How well do you know your cricket?

HERE are some description of cricketing terms, words and sayings to polish up on your cricketing lingo, as compiled by our sister publication, Rising Sun Chatsworth

Leg byes

This is not a case of the umpire calling for more protest action, he might be if too many of these are given away, but usually this is a signal for a leg bye. That is a run which is awarded to the batting team if the ball hits any part of the batsman’s body aside from his hand.

No ball

There is no need for anyone to be directing traffic on the field so it is best to clarify that the umpire is actually signalling for a ‘No ball’, a penalty against the fielding team. This is usually as a result of an illegal delivery by the bowler.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Marburg Primary’s Nikkay excels at cricket

Out

If you thought the umpire is hailing a taxi to the Durban City Centre, you would be wrong, but it would be understandable. This is the signal everyone on the fielding team plays for and the batting team works to avoid. It is for the dismissal of a batter by the fielding team, either through being bowled, stumped or caught out.

Six

After you see the umpire raise both his arms, the dancers are about to come out and a jingle is about to fill the stadium. You may have guessed it, the ball has been hit for a six. This means the ball did not bounce before going over the boundary of the field and six runs are awarded to the batting team.

Penalty runs

Everybody needs a good shoulder rub every now and then, but that would not be what the umpire is getting at here. This signal is given when a penalty run is awarded. Penalty runs are awarded to the batting team because of illegal moves by the fielding team. These include no balls, wides, leg byes and a few more where five penalty runs are awarded at once.

Wide

It may be a tough day of umpiring as the job can be a little stressful, but the umpire would not be calling for a group hug here. No, he is letting the players know that somebody has bowled wide, too wide for the batsman to reach, and that means the batting team is earning an extra run and they are playing an extra ball.

Now to get you up to speed with some cricket slang:

Bouncer:

What it’s not: A gigantic man dressed in black, asking you for your I.D.

What it is: A fast pitch that rises to chest level.

Spinner:

What it’s not: A a spider
What it is: A bowler who puts a lot of spin in the ball.

Flipper:

What it’s not: it’s not: Scuba diving gear.
What it is: An underhand throw which has a backspin.

Duck:

What it’s not: The cute swimming bird.
What it is: When a batsman is out without any runs

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033