Skip to main content
Cricket Glossary
Learn the language of Cricket — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
23 terms
- Bottom HandIntermediateIn cricket batting, the bottom hand is the lower hand on the bat handle (for a right-hander, the right hand) and controls the power and direction of cross-bat strokes — too dominant. It closes the bat face and causes off-side trouble.
- BouncerIntermediateA bouncer is a fast, short-pitched delivery that rears up toward the batter's head or chest, used to intimidate, disrupt balance, and set up the fuller ball.
- Cover DriveIntermediateThe cover drive is an elegant front-foot stroke that sends a full ball outside off stump through the cover region, between point and mid-off.
- Direct Hit Run-OutIntermediateA direct hit run-out is when a fielder throws the ball and hits the stumps directly — without the ball being relayed through the wicket-keeper — to dismiss a batter who is short of their crease.
- Diving StopIntermediateA diving stop is a fielding technique where the player launches themselves horizontally through the air to stop a ball that is beyond their standing reach, often preventing a certain boundary.
- FlickIntermediateThe flick is an attacking wrist stroke played to a full ball on the leg side. This uses a strong wrist roll to whip the ball to the mid-wicket or square-leg area.
- GlanceIntermediateThe glance (or leg glance) is a wristy deflection played to a ball on the leg side, angling the bat face to direct the ball fine to leg without force.
- Hook ShotIntermediateThe hook shot is an attacking batting stroke played to a short-pitched, rising ball aimed at the body or head — the batter pivots and whips the ball to the leg side, often in front of square.
- In-SwingIntermediateIn-swing is conventional swing bowling where the ball curves in the air from off to leg (in towards the body of a right-handed batter), often targeting the stumps or pads.
- JudgmentIntermediateJudgment in cricket batting is the ability to quickly decide which deliveries to play and which to leave, choosing the right shot for each ball bowled.
- Leg-SpinIntermediateLeg-spin is a type of spin bowling where a right-arm bowler spins the ball from leg to off (from right to left as seen by the batter). This uses wrist rotation to impart heavy clockwise topspin.
- On DriveIntermediateThe on drive is a classical front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on middle or leg stump. This sends the ball through the mid-on region on the leg side.
- 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.
- Pull ShotIntermediateThe pull shot is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short-pitched ball, swinging it around to the leg side, usually between mid-wicket and square leg.
- Seam BowlingIntermediateSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped so the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam. This causes it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.
- Slip CatchingIntermediateSlip catching is the specialist fielding skill of catching edges from the bat in the slip cordon — the group of fielders positioned behind the batter on the off side — usually requiring exceptional reflexes and soft hands.
- Slog SweepIntermediateThe slog sweep is a powerful, high-risk batting stroke where the batter sweeps a short-pitched or good-length ball over deep mid-wicket, aiming to hit it out of the ground for six.
- Slower BallIntermediateThe slower ball is a variation delivery bowled by a pace bowler at significantly reduced speed — usually 20–30 km/h below full pace — to deceive a batter expecting the standard pace.
- Square CutIntermediateThe square cut is a back-foot, cross-bat stroke played to a short, wide ball outside off stump, slashing it square on the off side toward point.
- Straight DriveIntermediateThe straight drive is a front-foot attacking stroke played to a full ball on or just outside off stump. This sends the ball back past the bowler straight down the ground.
- Throwing Mechanics – FieldingIntermediateThrowing mechanics in cricket fielding refers to the technique for generating an accurate, powerful, low-trajectory throw from the outfield or inner ring to the wicket-keeper or bowler's end stumps.
- Top HandIntermediateIn cricket batting, the top hand is the upper hand on the bat handle (for a right-hander, the left hand) and controls straight-bat strokes. A strong top hand keeps the bat face straight through the hitting zone.
- YorkerIntermediateA yorker is a delivery bowled to pitch right at the batter's feet — under the swinging bat — one of the hardest balls to score off and a key death-overs weapon.
See these terms in your own swing
SwingVantage analyzes your swing against these benchmarks — free to start.
Analyze My Swing Free