bowler's wrist rotation provides the spin.
- Line in Cricket (Off-Stump, Fourth-Stump and Leg-Stump Lines)BeginnerLine describes how far across the pitch the ball is, from leg side to off side. Common lines are leg stump, middle stump, off stump, and the "fourth stump" and "fifth stump" lines outside off. The fourth stump line is an imaginary stump just outside off stump. Seam bowlers aim there to find edges.
- Lofted DriveIntermediateA 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.
- Making Net Practice CountIntermediateGo into every net with one or two clear goals, such as leaving well outside off stump or rotating the strike against spin. Bat in match scenarios with a target and count your dismissals honestly. A short, focused net with some pressure helps more on match day than a long, aimless hit.
- Match Results (Win, Tie, Draw)BeginnerA cricket match ends in a win, a tie or a draw. A side wins by scoring more runs than the other side does in its completed innings. A tie means every innings is complete and the scores are level. A draw means the match ends without either of those, usually because time runs out in a multi-day game before the side batting last is bowled out or reaches its target.
- Nerves Before BattingBeginnerFeeling nervous before you bat is normal, and a little helps you stay sharp. Get padded up early, watch the bowlers and plan your first few balls. Take slow breaths with a long out-breath. Then focus only on watching the next ball. The aim is to manage nerves, not to get rid of them.
- Nervous NinetiesIntermediateThe nervous nineties is the stage of an innings when a batter's score is between 90 and 99. Batters often tense up as a century gets close. Some freeze and stop scoring, while others rush with a risky shot. The fix is to keep playing the ball in front of you, not the milestone.
- Net Run Rate (NRR)IntermediateNet run rate is your team's runs per over across a competition minus the runs per over scored against you. If you are bowled out early, you count as having used your full quota of overs. ICC events use it to split teams level on points and wins.
- New BallBeginnerThe new ball is a freshly manufactured cricket ball at the start of an innings (or available after a set number of overs). This swings and seams most readily due to its hard, lacquered surface and prominent seam.
- New Batter on Strike After a CatchIntermediateWhen the striker is caught, the not-out batter goes back to their original end (Law 18.11). It makes no difference if the batters crossed while the ball was in the air. So the new batter faces the next ball, unless the catch was the last ball of the over.
- Nicking Off (Edging Behind)IntermediateNicking off is edging a ball outside off stump to the wicket-keeper or slips. It usually comes from playing at balls you could leave, pushing at the ball with hard hands or reaching away from your body. Know your off stump, play late under your eyes with soft hands and leave anything you do not need to play.
- NightwatchmanBeginnerA nightwatchman is a lower-order batter sent in ahead of a specialist batter late in a day's play. The aim is to protect the better batter from getting out in the last few overs. The specialist then starts fresh the next morning. It is a tactic, not a Law.
- No-BallBeginnerA no-ball is an illegal delivery in cricket. Most commonly when the bowler's front foot lands beyond the popping crease — resulting in one extra run and the delivery being re-bowled. The batter cannot be out bowled, caught, LBW, stumped or hit wicket. Run out, hit the ball twice and obstructing the field still apply (Law 21.17).
- Not Out and Carrying the BatBeginnerCarrying the bat means an opening batter is still not out when the rest of the team is all out. They batted through the whole innings. Not out simply means a batter was still in when the innings ended. Scorecards usually show it with an asterisk, such as 45*.
- Obstructing the FieldIntermediateEither batter is out obstructing the field (Law 37) for wilfully obstructing or distracting the fielders by word or action. It includes striking the ball with a hand not holding the bat. That used to be a separate dismissal called 'handled the ball'. It also covers handing the ball back to a fielder without their consent. Accidental contact, or moving to avoid injury, is not out.
- Off DriveBeginnerThe off drive is a front-foot drive that sends a full ball on or just outside off stump wide of the bowler towards mid-off. Lead with your front shoulder and step towards the pitch of the ball. Keep your head over it and swing straight through with a full face, finishing high.
- Off-CutterAdvancedThe off-cutter is a pace bowling variation where the ball is cut off the index finger and middle finger to spin towards the off side off the pitch, acting like a slow off-break without a full-length spin action.
- Off-SpinAdvancedOff-spin is finger-spin bowling that turns the ball from off to leg, toward a right-handed batter. It uses the fingers, not the wrist, and its stock delivery is the off-break.
- Oiling a Cricket BatBeginnerOil a natural-faced bat with light coats of raw linseed oil or a specialist bat oil. Rub it into the face, edges and toe with a cloth, and keep it off the splice and stickers. Let each coat soak in, then wipe off the excess. Too much oil can soften the willow and spoil its performance.
- On DriveIntermediateThe on drive is a classical front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on middle or leg stump. It sends the ball through the mid-on region on the leg side.
- One-Day International (ODI)BeginnerA one-day international is an international match where each team bats once, for up to 50 overs. Each bowler can bowl no more than 10 overs. The fielding side is limited to two fielders outside the 30-yard circle in overs 1 to 10, four in overs 11 to 40 and five in overs 41 to 50. A tie is settled by a Super Over.
- Open Batting Stance (Chest-On Stance)IntermediateAn open batting stance turns your chest towards the bowler, with your front foot pulled back towards the leg side. Many T20 batters use it to see the ball with both eyes and to set a wide, stable base for hitting. It works in any format if you still turn side-on for off-side shots.
- Opening Batter (Opening the Batting)IntermediateOpening batters bat first and face the new ball. To be a good opener, build a tight defence, know where your off stump is and leave well early on. Talk with your partner, run hard and score from bad balls. In limited-overs cricket, openers also use the powerplay to score while the field is up.
- Out-SwingIntermediateOut-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from leg to off (away from the body of a right-handed batter), enticing an edge towards the slip cordon.
- Outfield PlayBeginnerOutfield play refers to fielding beyond the inner ring near the boundary, where players must intercept, chase, slide, and throw powerfully to prevent boundaries and effect run-outs.
- Over and Maiden OverBeginnerAn over is a set of six valid balls bowled by one bowler from one end. Wides and no balls do not count toward the six, so an over can contain more than six deliveries. A maiden over is an over in which no runs are charged to the bowler. Byes and leg byes do not spoil a maiden, but a run off the bat, a wide or a no ball does.
- Over-Striding and Lunging When BattingIntermediateYou are over-striding if your front foot lands so far down the pitch that your head stays behind it and your weight is stuck between your feet. You then lunge with the arms and lose balance. A good drive has the head over the front knee, with the stride matched to the length of the ball.
- Overthrows in CricketBeginnerOverthrows are extra runs scored when a fielder's throw misses its target and the batters keep running. The ball stays in play until it is dead, so the batters can add more runs. If a throw at the stumps crosses the boundary, the side gets the boundary allowance plus runs already completed.
- Paddle SweepIntermediateA paddle sweep is a gentle sweep that deflects the ball fine down the leg side, behind square towards fine leg. Get down on one knee with your front leg stretched towards the ball. Hold the bat almost flat and angled, then guide the ball using its own pace. It needs a precise angle more than power.
- Pair and King PairBeginnerA pair is getting out for nought in both innings of a two-innings match, such as a Test. A king pair, also called a golden pair, is out first ball for nought in both innings. Both are two ducks in one match, so you only hear of them in formats where each side bats twice.
- Penalty Runs (5-Run Penalty)IntermediateUmpires award 5 penalty runs for unfair play. The batting side gets them when a fielder fields illegally or fakes a fielding action to fool the batters. They also get them when the ball hits a fielding helmet left on the ground. The fielding side gets 5 runs for some batting offences, such as damaging the pitch.
- Pink Ball and Day-Night Test CricketIntermediateThe pink ball is used in day-night Test matches, where play continues under floodlights. Batters often find it harder to see, especially at dusk. In a survey of elite players, the pink ball was rated less visible than the red ball when batting and fielding. It was rated hardest to see at dusk under lights.
- Pitch Slang: Featherbed, Road, Sticky Wicket, ShooterBeginnerA featherbed is a soft, slow pitch with predictable bounce, and a road is a very hard, flat pitch. Both are great for batting. A sticky wicket is a difficult wet pitch. A shooter is a ball that skids low after pitching, and a grubber barely bounces at all.
- Play and Miss (Beaten Outside Off)BeginnerBeaten outside off means the batter played at a ball outside off stump and missed it, often by a whisker past the outside edge. It is also called a play and miss. It usually comes from a ball that swings or seams away, or from chasing a ball wide of the body.
- Playing Fast BowlingIntermediateTo play fast bowling, finish any trigger movement before the ball is released so you are still and balanced. Watch the ball from the hand, decide forward or back early and play the ball late under your eyes. Leave balls outside off stump and have a clear plan for the short ball.
- Playing Spin BowlingIntermediateTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- Playing Swing and Seam BowlingIntermediateTo play swing and seam bowling, know where your off stump is and leave balls you do not need to play. Watch the seam and shine in the bowler's hand, then play late under your eyes with a straight bat and soft hands. Let the ball come to you instead of reaching for it.
- Playing the Ball LateIntermediatePlaying the ball late means meeting it close to your body, under your eyes, instead of reaching out in front for it. Your feet and backlift still move early. Only the contact happens late. It gives swing and seam less chance to beat you. It also keeps any edges soft.
- Plumb (Plumb LBW)BeginnerPlumb LBW means an LBW so clear that nobody can argue with it. The ball pitched in line, hit the batter in line with the stumps and was going on to hit them. Batters given out plumb usually walk off, because a review would almost never save them.
- Power Hitting (Six Hitting)IntermediatePower hitting comes from a stable base, a still head and fast bat speed through the ball, not from swinging harder with the arms. Read the length early and clear your front leg if you need room. Swing through the line with a full face and full extension.
- PowerplayBeginnerA powerplay is a set of overs in limited-overs cricket when the fielding side may have only a few fielders outside the 30-yard circle. In T20 internationals the first six overs allow two fielders outside it. In one-day internationals, overs 1 to 10 allow two, overs 11 to 40 allow four and overs 41 to 50 allow five. Other competitions can set their own versions, so check your playing conditions.
- Practising Batting Alone at HomeBeginnerYou can do a lot of batting work alone. Try shadow batting in front of a mirror, a hanging ball or ball in a sock, and drives off a batting tee into a net. Hitting a tennis ball off a wall works your reactions. Use a soft or tennis ball at home, and give each session one clear focus.
- Premeditation (Planting the Front Foot Early)IntermediatePremeditation means deciding your shot or foot movement before you have seen the ball. Planting the front foot early is the classic example. It leaves you stuck forward to a short ball or across the line to a straight one. Read the length first, then move.
- Pull ShotIntermediateThe pull shot is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short-pitched ball. It swings the ball around to the leg side, usually between mid-wicket and square leg.
- Ramp and Scoop ShotsAdvancedA ramp or scoop deflects the ball over the wicket-keeper or the fine fielders, using the bowler's pace. Set up early and get low, open the bat face and get under the ball so it rises over your shoulder. Always wear a helmet with a faceguard. A miss or a top edge can hit the face.
- Retired Hurt and Retired OutBeginnerRetired out means a batter chose to leave the field for a reason other than injury or illness, and did not come back. Retired hurt, recorded as retired not out, means they left because of injury, illness or another unavoidable cause. A retired-hurt batter may resume. A retired-out batter may resume only with the opposing captain's consent.
- Reverse SweepAdvancedThe reverse sweep is an attacking stroke where the batter kneels on the front knee and sweeps the ball to the off side. It is the mirror image of the conventional sweep.
- Reverse SwingAdvancedReverse swing is a phenomenon where an old, asymmetrically worn ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing, deceiving batters conditioned to expect conventional movement.
- Run Chase and Required Run RateIntermediateIn a run chase, the required run rate is the runs you still need divided by the overs left. To pace a chase, break it into small targets, keep wickets in hand and avoid long runs of dot balls. Plan to attack harder when you have batters to come and fewer overs left.
- Run OutBeginnerA run out happens when a fielder puts down the wicket while a batter is out of their ground, whether or not a run is being attempted (Law 38.1). The batter is out.
- Running Out the Non-Striker (Mankad)IntermediateThe bowler can run out a non-striker who leaves their crease too early. If the non-striker is out of their ground before the bowler's arm reaches the top of the normal delivery swing. The bowler may break the wicket by hand or with a throw. It is a legal run out under Law 38.3, often called 'Mankading'. Once the bowler's arm passes that point, it is too late.
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