Learning Cricket Terms: Part 1
With Cricket being traced as far back as 1550, it's fair to say that many terms have been created for the sport. If you're new to the game, and haven't fully got to grips with the wording and phrases then we've got you covered. This list of terms is a starter to getting used to words you might hear commentators or coaches say. Some may be simple and some you might be discovering for the first time:
In cricket, a Wicket is a set of three stumps, that includes two small pieces of wood called bails, which are used to check if a ball has hit the wicket to therefore get a batter out.
In cricket, a Crease is an area outlined with white lines, used to define where the batsmen and bowlers operate.
In cricket, a Duck is when a batsman is dismissed, resulting in a store of zero.
In cricket, a Bouncer is a type of ball delivery, where the ball bounces once and reaches the batter at head-height.
In cricket, a Yorker is a type of ball delivery, where the ball hits the area around the batsman’s feet.
In cricket, an Over is when six legal ball deliveries have occurred, after which the fielding team switches ends and a different bowler, from the opposite end, is selected to bowl.
In cricket, the Gully fielder position is behind and to the right slightly of the striker.
In cricket, a Silly Point is a fielding position square, where you are in danger of being injured as a result of being very close to the batsman.
In cricket, a Beamer is a type of ball delivery, where, without bouncing, the ball reaches the batter above waist height.
In cricket, a Maiden over is when no runs are scored over the course of a full over.
In cricket, the Third Man position is beyond the gully and slip areas, behind the wicket keeper on the off side.
In cricket, Innings are the period during one player’s or team’s turn to bat or bowl.
In cricket, a Slip is a position for fielders, which is next to the wicket keeper, behind the batter.
In cricket, the Cover Drive is a type of shot where the ball is hit on the off side.
In cricket, Leg Spin is a type of ball delivery, where the bowler uses their right-hand wrist to impart spin onto the ball.
In cricket, the Boundary can define the perimeter of the field, the rope that defines that perimeter, or a shot which at least reaches that rope.
In cricket, an All-rounder is a type of player who specialises in both bowling and batting.
If you’re interested in learning more about these terms, there are many related courses available via the Liam Plunkett Player Academy, for instance the Spin Bowling Basics Course to help you with how to get a spin bowl, or you could learn about all of the basics with The Basics Course. We're always looking to help increase the cricket knowledge of our students, so keep an eye out for future blog posts covering more terms.
