This is a general glossary of the terminology used in the sport of cricket. Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this article, they appear in italics. Certain aspects of cricket terminology are explained in more detail in cricket statistics and the naming of fielding positions is explained at fielding (cricket).
Cricket is known for its rich terminology.[1][2][3] Some terms are often thought to be arcane and humorous by those not familiar with the game.[4]
A right-handed bowler passing to the right of the non-striker's stumps in their run-up, and vice versa for a left-handed bowler. The opposite of over the wicket.[10]
A player on the batting side, or one of the two members of the batting side who are currently at the crease, or (in the context of a player's career) a player whose speciality is batting.[1] The masculine 'batsman' was in widest use throughout most of the game's history, but came to be replaced by the gender-neutral 'batter' in general use in the 2010s, then in the Laws of Cricket from 2021.[17][18]
Poor quality bowling which is easy to hit, allowing the batters to help themselves to runs, analogous to a self-service cafeteria or buffet. Occasionally employed deliberately as declaration bowling.
The player who has been appointed leader of their team. The captain decides which bowler will deliver each over, the placement of the fielders, the batting order, when to use the decision review system, whether and when to declare, and many other aspects of the game. The captain's tactical abilities can have a major impact on the outcome of a match. The captain often has substantial responsibilities between games as well, such as in team selection or representing the team in the media.
An opener batting through an entire innings, remaining not out at the conclusion. The rest of the team must be all out (not any other end of innings scenario). Regarded as an excellent performance by the opening batter.[1]
Formally organised cricket played by skilled amateurs. Considered a higher standard of play than purely recreational village cricket, but still lower than professional forms of the sport.
Collective term for multiple fielders in the slips. Sometimes also includes gully.
A run awarded to the batting team that is not credited to a specific batter. These are recorded separately on the scorecard. There are five types: byes, leg byes, wides, no-balls and penalties. Wides and no-balls are also recorded as runs conceded in the bowling analysis, the others are not attributed to the bowler.[1]
An informal version of cricket with sped-up rules, specifically designed to introduce children to the sport.
a fielding position on the boundary directly behind the wicket-keeper, to recover any byes or wides that evade the keeper. Occasionally seen at village cricket level but obsolete in professional cricket.
An invocation of the Umpire Decision Review System, referring the decision to the third umpire for review.[79]
The run rate needed by the batting team to win, in the second innings of a limited overs match. Calculated as the number of runs required for victory (not a tie), divided by the number of overs remaining.[1] Often shown on the scoreboard and updated automatically after each delivery. A high required run rate necessitates more aggressive batting.
A mistimed shot hit almost straight up in the air, to the sky. Usually results in the batter being caught out. Occasionally however the fielder positions themself perfectly to take the catch but misses it or drops it. Such an error is considered very embarrassing for the fielder.
a method of dismissing a batter, in which the wicketkeeper breaks the batter's wicket with the ball while the batter is outside their crease but has not attempted a run
Official system to challenge certain decisions made by an umpire. The third umpire then reviews the decision using various technological aids, such as slow motion television replays, ball tracking, a snickometer etc. A batter may challenge a decision of out, and the captain of the fielding side may challenge a not out decision. Teams are limited in the number of unsuccessful reviews per inning; if they have reached that limit they are permitted no further reviews. The umpires themselves can review run out, caught and no ball decisions, or whether a shot has scored a boundary. Only available in televised games, because the necessary equipment is provided by the broadcaster.
Virtual Eye – or 'Eagle Eye', as it is known in Australia – has been developed by a New Zealand-based company, Animation Research Ltd, and has provided ball-tracking services for series in Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
There is no longer a 'catch-all' sanction, but umpires are instead required to use their best judgement to determine whether a delivery is dangerous. If it is dangerous, it will lead to a first and final warning. If not, it will still be a No ball, but there will be no warning.
daddy hundreds – defined by his batting coach, Graham Gooch, as innings of more than 150
It was a nothing shot – a careless effort. It's amazing how often shots lacking conviction ricochet back onto the stumps.
1 Law 1 The Players 1.1 Law 1.1 - Number of Players Law 1.1 shall be replaced by the following: A match is played between two sides. Each side shall consist of 11 players, one of whom shall be captain. 1.2 Law 1.2 - Nomination of Players Law 1.2 shall be replaced by the following: 1.2.1 Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of 4 substitute fielders in writing to the ICC Match Referee before the toss. No player (member of the playing eleven) may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain. 1.2.2 Only those nominated as substitute fielders shall be entitled to act as substitute fielders during the match, unless the ICC Match Referee, in exceptional circumstances, allows subsequent additions. 1.2.3 All those nominated including those nominated as substitute fielders, must be eligible to play for that particular team and by such nomination the nominees shall warrant that they are so eligible. 1.2.4 In addition, by their nomination, the nominees shall be deemed to have agreed to abide by all the applicable ICC Regulations pertaining to international cricket and in particular, the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (hereafter referred to as the ICC Code of Conduct), the Anti-Racism Code for Players and Player Support Personnel, the Anti-Doping Code and the Anti-Corruption Code.
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