Cricket terminology can be fascinating yet confusing for newcomers to the sport. Among the most intriguing terms is “duck,” which represents one of the most disappointing outcomes for any batsman.
Understanding the various types of ducks in cricket helps fans appreciate the nuances of batting statistics and the challenges players face when stepping onto the field.
What Is A Duck In Cricket?
A duck in cricket occurs when a batsman gets dismissed without scoring any runs during their innings. This means the player’s score remains at zero throughout their time at the crease before being given out through any of the ten methods of dismissal. The batsman must be dismissed – if they remain not out at the end of their team’s innings with zero runs, it doesn’t qualify as a duck since they still had the opportunity to score.
Why Is It Called A Duck?
The term “duck” has historical roots dating back to cricket’s early days. Originally called a “duck’s egg,” the phrase draws its meaning from the visual similarity between the number zero (0) and the oval shape of a duck’s egg.
Over time, the expression was shortened to simply “duck,” becoming one of cricket’s most enduring pieces of terminology. The earliest recorded use of this term appeared in 1866 when a newspaper reported that the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) “retired to the royal pavilion on a duck’s egg” after being dismissed for zero runs.
9 Types of Ducks in Cricket
Let’s discuss every type of duck you might see in Cricket:
1. Golden Duck
The golden duck represents the most notorious dismissal in cricket. A batsman earns this unwelcome distinction when they get out on the very first delivery they face without scoring any runs. For example, in 2021, in 2nd test between India vs England, Anderson came in to bat and was dismissed on the first ball by Shami, capping off India’s remarkable win at Lord’s.
2. Silver Duck
When a batsman faces exactly two deliveries and gets dismissed for zero runs, they’ve recorded a silver duck.
This occurs less frequently in commentary compared to the golden duck, but it remains a recognized term among cricket enthusiasts and statisticians.
3. Bronze Duck
A bronze duck happens when a player gets out without scoring on the third ball of their innings. Like the silver duck, this term isn’t universally used by commentators but maintains its place in cricket’s extensive vocabulary.
4. Diamond Duck
Perhaps the most unusual duck, a diamond duck, occurs when a batsman gets dismissed without facing a single legal delivery. This typically happens through run-outs, where the non-striker attempts a quick single but gets caught short of the crease. Other scenarios include being timed out or obstructing the field before facing a ball.
5. Titanium Duck
A titanium duck is essentially a diamond duck with an additional specification – it happens to an opening batsman who gets dismissed without facing a delivery on the very first ball of their team’s innings. This infrequent occurrence has been recorded fewer than 20 times in international cricket.
6. Royal Duck
Also known as a platinum duck in some regions, a royal duck occurs when an opening batsman gets dismissed on the first ball of their team’s innings.
Unlike a titanium duck, the batsman faces the delivery before being given out for zero runs.
7. Laughing Duck
This unique duck happens when a batsman gets dismissed for zero runs on the final ball of their team’s innings, regardless of how many deliveries they’ve faced. The term originated from television broadcasts that used animated duck graphics when players were dismissed without scoring a point.
8. Golden Goose
Moving slightly away from traditional ducks, a golden goose occurs when a batter gets out for zero runs on the first ball of the first match of a new season. This rare occurrence adds an extra layer of disappointment for players hoping to start fresh.
9. Pair And King Pair
In multi-innings formats like Test cricket, batters have additional duck-related challenges. A “pair” refers to getting out for duck in both innings of the exact match. The scorebook shows two zeros (00), resembling a pair of spectacles.
A “king pair” represents an even worse scenario – getting out for golden ducks in both innings of the exact match. This means the batter faced only two balls throughout the entire game and got dismissed on both occasions. For Example, Australia batter Travis Head registered a King Pair in Test cricket in the second Test match against West Indies. Playing on Sunday, 28 January, Head was caught behind on the first ball of Shamar Joseph. Head was clean bowled by Shamar Joseph in the second innings of the game at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane.
Players With the Most Ducks in All Formats
The table highlights cricketers with the most ducks (scores of zero) in international cricket history. Topping the list is Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, who recorded 59 ducks in 495 matches, followed by Courtney Walsh of the West Indies with 54 ducks in 337 games. Also featured are legendary players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Glenn McGrath, and Stuart Broad, who each had 49 or more ducks in their international careers. While these players were celebrated for their bowling or all-round contributions, this table sheds light on their less successful outings with the bat.
| Player | Mat | 0 |
|---|---|---|
| M Muralidaran (SL) | 495 | 59 |
| CA Walsh (WI) | 337 | 54 |
| ST Jayasuriya (SL) | 586 | 53 |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | 376 | 49 |
| SCJ Broad (ENG) | 344 | 49 |
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Conclusion: Understanding Ducks, A Simple Look at Cricket’s Unlucky Dismissals
Understanding the various types of ducks enriches the cricket-watching experience and provides insight into the statistical complexities of the game. While no batter aims to achieve any form of duck, these dismissals remain an inevitable part of cricket. From the common golden duck to the extremely rare titanium duck, each variation tells a story about the circumstances surrounding a player’s dismissal.
For cricket enthusiasts, recognizing these terms enhances appreciation for batting statistics and the mental challenges players face. Whether watching international cricket or local matches, duck terminology remains a fundamental part of cricket’s rich linguistic tradition, connecting modern fans with the sport’s historical roots.
