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Young Cricketer. "Yes, I cocked one off the splice in the gully and the blighter gathered it."
Father. "Yes, but how did you get out? Were you caught, stumped or bowled, or what?"
Cartoon from Punch, 21 July 1920.
This is a general glossary of the terminology used in the sport of cricket. Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this article, they appear in italics. Certain aspects of cricket terminology are explained in more detail in cricket statistics and the naming of fielding positions is explained at fielding (cricket).
Cricket is known for its rich terminology.[1][2][3] Some terms are often thought to be arcane and humorous by those not familiar with the game.[4]
A powerful slog shot across the line (resembling a scything motion), played with little technique or footwork, particularly one that damages the pitch with the bat. May result in the ball going to cow corner.[6][7]
Air
A delivery by a spin bowler on a higher trajectory than usual, typically phased as 'giving it some air'. The term flight is a near synonym.[5] Can be combined with top spin or back spin to deceive the batsman on the length of the delivery, or with off spin or leg spin to give the ball more time to drift.
All out
An innings which has ended due to the batting side running out of wickets. This is usually because ten of the eleven batsmen have been dismissed (in rare cases, one or more may have retired due to injury instead). The term is a slight misnomer, as there is always one batman left not out.[5]
All-rounder
Traditionally, a player adept at both batting and bowling.[8] Some recent sources regard a wicket-keeper/batsman as another type of all-rounder, but this usage is not universal.[5]
Amateur
1. A cricketer who plays for pleasure, not pay. A non-professional.[5]
2. A former official distinction between players of differing social class, important in 18th and 19th century England. Amateurs (also known as gentlemen) were upper class, had usually been to private school and/or Oxbridge, and could claim expenses but not receive any other payment. Professionals (also known as players) were working class, paid wages, and relied on cricket as their primary source of income. Most county cricket teams consisted of a mix of amateurs and professionals; the captain was always an amateur. The annual Gentlemen vs Players match pitched the two classes against each other. The distinction became obsolete in the early 20th century and was finally abolished in 1962.[5]
Young Cricketer. "Yes, I cocked one off the splice in the gully and the blighter gathered it."
Father. "Yes, but how did you get out? Were you caught, stumped or bowled, or what?"
Cartoon from Punch, 21 July 1920.
This is a general glossary of the terminology used in the sport of cricket. Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this article, they appear in italics. Certain aspects of cricket terminology are explained in more detail in cricket statistics and the naming of fielding positions is explained at fielding (cricket).
Cricket is known for its rich terminology.[1][2][3] Some terms are often thought to be arcane and humorous by those not familiar with the game.[4]
A powerful slog shot across the line (resembling a scything motion), played with little technique or footwork, particularly one that damages the pitch with the bat. May result in the ball going to cow corner.[6][7]
Air
A delivery by a spin bowler on a higher trajectory than usual, typically phased as 'giving it some air'. The term flight is a near synonym.[5] Can be combined with top spin or back spin to deceive the batsman on the length of the delivery, or with off spin or leg spin to give the ball more time to drift.
All out
An innings which has ended due to the batting side running out of wickets. This is usually because ten of the eleven batsmen have been dismissed (in rare cases, one or more may have retired due to injury instead). The term is a slight misnomer, as there is always one batman left not out.[5]
All-rounder
Traditionally, a player adept at both batting and bowling.[8] Some recent sources regard a wicket-keeper/batsman as another type of all-rounder, but this usage is not universal.[5]
Amateur
1. A cricketer who plays for pleasure, not pay. A non-professional.[5]
2. A former official distinction between players of differing social class, important in 18th and 19th century England. Amateurs (also known as gentlemen) were upper class, had usually been to private school and/or Oxbridge, and could claim expenses but not receive any other payment. Professionals (also known as players) were working class, paid wages, and relied on cricket as their primary source of income. Most county cricket teams consisted of a mix of amateurs and professionals; the captain was always an amateur. The annual Gentlemen vs Players match pitched the two classes against each other. The distinction became obsolete in the early 20th century and was finally abolished in 1962.[5]
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