A - C            D - F           G - J             K - N            O - R             S - Z

Terminology Home

Off (Side)
The area immediately to the front of the batsman when waiting for the bowler to deliver a ball. opposite to the On side. The side facing the bat basically.

Outfield
The part of the cricket pitch closest to the boundary nearest the midges, trees, midges, ditches, etc.

Over
The set number of balls bowled by a bowler. An over consists of 6 balls. The term “Over” is also called by the umpire when the bowler has completed his 6 legal balls. See Slammer for ways to bowl a 12 ball over !

Over the Wicket
Used to describe the bowling action of the bowler when the delivery arm follows through on the side closest to the stumps. The opposite term is Around the wicket, which describes the bowling action of a bowler when the delivery arm follows through on the side furthest from the stumps.

Overthrow
Describes the extra runs scored when a ball is missed by the fielder or wicketkeeper when returned to the stumps by a fielder, usually Graeme Henry at around 200 miles an hour.

Pace (Bowling - Bowler)
Describes all types of bowling other than spin bowling. Can vary from medium to fast pace, or in Graeme case just fast...

Pad
A protective device used to protect the legs of both batsmen and wicketkeepers from being struck by the ball. Can also describe the manner in which a batsman may deflect the ball away from the stumps by thrusting the leg and striking the ball. See Grant McKellar for details.

Partnership
Refers to the batting performance by two particular batsmen whilst batting together during any particular innings, or to the cumulative score made by two partnering batsmen.

Pick
In batting, refers to the ability of the batsman to visually observe the type of delivery about to be bowled by a bowler. In bowling, refers to a method adopted by bowlers to lift the seam of a cricket ball to gain an unfair advantage, see Billy Marshall and the Stanley Knife for details.

Pitch
A term also used to describe the wicket where the batting and bowling is performed. Wickets must be 22 yards in length to comply with the Laws of Cricket.

Plumb
When a batsman is standing directly in the line of the stumps, usually used in an LBW decision.

Return
The throw by a fielder of the ball to either the wicketkeeper or the non strikers end.

Robbie Doo / Two Dumps
Ask Robin Henry for this one.

Run
The method of scoring during a game of cricket. Also a single unit of score.

Runner
A player dressed in full batting equipment called to act as the runner for an injured batsman. A runner is only permitted to run for the injured batsman, who is still required to face the bowling.

Run Out
A method of dismissing the batsman by disturbing the stumps before the batsman has made his ground and is within the batting crease.

A - C            D - F           G - J             K - N            O - R             S - Z

Terminology Home