Vocabulary of Cricket Sport

Cricket is a fascinating sport that has captured the attention of people worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned cricket fan or just want to improve your English speaking skills, learning the vocabulary is a must. This article will explore specialized vocabulary in-depth, illuminating the language of the cricket sport for you. 

Bowling Terms

• Arm Ball: A delivery that looks like a normal off-break but goes straight instead of turning.  
• Bouncer: A fast, short-pitched delivery aimed at the batter's head or upper body.  
• Doosra: An off-spinner's delivery that spins away from the batter instead of turning into them.  
• Googly: A leg-spinner's delivery that spins in the opposite direction to the normal leg-break.  
• Inswinger: A delivery that moves towards the batter in the air or off the pitch.  
• Leg Break: A delivery that spins from the leg side towards the off side for a right-handed batter.  
• Maiden Over: An over in which the batter scores no runs.  
• Off Break: A delivery that spins from the off side towards the leg side for a right-handed batter.  
• Slower Ball: A delivery bowled slower to deceive the batter.  
• Wicket: The area behind the batter where the stumps are located.  

Batting Terms

• Century: When a batter scores 100 runs individually in an inning.  
• Crease: The lines marked at both ends of the pitch where the batter stands.  
• Drive: A shot played by the batter by hitting the ball along the ground with a straight bat.  
• Edge: When the ball touches the edge of the bat while the batter attempts to play a shot.  
• Extras: Runs scored that are not attributed to the batter, such as wides, no-balls, and byes.  
• Flick: A shot played by the batter using their wrists to guide the ball toward a particular direction.  
• Hook: A shot played by the batter, hitting the ball that is above the shoulder level towards the leg side.  
• Six: When the batter hits the ball beyond the boundary without bouncing, scoring six runs.  
• Stumped: When the wicketkeeper dismisses the batter by removing the bails while the batter is out of the crease.  
• Sweep: A shot played by the batter on one knee, hitting the ball towards the leg side.  
• Uppercut: A shot played by the batter, hitting the ball with an angled bat towards the third-man region.  
• Yorker: A delivery aimed at the batter's toes or base of the stumps.

Fielding Terms

• Catch: When a fielder successfully grabs the ball after the batter has hit it without bouncing.  
• Deep Fielder: A fielder positioned near the boundary to stop the ball from crossing the boundary line.  
• Gully: A fielding position close to the slips, on the offside, between the slips and the point.  
• Overthrow: An additional run or runs scored by the batting team due to a fielding error.  
• Slip: A fielding position behind the batter on the off side, close to the wicketkeeper.  
• Square Leg: A fielding position on the leg side, approximately square to the batter.  
• Silly Point: A fielding position close to the batter, on the offside, near the popping crease.  
• Stump: One of the three vertical posts the batter must defend to avoid being dismissed.  
• Throw: When a fielder returns the ball to the wicketkeeper or another fielder.  
• Run Out: When the fielding team hits the stumps with the ball while the batter is attempting to complete a run.  
• Wicketkeeper: The player who stands behind the stumps and is responsible for catching the ball and stumping the batter.

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Scoring Terms

• Bye: Runs awarded to the batting team when the ball passes the batter and the wicketkeeper.  
• Declared: When the batting team captain decides to end their team's innings before all batters are dismissed.  
• Dot Ball: A delivery from the bowler in which the batter fails to score any runs.  
• Innings: The period during which a team bats until they are dismissed or declare their innings.  
• Leg Bye: Runs awarded to the batting team when the ball hits the batter's body or equipment and deflects away.  
• Not Out: When the umpire rules that the batter is not dismissed.  
• Over: A set of six legal deliveries bowled by a bowler.  
• Run: The basic unit of scoring in cricket achieved, when the batters complete a run between the wickets.  
• Wide: A delivery that is too far away from the batter to be considered a fair delivery, resulting in an extra run for the batting team.  
• Boundary: The edge of the playing field that results in scoring four runs if the ball crosses it without bouncing.  
• Follow-On: When a team batting second is asked to bat again immediately after their first innings.  
• Maiden: An over in which the batter scores no runs.  
• No-Ball: A delivery that is deemed illegal due to the bowler overstepping the crease or for other technical reasons, resulting in an extra run for the batting team.
• Run Rate: The average number of runs scored per over by the batting team.  
• Scoreboard: The display board that shows the current score, number of wickets, and other relevant information.

Decision-Making Terms

• Appeal: A request made by the fielding team to the umpire for a batter's dismissal.  
• DRS (Decision Review System): A technology-based system that allows teams to challenge the umpire's decision.  
• LBW (Leg Before Wicket): A dismissal in which the ball hits the batter's leg before hitting the bat, and the umpire deems it would have hit the stumps.  
• Umpire: The officials responsible for making decisions, enforcing the laws, and ensuring fair play during a cricket match.  
• Third Umpire: An additional umpire who reviews decisions using television replays and assists the on-field umpires in making accurate calls.  
• Out: When a batter is dismissed and must leave the field.

Cricket Player's Equipment

• Bat: The wooden implement used by the batter to hit the ball.  
• Ball: The hard, leather-covered object used in the game.  
• Stumps: Three vertical wooden posts that the batter must defend.  
• Bails: The small wooden pieces that sit on top of the stumps.  
• Pads: Protective gear worn by the batter to shield their legs.  
• Gloves: Protective gloves worn by the batter to grip the bat and protect their hands.  
• Helmet: A protective headgear worn by batsmen and fielders close to the batter.  
• Guard: A protective cup worn by the batter to protect the groin area.  
• Fielding Cap: A cap worn by fielders to shield their eyes from the sun.  
• Arm Guard: A protective guard worn by the batter on their forearm.  
• Thigh Guard: A protective guard worn by the batter on their thighs.  
• Abdominal Guard: A protective guard worn by the batter on their abdomen.  
• Spikes: Specialized shoes worn by players to provide better traction on the field.  
• Protective Glasses: Eyewear worn by players to protect their eyes from the ball.  
• Bag: A large bag players use to carry their equipment and personal items.

Popular Idioms Related to Cricket

Cricket is a captivating sport with its rich vocabulary and intricacies. By familiarizing yourself with this cricket slang, you'll communicate better in everyday situations.

• Caught off guard: Surprised or unprepared for a situation.  
• Hit for six: Overwhelmed or defeated by a powerful force or event.  
• On a sticky wicket: In a difficult or precarious situation.  
• Play a straight bat: Be honest and fair in your dealings.  
• Out of left field: Unexpected or coming from an unexpected direction.  
• Hit a sixer: To achieve great success or accomplish something remarkable.  
• Call the shots: To be in control and make important decisions.

Tune in to a match, and let the language of cricket transport you into the world of this beloved sport.

Conclusion

From bowling and batting to fielding, scoring, and decision-making, now you have the vocabulary of cricket explained. Your experience of the game and ability to follow the action will benefit from your familiarity with these phrases. Whether you're a seasoned cricket fan or just getting started, this dictionary will get you up to speed on the vocabulary of the gentleman's game.