How to Learn Cricket Terms

Laughing at the hundreds of obscure and arcane terms used in cricket can be a sport in itself. Carry on then, as the British like to say. Learn just a wee touch of the phrases associated with a popular outdoor game played by two teams of 11 that is nothing like baseball though it uses bats and a ball. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Defending one's wicket and score runs is "batting."
2. Try a fast but short pitch attempt that is aimed near the batsman's head is called, "bouncer."
3. Delivering the ball to the batsman is called "bowling."
4. Throw the ball instead of bowling the ball is called "chuck," which is done by straightening the elbow while prepping to fling the ball.
5. Collect the ball when the batsman hits it, and you are, "fielding."
6. Shot by a batsman with his weight on his front foot, is known as a "front-footer."
7. Fling the ball so it reaches a batsman before it bounces, to become a "full toss."
8. Attempt at bowling when not properly warmed up, is a "loosener."
9. Bat only to stop the opponent without attempting to score is a defensive move called "stonewall."

Tips & Warnings

• If you watch a cricket match on British telly, you will hear terms like duck, gully, inswinger, Maiden over, pie thrower, night watchman, stumped, and yorker. Watch and enjoy, and if it gets a wee bit much, turn the sound off.