Understanding The Language Of Cricket
Cricket is not only known for its technical intricacies and captivating matches, but also for its peculiar and colourful language. From bowling a googly to standing in silly mid-off, cricket is a sport that boasts language that can seem perplexing to outsiders. If you don’t know what it is that is being referred to, either by fellow players if you head to the village green on a Sunday or by the commentators when you tune in to watch a Test match such as the Ashes, you could soon decide that cricket isn’t the sport for you and be tempted to walk away from it entirely, which would be a shame.
Whilst the lexicon of cricket can seem impenetrable to an outsider, the world of cricketing phrases is a fascinating one. Decoding the hidden meanings and origins behind these unique terms can be great fun, as well as provide you with insight to mean that the next time you find someone using an odd phrase or word, you won’t feel quite so in the dark. We can’t promise that you’ll soon be able to bowl with spin, but being able to join in a conversation without feeling as though someone else is speaking Greek will at least make things a little bit more fun and inclusive for you.
We obviously aren’t telling you about every single position available in cricket, assuming at least a little bit of knowledge of the sport. These, though, are amongst the oddest sound ones that you’re likely to come across if you spend time either playing or watching the game. We will look at each of the various positions in cricket separately, helping to break it down a bit rather than throwing everything at you in one large chunk and hoping you will be able to work it all out.
The Language Of Fielding
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In cricket, the art of fielding encompasses a range of unique terms and positions that define the players’ strategic placements on the field.
Each position serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the fielding team.
Understanding these terms is essential for comprehending the dynamics of fielding in cricket and ensuring that you’re taking up the right position, should you be asked to play in a game and given the instruction to head to one part of the field over another.
Here are some key phrases involved in the language of fielding:
Silly Mid-Off
Silly mid-off refers to a fielding position close to the batter on the off-side. The fielder stands just a few yards away and plays a crucial role in catching any shots hit close to the bat. It shouldn’t be confused with silly mid-on, which is effectively the same role but on the leg side. The fact that it is so close to someone that might smash a hard ball quickly at your head is probably where the ‘silly’ bit comes from. Silly point is another term that fits into this bracket.
Gully
The gully position is located on the off-side, usually in the region between the slips and point. The fielder that is given this role aims to catch or stop shots that are hit with an angled bat towards the slips.
Third Man
Positioned behind the batter on the off-side, the third man is responsible for catching or stopping shots that are hit fine down the leg side.
Slips Cordon
The slips cordon consists of two or more fielders positioned behind the batter on the off-side. They stand close together and attempt to catch any edges from the batter’s shots.
Ring Field
The term ‘ring field’ refers to a strategic fielding arrangement where fielders are positioned relatively close to the batter in a circular formation. This tactic is employed to restrict the batter’s scoring options by limiting the gaps in the field for them to find.
Short Leg
Sometimes referred to as ‘bat pad’, this position is intended to try to catch any balls that have struck the bat and the leg pad unintentionally. If that happens, the ball will usually end up within a metre or two of the batter’s leg side, hence needing someone in there.
Square Leg
There is a square of the wicket on the leg side of the field. Deep square leg is the name given to the fielder who is in this position but is deep in the field by the boundary, should the batter decide to try to hit it in this direction. Backward square leg, meanwhile, is just behind the batter.
Cover Point
In cricket, the cover area is one that is in the off-side and runs from point right the way round to mid-off. It is not uncommon for the better fielders to be placed here, largely because it is one of the busy positions in the field.
Cow Corner
If ever there was a phrase to sum up the ridiculousness of the names of positions in cricket, perhaps Cow Corner is it. It is on the boundary, in front of square and on the leg-side. The fielder here will be straighter than the deep mid-wicket, with the responsibilities being similar to other boundary-based fielders. Because of its similarity to deep mid-wicket, captains don’t usually have both positions occupied.
Bowling Jargon
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In cricket, bowling jargon consists of a wide range of terms used to describe different aspects of the bowling action, tactics and deliveries. Understanding these terms can help cricket enthusiasts better appreciate the nuances of bowling. Here are some common bowling terms it might be handy for you to know:
Yorker
A yorker is a delivery that pitches right at the batter’s feet, making it difficult for them to play an attacking shot. It aims to hit the base of the stumps or force the batter to be extremely defensive in their play.
Bouncer
A bouncer is a short-pitched delivery that rises sharply towards the batter’s head. It is intended to surprise and intimidate the batter, often forcing them to duck or fend off the ball. The hope is that they might try to protect their head instinctively, with the ball nicking the bat or gloves as a result.
Googly
A googly is a type of delivery bowled by a leg-spinner. It is a deceptive delivery that spins in the opposite direction to what the batter expects, often causing confusion and leading to a wicket.
Doosra
Similar to the googly, the doosra is a delivery bowled by an off-spinner or an off-break bowler that spins in the opposite direction to the normal off-break. It aims to deceive the batter and create uncertainty.
Carrom Ball
The carrom ball is a delivery bowled by finger spinners, primarily off-spinners. It is released using the middle finger and flicked out with a snapping action, causing the ball to skid off the surface rather than spin.
Reverse Swing
Reverse swing is a phenomenon that occurs with an old ball, where the bowler gets the ball to deviate in the opposite direction to conventional swing. It requires skilful manipulation of the ball’s surface to achieve movement that will hopefully end up deceiving the batter.
Inswinger/Outswinger
An inswinger refers to a delivery that curves towards the batter, moving from off to leg for a right-handed batsman. Conversely, an outswinger moves away from the batter, from leg to off for a right-handed batter. These are conventional in nature, but if a bowler can get sufficient swing then a batter might struggle to cope with the ball’s movement.
Slower Ball
A slower ball is a delivery bowled with a significantly reduced pace to deceive the batter. Bowlers often use variations in grip and wrist position to achieve a slower ball, which can catch out a batter expecting it to come in at a faster speed.
Batting Terminology
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There are a wide range of cricketing terms used to describe different aspects of a batter’s technique, shots and strategies. Familiarity with these terms enhances the understanding of batting and the overall game. Here are some common batting terminologies that you might come across:
Block
A defensive shot played with a straight bat to stop the ball from hitting the stumps or getting caught by the fielders. Whilst runs can be scored from it, it is more about stopping the bowler from getting the batter out.
Drive
A shot played by hitting the ball with a full swing of the bat along the ground, typically towards the boundary. It can be a straight drive, cover drive or off-drive, depending on the direction that the ball is hit.
Cut
A horizontal shot played to a short-pitched delivery outside off stump, with the bat cutting across the ball to guide it square of the wicket.
Pull
A shot played to a short-pitched delivery, where the batsman uses a vertical bat to hit the ball forcefully in front of square on the leg side.
Sweep
A shot played by bending low and hitting the ball with a sweeping motion across the line, typically played to spinners on the leg side.
Hook
A shot played to a short-pitched delivery aimed at the head or upper body, where the batter hits the ball forcefully in a horizontal direction behind square on the leg side.
Reverse Sweep
A shot played by a right-handed batter using a left-handed batting grip or vice versa, typically to counter spin bowling and change the angle of attack.
Dilscoop
A highly unconventional shot where the batter premeditates a scoop shot over the wicketkeeper’s head by crouching and playing the ball from outside off stump.
Run Rate
The average number of runs scored per over, used to measure a team’s scoring rate during an innings and give an indication of the likely total that they’ll be able to rack up.
Strike Rate
The number of runs scored by a batter per 100 balls faced, indicating the speed and effectiveness of the batter’s scoring.
Covering The Stumps
When a batter moves into a position where the front pad is slightly outside off stump, providing protection against being bowled or out thanks to leg before wicket.
On The Up
A shot played to a delivery that is rising, hitting the ball before it reaches its highest point.
Opening The Face Of The Bat
Changing the angle of the bat face to guide the ball towards the off side, typically played to deliveries outside off stump.
The Art of Cricketing Tactics
There are some words and terminology involved in the tactics of cricket that are not necessarily to do with any specific aspect of the game. It is common for cricketers to engage in sledging, for example, which is an attempt to get into the mind’s of an opposition cricketer by winding them up or being a little bit abusive.
Here is a look at some of the key phrases to do with the art of cricketing tactics:
Nightwatchman
In Test cricket, a lower-order batters is sent in as a nightwatchman near the end of a day’s play to protect more accomplished batters from facing the new ball and potentially losing a wicket before the close of play.
Follow-On
If the team batting first in a Test match scores a significant lead over the opposing team, which is usually in the region of 200 runs or more, they have the option to enforce the follow-on. This means that they can send the opposition back to bat immediately without batting again themselves.
The Decision Review System
DRS is a technology-based system used in cricket to review on-field umpiring decisions. It allows teams to challenge umpire calls on dismissals, boundaries and other aspects of the game. The system utilises ball-tracking technology, stump microphones and thermal imaging to assist in making accurate decisions. The Decision Review System is similar in nature of the likes of the VAR in football, insomuch as it uses technology to ensure that the correct decision has been made at any given moment.
Cricket has embraced various technological advancements in order to aid decision-making, player analysis and fan engagement. Some examples include Hawk-Eye, which provides the ball-tracking and LBW decision analysis used in the DRS; Snickometer, which detects faint edges; Spidercam, which is a camera suspended on cables to provide unique aerial views; and Ultra Edge, which uses audio and video technology to determine if the ball has made contact with the bat.
When it comes to cricket tactics, knowing when to turn to DRS and when not to can be the difference between a team winning and losing a match. Each team is given an allotted number of challenges to a decision, which they can use if they think that an umpire has made the wrong call. If they are correct in their challenge then they get to keep the challenge, whilst if they are incorrect then they will lose it. Run out of challenges and you might end up getting an incorrect decision given against you that you can do nothing about, hence why it is tactically important.
