Aggregate Attack

Refers to the total number of runs made, Refers to the variety of available bowlers
catches taken or dismissals completed by a at the disposal of the fielding captain.
player during a season or career.
Average
Agricultural Shot The total figure reached by computation of
A batting stroke which is anything other a batsmans run scoring performance
than standard or copybook. measured against the number of deliveries
faced or a bowlers performance measure
All Rounder against the number of runs conceded as
Refers to a player who is good at both compared to the number of wickets taken.
batting and bowling.
Away Swinger
Appeal Also known as the out swinger. A ball
A plea made to the umpire by the fielding moving from the line of the stumps at the
side when they believe a decision is bowlers end, towards the slips area.
needed to clarify whether a batsman has
been dismissed. Back Foot
Refers to the movement of the batsman
Arm who has placed his cetre of gravity onto
Used to describe the accuracy and strength the back foot. Usually occurring as a result
of a fielder who is very good at returning a of a rising delivery. Generally a defensive
ball from the outfield. IE: The player may batting technique, but occassionaly used to
be described as having a good "arm". attack the ball.

Arm Ball Back Up

A ball delivered by a spin bowler which Refers to the batsman at the bowling end
swings in the direction of the follow who leaves his crease after the bowler has
through delivery arm. released the ball in preparation for making
a run.
Armguard
Protective padding located on the Baggy Green
batsmans front forearm. The name given to the Cap worn by the
Australian players. It refers to the baggy,
Artificial Pitch oversized appearance of the cap, the colour
A pitch with a surface made from concrete, of which is dark green.
covered with matting or constructed from
synthetic turf. Regulation pitches are Bails
produced from rolled turf. The two small pieces of moulded timber
which sit atop the stumps.
Ashes
A small wooden urn containing the ashes Ball
of a burnt bail from the 1882 Australia v Consisting of a leather case with a cork
England test series. The urn is interior generally bound with fine cord.
representative of the "death" of cricket,
said to have occurred as a result of an Bat
Australian victory in the 1882 match. The The implement used by the batsman to
Ashes, have since become a prized trophy strike the ball and defend his wicket.
contested every 2 years in the Ashes series Generally manufactured from timber, with
played between Australia and England.
a preference given by bat makers to Bouncer
Willow. A bowling delivery of fast pace and
pitched short with the purpose of rising to
Bat-Pad around chest height when arriving at the
Refers to a close in fieldsman who is batsman.
waiting for a ball that after striking the bat,
comes off the pad and rises into the air. Boundary
Denotes the outer limit of the playing area.
Batsman Also used to describe a stroke by the
A player who uses a bat to hit, edge, snick batsman which immediately results in 4
or guide the ball after it has been bowled, runs.
usually for the purpose of scoring runs
during a match or game, but often also to Bowl
practice the art and skills of batting. To deliver the ball in a manner determined
to be legal by the umpire.
Batsman's Paradise
Refers to a pitch that will clearly favour Bowler
the batting side. Refers to a player who primarily excels at
delivering a ball to a batsman or a player
Batting in the process of delivering the ball.
The process of using the bat for the
making of runs or defending the wicket. Bowling Crease
Refers to the line which runs directly
Batting Crease through the area at the base of the stumps
Also known as the Popping crease, this and for 48 inches either side and bounded
term refers to the line located 48 inches in by the return crease. See Diagram
front of the stumps and denotes the
batsman's safe ground. If a batsman is Bowling Machine
within his batting crease, he cannot be A mechanical device used to deliver the
stumped or run out. See Diagram ball to a batsman. Can only be used during
practice or training drills.
Beamer
A bowling delivery aimed at the head of Box
the batsman. The protective device worn by male
players to protect the genitals. See Picture
Beaten
When a batsman attempts to strike the ball Break
with the bat and fails to contact it. He is A delivery that spins to either side of the
said to have been "beaten" by either the pitch after leaving the surface.
pace or skill of the delivery.
Bump Ball
Bite A ball that canons into the ground
The amount of turn a spin bowler can immediately after leaving the bat and to
obtain from the surface of the pitch. the appearance of fieldsmen and spectators
looks to have come directly off the bat.
Block
The position taken by the batsman when Bye
waiting for a ball to be bowled. Can also A run generally scored through any means
be used to describe a defensive batting other than being struck by the bat.
stroke.
Call wear. A crumbling pitch is often favoured
Either a confirmation or refusal that a run by a spin bowler, as it will allow the ball
should be taken by a batsman in order to more bite and turn.
alert his partner. Usually shouted as a
"Yes" "No" or "Wait" Cut
In batting, refers to a stroke played to the
Cap off side between the covers area and the
The peaked head dress normally worn by a wicketkeeper. In bowling, refers to the
team member and showing the colours and deviation of a delivery, caused by the
or team logo. bowler imparting varying types of spin on
the ball. These type of deliveries are
Caught Behind referred to as "cutters" either leg cutter or
A ball caught by the wicketkeeper after off cutter.
being struck by the batsman.

Cherry
Refers to a new ball because of its bright Deep
red cherry coloured appearance. Refers to the farthest outfield. A fieldsman
in the deep, is either at or near the point
Chinaman boundary. See Diagram
A delivery by a left arm spinner which to a
right hand batsman appears as if it will Dig In
spin from off to leg, however , spins in the The act of a batsman ensuring he remains
opposite direction. Devised by a West at the crease for a long period, rather than
Indian player of Chinese descent. attack and risk his wicket by attempting to
score frequent runs.
Chucker
A bowler who the umpire has determined, Drawing the Stumps
not to have delivered the ball in a legal The physical act by an umpire of
manner. withdrawing the stumps from the pitch at
the close of the day's play.
Clean Bowled
When a batsman is beaten by a ball and Drinks
subsequently dismissed through the A refreshment break during a session of
stumps being broken. play where fluids are brought onto the
ground.
Close
Refers to a declaration by the batting team Duck
of a closure to an innings or the end of the A score of zero believed to have got its
days play. name from the shape of the numeral for
zero and the fact it resembles a duck's egg.
Cover Drive
An attacking batting stroke directed Edge
towards the covers area or the protective The outermost perimeter of the bat. Also
covering placed over the pitch during refers to a ball only just struck by the edge
adverse weather conditions. of the bat by a batsman. Sometimes called
a "snick".
Crumble
Refers to the state of the pitch, usually late
in a game after experiencing considerable
Feather may have been first used by Clarrie
A very faint edge of a ball by the batsman, Grimmet.
aka a "snick".
Follow On
Field The requirement by the fielding Captain
The ground or oval on which a match is for the batting team to immediately bat
played. Also refers to the placement of again after being dismissed during its first
fieldsmen within the playing area. See innings and not having met the total of the
Diagram opposing side at the close of the first days
play.
Fieldsman
A player strategically placed within the Full Blooded
field of play, with the object of stopping A batting stroke played with the full
the batting team from scoring runs. physical power of the batsman.
Fielding Positions Diagram
Full Toss
Fiery A bowling delivery which reaches the
A hostile, generally fast pace bowler, who batsman without first having struck the
bowls a succession of usually short pitched pitch.
deliveries.
Gardening
Finger Spin The act of a batsman patting down with
A method used by a bowler to deliver a the tip of his bat, either loose areas of pitch
ball which will spin off the surface of a or pieces of the playing surface that have
pitch. The spin on the ball is imparted with come apart.
the use of a finger or the fingers.
Golden Duck
Flannels When a batsman is dismissed by the very
The cream coloured clothing worn by a first ball he faces without scoring.
cricketer.
Good Eye
Flat The ability of a batsman to assess and
Generally refers to the condition of a pitch sight a delivery much quicker than would
which has an even surface without much normally occur.
bounce.
Good Length
Flight A bowling delivery that pitches is such a
The loop in the path of the ball after being position, it will confuse the batsman as to
bowled by the spin bowler into the breeze, whether the ball should be played off the
which will cause it to drop sharply onto front or back foot.
the pitch with the hope of deceiving the
batsman. Googly
This is a delivery by a right arm spin
Flipper bowler which to a right hand batsman
A delivery used by a leg spin bowler appears as if it will spin from leg to off,
which presents to the batsman in a flatter however, spins in the opposite direction.
and faster delivery to the normal leg spin Thanks: Steven Dear
delivery. This delivery is believed to have
been devised by Australia's Richie Benaud.
But, some anecdotal evidence suggests it
Groundsman unplayable. The term is thought to
The person who prepares and maintains originate from the sweet (candy) of the
the pitch and playing field. same name, which is a small orange
coloured chocolate filled ball. It may also
Grubber come from the fruit of the same name, an
A bowling delivery that stays very low orange known as the Jaffa, which is a very
after leaving the surface of the pitch. sweet seedless variety.

Half Volley
A bowling delivery which pitches in such
a position that the batsman is able to strike Knock
the ball almost immediately it leaves the A term used to describe the batting innings
surface of the pitch. of an individual player.

Hat-Trick Leg (Leg Side)

When a bowler is able to manage 3 The part of the field which is behind the
dismissals from 3 consecutive deliveries batsman when he faces the bowler when
in the same match. batting. Also known as the On side.

Hit Wicket LBW - Leg Before Wicket

To strike and subsequently break the Better known as Leg Before Wicket. This
stumps with the bat resulting in the is a method of dismissal where the ball
batsman’s dismissal. when having been bowled would normally
strike the stumps if not for the fact it
Hook (Shot) strikes the batsman’s leg first.
A batting stroke played to the on side as a
result of a short pitched delivery from the Leg Break
bowler. A delivery from a spin bowler, which turns
off the surface of the wicket from the leg
Howzat side to the off side.
Also stated as "Hows That?" when the
fielding side is appealing fro a dismissal. Leg Cutter
First used by the Australians. A delivery from a pace bowler which
deviates from the leg side to the off side
Infield after leaving the surface of the pitch.
The grouping of fieldsman normally
placed with 30-40 metres of the batsman. Length
See Fielding Diagram Used to describe the part of the pitch
where the ball either struck or would have
Innings struck prior to reaching the batsman.
The period of time spent batting by a team
or individual. Lofted (Lofted Shot)
A delivery struck in such a way it travels
In Swinger high in the air for some distance.
A delivery from a bowler which deviates
from the leg side to the off side. Maiden
When applied to a bowler, describes an
Jaffa over where no runs have been scored by
A slang term used to describe a delivery the batsman from any delivery. For
bowled so well by the bowler it is batsman, it refers to a maiden innings or
maiden century, both being the very first Over
occasion of each. The set number of balls bowled by a
bowler. An over consists of 6 balls. The
Mental Disintegration term “Over” is also called by the umpire
A term believed to have been first used by when the bowler has completed his 6 balls.
Australian Captain Steve Waugh, to
describe the art of sledging. Over the Wicket
Used to describe the bowling action of the
Middle Order bowler when the delivery arm follows
Refers to the batting positions or batsmen through on the side closest to the stumps.
numbered between 5 and 7. The opposite term is Around the wicket,
which describes the bowling action of a
Nets bowler when the delivery arm follows
Generally applied to any area where through on the side furthest from the
cricket is practised. These areas are stumps.
normally surrounded by netting, therefore
leading to the term nets. Overthrow
Describes the extra runs scored when a
New Ball ball is missed by the fielder or
Simply, a completely new ball yet to be wicketkeeper when returned to the stumps
used in play, or one which has not been by a fielder.
used for many overs.
Pace (Bowling - Bowler)
Nightwatchman Describes all types of bowling other than
A player sent into bat who generally bats spin bowling. Can vary from medium to
down the bottom of the order, but, is fast pace.
promoted up the order usually near the end
of a days play when a wicket has fallen. Pad
A protective device used to protect the legs
Non Striker of both batsmen and wicketkeepers from
A term used to describe the batsman being struck by the ball. Can also decsribe
waiting at the bowlers end. the manner in which a batsman may
deflect the ball away from the stumps by
Notch thrusting the leg and striking the ball.
The original word used for a run. So
called, because a notch was made in a Partnership
piece of wood to record a run. Every tenth Refers to the batting performance by two
notch would be cut much deeper than the particular batsmen whilst batting together
others to make final tallying of the score during any particular innings. Or to the
much easier. cumulative score made by two partnering
batsmen.
Off (Side)
The area immediately to the front of the Pick
batsman when waiting for the bowler to In batting, refers to the ability of the
deliver a ball. batsman to visually observe the type of
delivery about to be bowled by a bowler.
Outfield In bowling, refers to a method adopted by
The part of the playing surface of the arena bowlers to lift the seam of a cricket ball to
closest to the boundary. See Fielding gain an unfair advantage (cheat).
Diagram
Pie Thrower Session
A slang term used to describe a bowler of Refers to a period of play during a cricket
poor quality. match.

Pitch Sightscreen
A term also used to describe the wicket A screen placed near the boundary behind
where the batting and bowling is the line of the bowlers arm in order to aid
performed. Wickets must be 22 yards in the batsman’s sighting of the ball when
length to comply with the Laws of Cricket. bowled.
See Pitch Diagram
Silly
Plumb Refers to any fielding position that is
When a batsman is standing directly in the located very close to the batsman.
line of the stumps.
Sitter
Quickie Refers to a catch that would under normal
A term used to describe a bowler of fast circumstances be considered to be very
pace. easy.

Return Skipper
The throw by a fielder of the ball to either The Captain of a cricket team.
the wicketkeeper or the non strikers end.
Sledge
Run To use either abusive or offensive words
The method of scoring during a game of against an opponent. The Aussies refer to
cricket. Also a single unit of score. this practice as “Mental Disintegration.”
The term sledge, was a shortened term
Runner taken from the Australian saying “as subtle
A player dressed in full batting equipment as a sledgehammer.”
called to act as the runner for an injured
batsman. A runner is only permitted to run Slow Wicket
for the injured batsman, who is still Describes a pitch is in such a physical
required to face the bowling. state, it offers no advantage to a pace
bowler, however, a considerable advantage
Run Out to a spin bowler.
A method of dismissing the batsman by
disturbing the stumps before the batsman Sticks
has made his ground and is within the A slang term used for the stumps.
batting crease.
Sticky Wicket
Seam (Bowler - Bowling) Describes a pitch, which although dry on
Refers to a bowler who can cause a ball to the surface, has underlying soft patches.
strike the pitch on the seam of the ball, This type of wicket is generally a difficult
thereby causing it to deviate in its delivery playing surface for batsman as it can cause
path prior to reaching the batsman. a ball to behave unpredictably. Most pitch
preparation practices have all but done
Selectors away with these type of pitches, which
A group of officials appointed for the were once very common in England and
purpose of picking the players to represent Australia.
a cricket team.
Streaker Wicket
A slang term given to a person who runs This term has many different uses. It can
across the cricket field naked. refer to the batting and bowling area, a
dismissal by a bowler or the stumps.
Strike (Striker)
The name given to the batsman who is Wicket Maiden
facing the bowler. The batsman is said to An over in which the bowler has taken a
be "on strike". wicket without a batsman scoring runs.

Stumps Yorker
The three upright timber sticks at A bowling delivery that generally passes
each end of the pitch. Sitting atop under the bat near to a batsman’s toes.
each set of stumps are two bails. Also known as a Sandshoe Crusher.
A term also used to describe the
end of a days play. See Stumps
Measurements

Sundries
Refers to any run scored by any means
other than from the bat.

Tail
Generally refers to the last 4 batsman on
the batting side.

Test
A cricket match of International standard
lasting for 5 days.

Toe
Refers to the very bottom edge of the bat.

Toss
The toss of a coin is used to determine
whether a particular team will initially bat
or bowl to open a match.

Twelfth Man
An extra player chosen for a team to act as
a substitute filedsman in the event one is
called for. The twelfth man is generally not
permitted to bat or bowl.

Walk
Generally used by a batsman to indicate
his acceptance of a dismissal without
waiting for the decision of an umpire. The
physical act of walking away from the
stumps. It was once the usual practice, but
is now very uncommon.