From the dew settling on the pitch before the players arrive to the atmosphere created by hundreds of screaming fans, there are a million things to love about cricket. It’s no surprise that it is one of the most popular sports worldwide.

If you’re new to the sport, it may take some time to familiarize yourself with the game’s rules and how things work. Understanding the jargon used may also take some time. 

To make this as easy as possible, we’ve gathered together all the most commonly used terms in cricket. Below, you’ll find the descriptions for all the lingo used in the sport so you can be in the know as you enjoy any upcoming games. 

The Ashes

Not having to do anything with actual ash, the Ashes is one of the biggest cricketing tournaments between England and Australia. 

Asking Rate

The asking rate refers to the number of runs required to be gained per over for a particular team to win. This term is used chiefly during ODIs (one-day internationals).

Ball Tampering

This refers to any time the ball changes from its normal playable condition. Examples are when it is purposefully scuffed, torn at the seams, or buffed with anything other than sweat or saliva. 

Beamer

A ball that doesn’t bounce after being bowled. Instead, it flies directly at the batsman at around head height. Bowling beamers are generally frowned upon due to the dangers they pose and are most commonly done by accident. 

Belter

A belter refers to the pitch being played on. It offers little advantage to the bowler and favors the batsmen instead.

Bouncer

A ball that bounces after being bowled and passes the batters at the height between their chest and head.

Boundary

Boundary can refer to two different things. The first is the physical boundary of the field. In context, however, it can refer to any occasion where a batsman scores a four or six (where the ball has to hit or surpass the physical boundary).

Bump Ball

A ball that is hit by the batsman into the ground almost on impact and is then caught by a fielder. 

Bunny

A specialist player who is only placed on the team due to their ability to bowl or field. A bunny is usually placed at 11 on the team and is commonly bowled out quickly without achieving many runs.

Bye

Used to refer to any run claimed by a batsman that hasn’t hit the ball with either his bat or body. 

Crease

A collection of lines that form a box around the batsman and indicate the point at which a bowler must stop on their run-up.

Dead Ball

A ball bowled from which no runs can be gained or wickets taken. 

Declaration

Not commonly used, a declaration is when a batting team ends their innings before all their players have been taken out or their maximum overs have been reached. 

Dolly

A ball that a fielder can easily catch. 

Duck (Heading out for a duck)

Scoring a total of zero runs before being bowled out or caught by a fielder. 

Extra Runs

Any run that is added to the total score of the batsman without them having to hit the ball. These include wide balls, no balls, and dead balls.

Heavy Ball

A ball traveling faster than anticipated that hits the bat harder or higher than expected based on its appearance. 

Inning

The period in which a specific team will either bowl or bat. Each team is given a single inning per match that is ended based on the number of overs played, all players being taken out, or after a specific period has passed. 

LBW (Leg Before Wicket)

An occurrence where the ball hits the leg of the batsman without him hitting the ball. Should the ball have been on course to hit the wickets (had the batsman not been in the way), an LBW is declared and the batsman is out. 

Maiden Over

An over where no viable runs are scored that count against the bowler. 

New Ball

The term is used when the current ball is removed from play and a new one is issued. This is not a common occurrence and usually only happens every 80 overs. 

No-ball

A bowling delivery that is declared invalid. The most common instance of this is when the bowler oversteps the crease. 

Obstruction

Any instance where a batsman purposefully blocks or distracts any fielder from an opportunity that may result in a batsman being caught or run out.

Out

The term is used when a batsman is caught, bowled, or run out according to cricketing rules. 

Over

The culmination of six deliveries from the bowler to the batsman. 

Run Rate

The average number of runs achieved per over during a game or player’s career. One of the most vital data points for placing a bet on cricket.

Strike Rate

The strike rate can refer to either batters or bowlers. For batsmen, the strike rate refers to the number of runs a batsman achieves based on 100 balls. For bowlers, it relates to the number of balls a bowler needs to deliver to take a wicket. 

Stumped

When a batsman steps beyond the crease to hit an incoming ball and the wicketkeeper catches the ball and hits the stumps with it instead. 

Stumps

The physical wickets (or sticks) that are erected behind the batsman that can be used to get an out via bowling or being stumped. 

Wide

A ball that is delivered skewed relative to the pitch and arrives at the batsman outside of the reasonable reach of the bat. 

Over

The culmination of six deliveries from the bowler to the batsman.