NO BALL THE REAL FACT

Law 24 (No ball)

WHAT LAW SAYS

1. Mode of delivery
(a) The umpire shall ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right handed or left handed, over or round the wicket, and shall so inform the striker.
It is unfair if the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in his mode of delivery. In this case the umpire shall call and signal No ball.
(b) Underarm bowling shall not be permitted except by special agreement before the match.
Video: An explanation of the 2010 change to Law 24


2. Fair delivery - the arm
For a delivery to be fair in respect of the arm the ball must not be thrown. See 3 below
Although it is the primary responsibility of the striker’s end umpire to assess the fairness of a delivery in this respect, there is nothing in this Law to debar the bowler’s end umpire from calling and signalling No ball if he considers that the ball has been thrown.
(a) If, in the opinion of either umpire, the ball has been thrown, he shall call and signal No ball and, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
(i) caution the bowler. This caution shall apply throughout the innings.
(ii) inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.
(iii) inform the batsmen at the wicket of what has occurred.
(b) If, after such caution, either umpire considers that, in that innings, a further delivery by the same bowler is thrown, the procedure set out in (a) above shall be repeated, indicating to the bowler that this is a final warning.
This warning shall also apply throughout the innings.
(c) If either umpire considers that, in that innings, a further delivery by the same bowler is thrown, he shall call and signal No ball and when the ball is dead inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
(i) direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler forthwith. The over shall, if applicable, be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled the previous over or part thereof nor be allowed to bowl any part of the next over.
The bowler thus suspended shall not bowl again in that innings.
(ii) inform the batsmen at the wicket and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the occurrence.
(d) The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the fielding side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and the bowler concerned.
3. Definition of fair delivery - the arm
A ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowler’s arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from flexing or rotating the wrist in the delivery swing.
4. Bowler throwing towards striker’s end before delivery
If the bowler throws the ball towards the striker’s end before entering his delivery stride, either umpire shall call and signal No ball. See Law 42.16 (Batsmen stealing a run). However, the procedure stated in 2 above of caution, informing, final warning, action against the bowler and reporting shall not apply.
5. Fair delivery - the feet

For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride
(a) the bowler’s back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his stated mode of delivery.
(b) the bowler’s front foot must land with some part of the foot, whether grounded or raised
(i) on the same side of the imaginary line joining the two middle stumps as the return crease described in (a) above
and (ii) behind the popping crease.
If the bowler’s end umpire is not satisfied that all of these three conditions have been met, he shall call and signal No ball.
6. Ball bouncing more than twice or rolling along the ground
The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker,
either (i) bounces more than twice
or (ii) rolls along the ground
before it reaches the popping crease.
7. Ball coming to rest in front of striker’s wicket
If a ball delivered by the bowler comes to rest in front of the line of the striker’s wicket, without having previously touched the bat or person of the striker, the umpire shall call and signal No ball and immediately call and signal Dead ball.

8. Call of No ball for infringement of other Laws
In addition to the instances above, No ball is to be called and signalled as required by the following Laws.
Law 40.3 - Position of wicket-keeper
Law 41.5 - Limitation of on side fielders
Law 41.6 - Fielders not to encroach on pitch
Law 42.6 - Dangerous and unfair bowling
Law 42.7 - Dangerous and unfair bowling - action by the umpire
Law 42.8 - Deliberate bowling of high full pitched balls
9. Revoking a call of No ball

An umpire shall revoke his call of No ball if the ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason.
10. No ball to over-ride Wide
A call of No ball shall over-ride the call of Wide ball at any time. See Laws 25.1(Judging a Wide) and 25.3 (Call and signal of Wide ball).
11. Ball not dead
The ball does not become dead on the call of No ball.
12. Penalty for a No ball
A penalty of one run shall be awarded instantly on the call of No ball. Unless the call is revoked, the penalty shall stand even if a batsman is dismissed. It shall be in addition to any other runs scored, any boundary allowance and any other runs awarded for penalties.
13. Runs resulting from a No ball - how scored
The one run penalty shall be scored as a No ball extra. If other penalty runs have been awarded to either side these shall be scored as stated in Law 42.17 (Penalty runs). Any runs completed by the batsmen or any boundary allowance shall be credited to the striker if the ball has been struck by the bat; otherwise they shall also be scored as No ball extras.
Apart from any award of 5 penalty runs, all runs resulting from a No ball, whether as No ball extras or credited to the striker, shall be debited against the bowler.


14. No ball not to count


A No ball shall not count as one of the over. See Law 22.3 (Validity of balls).


15. Out from a No ball


When No ball has been called, neither batsman shall be out under any of the Laws except 33 (Handled the ball), 34 (Hit the ball twice), 37 (Obstructing the field) or 38 (Run out).


 Fair delivery






What is chucking?

As with many cricket skills, bowling with a straight arm is an unnatural act as any coach who has tried to teach it to young players can testify. It's much easier to throw the ball by bending and straightening at the elbow. However, the Laws are clear. For a ball to be legal, Law 24.3 says: "the elbow is not straightened partially or completely".


Thanks to computer analysis we now know that all bowlers have a slight straightening (which is now legal in professional cricket up to 15 degrees), but it is when it is clear to the naked eye that problems occur. A young player can get called for throwing and face being banned from bowling.


An example of straightening the elbow


To clarify the point, lets take an example of a young player who has been accused of unfairly throwing. Here is are two stills from the same delivery, taken a frame apart:

As I have highlighted, there is a clear bend in the arm in the first picture and a straight arm in the 2nd picture. This is quite hard to detect at full speed. Without access to a biomechanics lab it would be hard to say if the ball is a chuck or not (remember there is some leeway allowed). Assuming he has only contacted me because he is getting no balled let's say there is an issue.


I suspect this has come about has he tried to up his pace before his growing body is read for the extra demand.


Is there a problem?
Before we roll up our sleeves and start the process of correction, we need to ask if there is a problem at all.


The famous example is Sri Lankan spinner Mularitharan. 

His hyper flexible shoulders and wrists combined with a bent arm certainly looks like chucking to the naked eye and the bowler was no balled for it in top level cricket. He has undergone extensive computer model testing and despite what the eye thinks, his arm straightens well within the legal limit.

The only way to tell at lower levels is to rely on the judgement of the umpires. If a player is getting no balled his progress will stall and remedial work is needed. It may be he or she is not chucking in the modern definition, but if it looks like it that is enough.


So how does a coach correct a technical error like this?
It's much easier for young players to correct as they have not ingrained the habit on their muscle memory. However, whatever the age of the player, it is up to a good coach to take the action back to the root of the problem and build it back up again. I call this kinaesthetic chaining. What that translates as is this: Breaking the action down and rebuilding it by getting the feel right. 
Here is how you do it:
The new regulations deal with the reality established during the ICC's extensive research program, that most bowlers are likely to straighten their arm to a level undetectable by the naked eye during the bowling action.


The five key elements of the new regulations are:
1. An acceptance that the focus of the Law concerning illegal actions is that it seeks to deal with the extension of the arm that is visible to the naked eye.

2. All bowlers will be permitted to straighten their bowling arm up to 15 degrees, which has been established as the point at which any straightening will become visible to the naked eye.

3. The introduction of a shorter, independent review process under the central control of the ICC, with immediate suspensions for bowlers found to have illegal actions.
4. The overhaul and standardisation of the bio-mechanical testing of bowlers to ensure that all tests in all laboratories are consistent in the way that they measure the degree of straightening.

5. Strengthening of the initiatives to deal with the issue at international and regional Under 19 level.



 Thanks to ; bbc sport, lords .org

The aerodynamics of the swinging sphere

By " frank tyson"

The cricket ball is a hard, dynamic object that challenges the skill and thought process of the bowler and probes the footwork, balance and temperament of the batsman.


The sphere is a potent mix of cork and leather and the ball's seam lends it character and life. There are a total of six rows of stitches on the outside and two more on the inside that bind the four or two (in some cases) equal parts of the sphere.


Apart from holding the ball together, the seam acts as the rudder for the bowlers as they get the ball to bamboozle the batsmen; here skill combines with science.


Indeed swing — movement in the air — can be destructive in the English conditions as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have found out. In no other part of the world is a batsman's feet movement tested as it is in the Old Blighty.


It was at the Oval in 1948 that legendary Australian paceman Ray Lindwall of a rhythmic run-up and a flowing release blew England away — the host was bundled out for 52 on day one — with an immortal burst of six for 20. Reports from that Test highlight how Lindwall, who formed a lethal partnership with the gifted Keith Miller, swung the ball with pace and precision. Another Aussie, Bob Massie sliced through England in the Lord's Test of 1972 with eight wickets in each innings — he finished with an astonishing 16 scalps for 137 runs on his debut — with telling late swing. Massie, a quintessential swing bowler, had exploited the conditions in England.


In the ongoing series, the English pace trio of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnen have tormented the Indian batsmen with their tricks in the air. They have glorious examples to emulate in the form of countrymen Alec Bedser, Fred Trueman and Ian Botham.

                                              seam position and grip for inswing


Difficult art
Swing bowling is a difficult art to master — the ball has to be pitched up and the margin of error is very little. Creditably, someone such as Bedser bowled with exceptional control, moved it both ways.


But then, why does the ball swing in the first place? We enter the territory of aerodynamics; the heart of the matter really.


Frank Tyson, among the fastest bowlers to have played Test cricket and the hero for England in the famous Ashes triumph down under in 1954-55 with 28 wickets in five Tests at 20.82, comprehended every nuance of his craft.


With 76 wickets in only 17 Tests — the explosive Tyson earned the moniker ‘Typhoon' for his extreme speed — he often left the batsmen with bruised limbs and ego. Sadly, his career was blighted by injuries.

                                                     seam position and grip for  outswing


Reason for swing


A respected commentator and coach subsequently, Tyson, now 81, continues to follow the game with keen interest. He shared his fascinating insight on swing bowling with The Hindu from Brisbane, Australia, where he emigrated after retirement.


He first dwelt on the reason for swing — he called it ‘the swinging truth.' Tyson said, “The swinging cricket ball depends in the creation of different fields of air pressure on each side of the ball — and the agents for the creation of such fields — viz., the seam and the rough side of the ball.”
The speed merchant from the glory days of the past revealed, “As a general rule, air which is disturbed and travels quickly has less pressure than more stable and smoothly flowing air. To illustrate this point, suspend two balls a few centimetres apart and blow between them. Because the air between them is disturbed and the air on the outside is stable and has greater pressure, the balls will come together.”


Rooted on science


The former pace ace continued with his brilliant reasoning rooted on science. “To apply the analogy to swing bowling, if a bowler inclines the seam towards the left or right of the ball's direction, the disturbed air on that side of the sphere has less pressure and the greater air pressure on the opposite side pushes the ball towards the lower pressure zone. i.e., towards the slips for the outswinger and the short-leg for the inswinger (for demonstration purposes we use right-handed models).”
Throwing greater light on a complex topic, Tyson added, “The greater the air disturbance in the low pressure zone, the greater the sideways movement of the swing.”
Batting in England is much about surviving the quickly changing conditions; a period of bright sunshine favouring the batsmen against the pacemen could be followed by a thick cloud-cover that encourages swing.
Why does the ball do more under a cloud cover? Tyson's analytical mind came to the fore again. “The cloud-cover will affect the air pressure on the sides of the ball. This enhances swing. And the resultant humidity will impact the stitching on the ball. It could make the stitching swell that would assist the pacemen.”


Why do different balls behave differently?

Potent swing relies on the conditions as well as the bowler's skill. There is another factor that can impact the sphere's movement in the air — the nature of the ball.


Indeed, the ball's seam structure can greatly influence swing. Former England pace ace Frank Tyson's views on the subject are presented here in the second and concluding part of the story on the dynamics of swing bowling.


Tyson explained  why the Duke ball swung more than the Kookaburra which had a less pronounced seam. “English balls are hand stitched and their seams stand more proudly from the surface of the ball, disturbing the air to a greater degree and educing more pronounced movement through the air before the ball pitches.

“Australian Kookaburra balls are machine-stitched and the seams lie flatter on the surface, swinging less when they are first bowled but lasting longer (though not swinging for longer periods) because they are manufactured for harder surfaces. Moreover, the English balls are sometimes used on damp surfaces which cause the stitches to swell, disturbing the air more and producing greater movement through the air for longer periods of time,” he said.


Tyson added the ‘air disturbance thesis' also explained ‘reverse swing' since lower air pressures could also be created on one side of the ball due to the sphere being roughened by usage and by the elevation of the worn seam on the side of the ball facing the direction of the desired movement.

Elaborating on the subject, Tyson said, “This creates a low air pressure on that side of the ball and greater air pressure on the opposite flank. Thus the bowler may hold the ball with the seam as for an out-swinger with the rough side facing off-side, but the ball will swing towards the smoother side for an in-swinger.”

Tyson underlined the significance of the seam position. “The value of seam position is self-evident from what has gone before since it determines the areas of low and high air pressures.

 The wrist is equally important because it juxtaposes the seam. Moreover, it is crucial in the summation of forces in the bowling action, causing the hand to be behind the ball and transmitting force to the fingers in the release of the ball and feeling the position of the seam.”


Another key element


The back-spin is another key element as Tyson pointed out. “When you release the ball using your first three fingers and the thumb, and do so rightly, back-spin is imparted. A bullet when fired from a gun spins even as it travels forward and this helps it to maintain a straight path. Similarly, the backspin enables the seam to stay upright.”


Tyson shifted his attention to various body actions for different types of swing. “An open action is beneficial to an in-swinger since it pre-positions the bowler's shoulder girdle for an action.
Seam and the rough side of the ball will cause the bowler to ‘push' the ball in towards the batsman's stumps from outside the off.
“Similarly, a closed action pre-positions the seam and the rough side of the ball, slanting the sphere towards the slips and “dragging” the delivery from leg to off. A closed action with the seam directed from off to leg can still result in an in-swinger for aerodynamic reasons previously outlined,” he said.

Then, Tyson recalled the formidable swing bowlers from the past. He said, “The finest exhibition of swing bowling in England came from Australia's Ray Lindwall (1948). Other fine exponents of swing include Keith Miller (late swing), Fred Trueman, Alec Bedser, and Tom Cartwright, who swung the ball both ways.”

Ray Lindwall 

 
 Keith Miller

Fred Trueman

 Alec Bedser

                                                      Tom Cartwright


 Hutton the best
And who, in Tyson's opinion, was the finest batsman against swing? “The best player of swing, undoubtedly, was Len Hutton.

 He could adjust his strokes according to the movement of the ball and played the ball later than anyone I have bowled at,” he answered. Hutton's immaculate footwork was the key.


Tyson highlighted the time-tested methods for successful swing bowling in England.


“The most effective bowlers in England deliver at slightly below top pace, and on a fuller length, giving the ball time to swing. Genuine pace does not pay dividends since the English pitches negate speed.


Further, attempted drives can produce wickets and this gives scope to vary one's pace.”


The man called ‘Typhoon' said it was harder to cope with the red ball than the white one in England.

“I presume the white ball gets roughened up pretty quickly and assists conventional swing for only the first few overs. The white ball probably reverses more but the red one swings consistently for longer periods and is a bigger threat to the batsmen.”


Swing can sting in the Old Blighty. Outplayed in the ongoing Test series, India needs to focus on the basics — accuracy in bowling, where the line is of paramount importance, footwork and the use of the crease by the batsmen.


(Concluded)

(Thanks -'' the hindu"  )

LBW EXPLAINED

Law 36 of the MCC's laws of cricket still has people's heads in a spin - exactly how does the lbw law work?
To the uninitiated, the leg before wicket dismissal is to cricket what the offside law is to football.
But the lbw law is not as complicated as some people may think.


It is governed by certain principles which, once mastered, make the law simple to understand.


And that is exactly what this guide will aim to do!

LBW: Making a decision

The umpire will consider an lbw decision if he believes the ball would have hit the stumps had its path not been obstructed by the batsman's pads or body.

But the umpire also has to take certain factors into consideration before making a decision

LBW: The three stumps

Three stumps make up a wicket - the off stump, middle stump and leg stump.

From a bowler's perspective, when facing a right-handed batsman, the off stump is to the left of middle stump.

And the leg stump is to the right of middle stump.

This is reversed for a left-handed batsman, where the off stump will be to the bowler's right.

Not out LBW: Ball pitches outside leg stump

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

The most important factor when an umpire considers an lbw decision is whether the ball pitched outside leg stump.

If the ball lands outside the line the of leg stump, the batsman cannot be given out - even if the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.

Not out LBW: No-ball

A batsman cannot be given out if either umpire calls a no-ball.

The most common way this happens is when the heel of the bowler's front foot lands on or in front of the popping crease (the front line of the batting crease).

There are 12 other situations when the umpires can call a no-ball. 

Not out LBW: Bat before pad

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

A batsman cannot be given out if the ball hits the bat before the pad.

Not out LBW: Outside line of off stump

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

A defence against an lbw appeal for a batsman is to get his pad outside the line of off stump.

An umpire will turn down any appeal if he believes the ball has struck the batsman's pad outside the line of the off stump, even if the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.

Unless...

Out LBW: Offering no stroke

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

..the batsman makes no genuine attempt to play a stroke.

In that situation, the "the ball hit the pad outside off stump" defence becomes redundant.

LBW: Batsman is out

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

In this situation, the ball has pitched on the stumps and has struck the batsman on the pads in front of the wicket.

The ball has not pitched outside the line of leg stump.

And it has not struck the batsman outside the line of off stump.

Therefore the umpire should give the batsman out.

But a lot of the time it is never this simple...

LBW: Yet more considerations

The umpire must also consider four other variables:

- The height of the ball's bounce

- Swing and spin of the ball

- Where the ball hit the pad

- Whether the batsman is attempting to play a stroke






LBW: Height of the ball's bounce

Each pitch tends to have its own idiosyncrasies which must also be taken into account by the umpire.

Some are faster, harder and bouncier than others, which means the ball will bounce higher than on a slower pitch.

In those circumstances, the umpire must decide whether the ball would have gone over the stumps after striking the pad.

LBW: Swing and spin

Bowlers often swing the ball in the air or make the ball spin when it pitches on the wicket.

So if the ball strikes the batsman's pad, the umpire must assess how much the ball would have moved had it not struck the pad.

Would it have swung or spun enough to hit the stumps? Or would the ball have moved too much and missed the stumps completely?

However, if the ball hits the pad on the full - without pitching - then the umpire is not permitted to infer whether the ball would have moved after pitching

LBW: Where the ball strikes the pad

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

Batsmen can create doubt in an umpire's mind by taking a big stride down the pitch with their front foot.

By moving further down the pitch, the batsman lengthens the distance between the ball and the stumps.

If he is struck on the pad a long way down the pitch, the umpire has a more difficult job to assess whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.

But if a batsman is struck while on his back foot or back pad, there is a shorter distance to judge between the batsman and the stumps, strengthening the bowler's appeal for an lbw decision

LBW: Is the batsman playing a stroke?

(Animated image- "click" separately and watch )

The umpire must consider if the batsman is making a genuine attempt to offer a stroke.

Sometimes, especially to spinners, batsmen can intentionally hide their bat behind the pad, making it unclear as to whether they are playing a shot or not.

This is a very defensive move designed to frustrate bowlers.

However, it can be difficult to judge, so it comes down to the discretion of the umpire.

LBW: Umpires under pressure

Lbw appeals happen within the space of two seconds, often less. During that time the umpire has to assess numerous factors before arriving at their final outcome.

The increasing role of technology has brought even greater scrutiny to lbws.

TV viewers can see a decision from numerous angles with the help of computer software which can predict swing and spin.

But the umpire has only one chance to get the decision right.

THANKS TO BBC SPORT

CRICKET TERMINOLOGY

 WHAT IS TERMINLOGY…?

Terminology is a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline in particular language 

This is general glossary of the terminology used in the sport of cricket

   

Fielding Terminology

Fine leg, Short fine leg, Deep Square leg, Square leg, Short leg, Backward square leg, Deep Backward square Leg, Mid Wicket, Short Midwicket, Deep Mid wicket, Long on, Mid on, Short Mid on, Long off, Mid off, Short Mid off, Covers, Deep cover, Extra cover, Deep Extra Cover, Point, Deep Point, Silly Point, Short cover, Gully, Third Man, 1st slip, 2nd slip, 3rd slip, 4th slip, Leg Gully, Leg Slip, Silly Mid off, Silly Mid on, Cover point, Deep Cover Point, Forward Leg, Short Forward Leg, Deep Forward Leg, Deep Gully, Forward point region, Deep Forward pt region, Backward pt, Deep Backward pt, sweeper. Get More Details

Batting Terminology

Follow through, Soft hands, Strong bottom hand, Short arm pull shot, Slog Sweep, Cover drive, flick of the wrist, Paddle Sweep, Lofted drive, Straight drive, On drive, Off drive, Square cut, Hook shot, Pull shot, Horizontal bat shot, cross bat shot, straight or vertical bat shot, Flick shot, Delicate cut shot, scoop shots, Leg glance, Wristy shot, Sweep shots, Opening the blade of the bat, Reverse sweep Shot, Middle of the bat, Front foot, Inside out, Late cut, Swing the bat, Inside edge, Upper cuts, French cuts, Clearing the front leg, High back lift, Transfer of body weight, Hitting on top of the ball, Still head, Opening or closing the face of the bat, Rolling your wrist, Slicing the ball, Standing tall, Stand and deliver, Hitting through the line, Switch on shots, Front foot, Back foot.

Bowling Terminology

Fast Bowling

Medium Fast, Fast Medium, Fast, Slower Ball, Off Cutter, seam up, Leg Cutter, Fast Slower Ball, Bouncer, Beamer, In Swinger, Out Swinger, Late Swinger, Reverse Swinger, Half volley, Fuller or Full Volley, Over pitch, Across the Seam or scrambled seam, Short Ball, Yorker, Angle Bowling, Slower Bouncer, Slow Off cutter, Slow Leg Cutter, Reverse Late (In swinger), Reverse Late (Out swinger).

Leg Spin

Leg Break, Flipper, Top spinner or Over spinner or straighter one, Back spinner or Slider, Skidder, Shooter, Change of pace, the other one or wrong one or Googly.

Off Spin

Off Break, Doosra, Quicker, Straighter or Top spinner or Over spinner, Shooter, Change of pace, Arm ball, Off Slider, Off Skidder.

Left Arm Spin

Left arm spin, Arm ball, Quicker one, Straighter one, Change of pace, Left arm Skidder.

Left Arm Wrist

China Men, Googly, Quicker one, Shooter, Skidder, Change of pace.

 

Certain other aspects of cricket terminology explained in more details 

A List of Technical Cricket Terms

Following, in alphabetical order, are a list of technical terms used in cricket.

you conversant with the language that cricketers use

 Terms from A to D

Appeal(see pic above)

a claim that a batter has been put out, made by the person making the play. (Umpires will not signal some "outs" unless appealed to, by the appropriate player).

bat-and-pad catch

A hit that hits a batter's leg (pad) and is caught by a fielder BEFORE it 

touches the ground. A clear "out".

Batting Average

the average number of earned runs scored by a batter, defined as total runs scored divided by number of times the batter was "out".

bowled [see pic above]

an "out" which is achieved by a pitch that hits the batter's sticks, whether or not touched by the bat. Rather like baseball's "strike-out".

Bowling average

the (average) number of earned runs scored off a pitcher/bowler per every "out" he takes.

break

a change in direction of a pitch, after it is bounced by the pitcher.

bumper [see pic above]

a ball that is bounced high enough to hit a batter's head or shoulders; cricket's equivalent of the "beanball".

bye(s) (see pic above) Run(s) scored on "wild pitches". i.e. when the ball goes past the wicket-keeper/catcher without having been touched by the batter, and runs can be scored (much like "stolen bases on wild piches" in baseball). The runs are added to the team total as "extras", but not credited to batters... nor charged to bowlers.

Caught (out) [see pic above]

An "out" resulting from a hit caught by a fielder in the air, i.e. before touching the ground, like baseball's "pop fly".

chinaman

A left-hander's googly ( see definition of 'googly', below)....i.e., a pitch that looks as if it could break INTO a right-handed batter on the bounce, but breaks AWAY instead. So called because the first person to have delivered such a pitch was of Chinese extraction, in the West Indies !

country

Old name for the outfield, in cricket.

cover drive

a drive (see definition) that is hit away from the batter's body, in baseball's "first-base" direction.

cutter , leg- or off-

A fast pitch where a slashing arm action rather than wrist or finger spin is used to get a slight break off the bounce....depending on the direction of the break, it can be called a leg-cutter or off-cutter.

declaration

in unlimited-over games, a decision by the captain of a batting side to stop batting and put the other side in to bat...usually done to allow enough time to win a game.

double century

an individual score of 200 runs or more by a batter.

Draw

in an unlimited-overs game of one OR two innings, a situation where neither side wins....the first team's total is not surpassed, but the innings are not completed. (No draws are allowed in limited-over games).

drive (see pic above)

a hit executed by the batter in which he swings the bat in a long arc, much like teeing off at golf, and sends the ball in one of several possible directions.

duck

a zero individual score, "awarded" to a batter who is "out" without scoring a single earned run.

Terms from E to H

Economy rate

the average number of earned runs scored off a pitcher/bowler per over that he bowls/pitches....a measure of pitching efficiency.

follow on

In a full two-innings game, where the team batting second is asked to bat again because its first innings total is far behind that of the other team.

four, or boundary

a line drive that reaches the fence, counting as four runs.

full toss (see pic above)

a pitch that reaches the batter without a bounce, like a baseball pitch.

glide (see pic above)

a hit which is executed like a drive (see definition) but is angled to go behind the batter on his off side (see definition).

good length, or good-length delivery (see pic above)

A pitch which bounces just outside the batter's maximum forward reach (i.e. 3 to 5 yards from the wickets, depending upon batter's height)....these pitches are the hardest for a batter to hit, because he cannot decide whether to step forward anyway, or if he should step back and give himself the maximumdistance from the "bounce", to see what the ball might be doing.

googly (see pic above)

A pitch which is thrown with baseball's "screwball" grip but reverse finger spin... to look like a leg-break (see definition) that should move across and AWAY from the batter, but actually moves in the OPPOSITE direction, i.e. INTO the batter like an off-break (see definition), after it bounces. (also see definition of "chinaman").

half century

an individual score of 50 runs or more by a batter.

Hat trick

Getting three batters "out" in three successive pitches...so called because in the 17th century, a pitcher/bowler who accomplished the feat was rewarded by an immediate bonus, collected by passing a hat among gathered spectators.

hook(see pic above)

a hit that is executed by the batter swinging his bat around his body, and following up with a complete body turn, usually pivoting on one foot...works best on a pitch that is moving away from the batter on his "leg" side (see definition).

Terms from I to L

innings

The total number of runs scored by a team during its time at bat.

innings victory

In a full two-innings game, a victory where one team scores more runs in a single innings than its opponent does in two.

inswing see pic above

a pitch that moves into a batter in the air, like baseball's "curve ball".

"It is not cricket"

An expression meaning, any action that is deceptive, unfair or underhanded...i.e. contrary to the spirit in which cricket is supposed to be played.

late cut (see pic above)

a hit that is executed by a batter by deflecting the pitch in a slicing motion, just before it reaches the wicket keeper or catcher.

lbw (leg before wicket) (see pic above)

a pitch which is intercepted by a batter's body before it hits the sticks...an umpire will rule the batter "out" if he is sure that the sticks would have been hit.

leg break (see pic above)

a pitch that is thrown almost like baseball's "screwball", and breaks into a batter's body off the bounce, from the batter's "leg" side.

leg bye

Run(s) scored when the ball hits the batter's legs, and goes off into the field . The runs are added to the team total as "extras", but not credited to batters... nor charged to bowlers. NOTE: leg-byes are not allowed when there is an lbw "out" (see definition), or if the ball has been intentionally kicked or deflected by the batter.

leg glance (see pic above)

a hit consisiting of a deflection around the batter's legs, of a pitch past the wicket keeper (catcher) and behind him.

leg side

that half of the field, as bisected by a line joining the wickets and extended both ways, where the batter's legs are placed. Also called "on side".(see definition of "off and on side" and pic, below).

Limited and Unlimited Over games

"Limited Over" games are those where each team is allowed to bat only for a designated number of overs. Typically, 30, 40, 45 or 50 overs are set as the limit for each team's innings. "Unlimited Over Games" are those where no over restriction is placed on a team's innings.

lofted drive

a drive (see definition) where the ball is lofted (hit in the air) to clear infield or midfield positions.

long hop or short pitch (see pic above)

A pitch that is bounced far away from the batter ( at least 7 to 10 yards away) , so it reaches the batter after a long hop, or bounce.

Terms from M to P

maiden over

a set of six pitches delivered by a bowler in which no earned runs are scored.

night watchman

in matches/games lasting 2 or more days, a lower order batter who is sent in to "stall for time" late in the evening, so the more experienced batters can bat the following day.

no-ball (see pic above)

a pitch delivered by a pitcher who has "crossed the line" he is supposed to pitch from, or violated some other rule. When an umpire calls "no ball", the batter cannot be out except when running and gets tagged.

ODI

A One-Day International, an official limited-over cricket game (typically 50 overs per team) where the contenders are accredited national teams.

off-break (see pic above)

a pitch which, after bouncing, "breaks" into the batter's body from his off side (see definition below for "off side").

off drive

A drive (see definition) which is executed at about a 45-degree angle to the line of the wickets, on the batter's off side (see definition).

off side (see pic above)

that half of the field, as bisected by a line joining the wickets and extended both ways, which is in front of and away from the batter, i.e. the other half of the field (as opposed to his "leg" or "on" side).

on drive

A drive (see definition) which is executed at about a 45-degree angle to the line of the wickets, on the batter's on or leg side (see definition)

opening batsman

One of the first two batters sent in to start a team's innings.

outswing (see pic above)

A pitch which moves down and away from the batter in the air, like baseball's "slider".

over

The set of six pitches delivered from one wicket to the other by a pitcher.

overpitch(ed delivery) (see pic above)

a pitch which is pitched so far forward that the batter can reach the point where it bounced by a forward step.

Partnership, stand

used to indicate the number of runs scored by both batters on base, between one "out" and the next one... for example, a "partnership of 100 runs for thethird wicket" would mean that 100 runs were scored by both batters between the second and third "out".

pull (see pic above)

A hit executed by a batter "pulling" an off-side pitch (see definition) around his body towards his other (i.e.on, or leg) side (see definition).

Terms from Q to T

run(s)

Safe crossing(s) from wicket to wicket, by a batter (and his partner) after hitting (earned runs), or off a fielding error (like stolen bases) (extras). Each crossing scores one run to the batting team.

run out see pic above

like baseball's "tag"....an "out" which consists of the fielder striking the wickets towards which a runner is headed, before he gets to it.

run rate

the rate at which runs are being scored per over, in an innings.

seamer

a faster pitch delivered with the seam straight, and which can "slide" in the air or "break" unexpectedly.

sixer, or over-boundary

a hit that flies over the fence without a bounce, scoring six runs.

"Spectacles"

A double "duck", i.e. a batter who is out for zero runs in both innings of a two-inning cricket game.

Spin (bowler)

A kind of pitch, usually delivered at slow speed, where fingers or/and wrist are used to impart spin to the ball to achieve "breaks" (see definition); so, spin bowler = a pitcher who uses spin.

square cut (see pic above)

A hit that looks like a slash across the body, used by batter to hit the ball "square" to his batting position...in baseball terms, like a hit towards first base by aright-handed batter, or third base by a left-hander.

"Sticky Wicket"

A field which is partly dry and partly wet, creating a treacherous and uncertain bounce which makes the batter's life difficult...by extrapolation, any life situation which is full of hazardous uncertainty!

Stonewall

To bat only to stop the pitcher from hitting the sticks, without attempting to score. A defensive tactic, like basketball's "stall".

Stop the rot

Bat in a partnership (see definition) that lasts long enough and scores enough runs to make up for a succession of quick "outs" and a low score total, earlier in the innings.

strike rate

the number of earned runs scored by a batter per pitches actually faced by him.

stumped (see pic above)

An "out" which is made by the catcher/wicket-keeper, catching the batter out of his ground when he is trying to hit...and misses..

sweep (see pic above)

A hit executed towards his leg or on side, by "sweeping" his bat around his body.

tail-ender

The last to or three batters in a team's batting order. The "tail wags" if these batters manage to score a significant amount of runs!

take guard see pic above

what a batter does when he first goes in to bat, i.e. he asks the umpire for guidance, and marks his position where he wishes to stand when batting.

Test Match

An official two-inning match between two accredited national teams, usually spread over 5 playing days (30 hours).

ton or century

an individual score of 100 runs or more by a batter.

triple century

an individual score of 300 runs or more by a batter.

Terms from U to Z

wicket(s)

The terms "wicket", and "wickets", are used in different and important ways. "THE wicket" is the strip of field between the two sets of sticks marking the bases, as in "sticky wicket" (see definition). "A wicket", used as singular or plural, is a count of the number of "outs" in an inning, so "85 for 6 wickets"means 85 runs scored, for 6 "outs". "THE wickets", always used in plural, are the set of three sticks or "stumps" marking the base, as in "He stood in front of the wickets". It helps to know the context in which the word is being used !

wicket keeper

the position equivalent to baseball's "catcher".

wicket maiden

a "maiden over" (see definition) where one or more "outs" such as "bowled" or "caught out" (see definitions) also occur.

wide ball (see pic above)

A pitch that travels too far from the batter for him to have a reasonable chance of hitting it. The pitcher has to throw the pitch again, and a penalty run is scored for the batting team.

Win by x wickets

The number of wickets, or "outs", that the team batting second has in hand when it passed the first team's total score. A "win by 10 wickets", meaning no member of the second batting team was out, is an overwhelming victory: a "win by ONE wicket", meaning only the last out was left to the second team, avery narrow one !

Win by x runs

The number of runs by which the team batting second falls short of the mark set by the first team, either because it has had 10 batters out or because (in a limited overs game) time ran out.

yorker (see pic above)

An "overpitch" delivery (see definition) which is thrown so far forward as to 
bounce right under the batter's bat, and beat him.