Cricket Glossary đ
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Cricket can seem complicated, but it doesnât have to be! This glossary explains the key words and phrases youâll hear in a cricket game - perfect for beginners, children, or anyone trying to understand the sport.
A - C
All-Rounder
A player who is good at both batting (hitting the ball) and bowling (throwing the ball).
Appeal
When the fielding team shouts to the umpire asking for a decision on whether a batter is out. Often sounds like: "Howzat!"
Bails
The small wooden sticks that sit on top of the stumps. If they fall off, the batter is usually out.
Bat
The wooden stick the batter uses to hit the ball.
Batter
The player trying to hit the ball and score runs.
Boundary
The edge of the cricket field.
- If the ball reaches the boundary but touches the ground first = Four runs!
- If the ball flies over the boundary without bouncing = Six runs! đ
Bowler
The player who throws (or "bowls") the ball to the batter.
Bowled
A way to get out. If the ball hits the stumps and knocks off the bails, the batter is bowled out.
Catch
If a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, the batter is out.
Cover Drive
A classic cricket shot played along the ground, usually towards the "covers" area of the field.
D - F
Duck
When a batter gets out without scoring any runs. (Not an actual duck! đŚ)
Dead Ball
A ball that is no longer in play. Usually happens if the bowler stops during their run-up or the umpire decides the ball doesnât count.
Dot Ball
A ball that the batter doesnât score any runs from.
Drinks Break
A short break in the middle of a long match for players to have a drink.
Edge
When the ball just touches the side of the bat instead of being hit properly. Often caught by the wicketkeeper or slips.
Extras
Runs given to the batting team that arenât scored by the batter. These include wides, no-balls, byes, and leg byes.
Four
When the batter hits the ball to the boundary along the ground. Scores four runs.
G - L
Googly
A tricky type of spin bowling where the ball turns the opposite way to what the batter expects.
Half-Century
When a batter scores 50 runs in an innings.
Hat-Trick
When a bowler gets three batters out with three deliveries in a row. A rare and exciting event!
Helmet
A protective hat worn by the batter to protect against fast balls.
Innings
A team's turn to bat. Cricket matches can have one or two innings per team, depending on the format.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
A way of getting out. If the ball would have hit the stumps, but the batterâs leg is in the way, they might be given out LBW.
Leg Side
The part of the field behind the batterâs legs when they are standing normally.
M - P
Maiden Over
An over (six balls) where the batter doesnât score any runs.
No-Ball
An illegal delivery, often because the bowler overstepped the line or bowled too high. The batting team gets a free run and an extra ball.
Off Side
The part of the field in front of the batterâs body when they stand normally.
Outfield
The grassy area beyond the inner fielding circle, close to the boundary.
Over
A set of six balls bowled by the same bowler. After an over, a new bowler takes over.
Q - T
Quick Bowler
A fast bowler who delivers the ball at high speed, usually above 85 mph (135 km/h).
Review (DRS - Decision Review System)
A way for teams to challenge an umpireâs decision using TV replays.
Run-Out
A way to get out. If a batter is running between the wickets and the ball hits the stumps before they reach safety, they are run out!
Sledging
When players try to distract or annoy the batter with words (sometimes just friendly banter, sometimes not!).
Slip
A fielder who stands behind the batter, waiting to catch the ball if they edge it.
Slog
A big, wild shot aimed at hitting the ball far (often not very controlled!).
Stumps
The three wooden posts that make up the wicket. If they are hit by the ball and the bails fall off, the batter is out.
Toss
A coin flip before the match to decide which team bats or bowls first.
Twenty20 (T20)
A fast and exciting format of cricket where each team only has 20 overs to bat.
U - Z
Umpire
The official who makes decisions on the field. They decide if a batter is out, call no-balls, and control the game.
Wicket
This can mean three things:
1ď¸âŁ The stumps and bails.
2ď¸âŁ A way of getting a batter out.
3ď¸âŁ The pitch itself.
Wicket-Keeper
The player who stands behind the stumps and tries to catch the ball if the batter misses it.
Wide Ball
A ball bowled too far to the side, making it impossible for the batter to hit. The batting team gets an extra run and the bowler must bowl again.
Yorker
A fast delivery that lands right at the batterâs feet, making it difficult to hit. A great weapon for bowlers at the end of an innings!
Want to Learn More?
The best way to pick up these terms? Play Cricket Clash! đđ
A fun, fast way to understand cricket - no TV watching required!
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