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. This means 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. This means 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. This means 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, typically between mid-wicket and square leg.
- Seam BowlingIntermediateSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped. As a result, 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. This means the group of fielders positioned behind the batter on the off side. This means typically 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 by a lot reduced speed. This means usually 20–30 km/h below full pace. This means 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. This means 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. This means under the swinging bat. This means one of the hardest balls to score off and a key death-overs weapon.
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