Cricket slang terms explained at Batery

You want a simple way to decode cricket slang. Here it is. We explain the words you hear on TV or at the ground, give plain-English meanings and show quick examples you can use. Where a term has a law, a rule, or a modern change, we add a short note with the source.

How to use this guide

Read the short definitions, then check the examples. If you want to go deeper, open our fielding map and basics pages. Learn the word, spot it live and use it in your own match chat.

Bowling slang you hear every match

Yorker

A fast ball that lands near the batter’s toes. Used at the death to stop big hits. Spot it when the bat jams down late. Analysts call it the death-or-glory ball for a reason.

Beamer

A full toss that does not bounce and passes the batter above waist height. It is illegal, called no-ball at once and can lead to a warning or removal. Do not confuse with a bouncer, which does bounce.

Bouncer

A short ball that rises toward the head or chest after bouncing. Legal within limits and a classic fast-bowler tactic. Check umpire signals if a limit is breached.

Googly

A leg-spinner’s surprise ball that turns the other way. For a right-arm leggie to a right-hand batter, it turns in, not away. Often saved for set batters.

Doosra

An off-spinner’s delivery that turns the other way, like a leg-break to a right-hander. Hard to read off the hand, popularised in the modern era.

Carrom ball

The bowler flicks the ball with the fingers like a carrom striker. It can go straight or either way. Ajantha Mendis brought it back to global attention in 2008.

Cutter

A pace bowler’s slower ball that grips and deviates off the pitch. Used a lot in T20 at venues with some tack.

Jaffa

A perfect ball that beats the bat or takes the edge. Commentators also say peach or corker. You will hear it after a wicket with the seam kissing the top of off.

Corridor of uncertainty

That narrow line just outside off stump where the batter is not sure to play or leave. Classic line for new-ball spells and slip cordons.

Batting slang that helps you read intent

Scoop, ramp and paddle

Low-risk or high-skill shots over the keeper or fine leg in T20. Watch the batter move across the stumps and open the face late.

Switch-hit and reverse sweep

The batter changes stance or plays the opposite way to beat fields. Umpires judge LBW based on the batter's stance when the bowler starts their run-up, even if it changes mid-delivery for a switch-hit.

Anchor and finisher

Anchor builds the innings at a steady rate. Finisher closes the chase in the last five overs. You will hear both a lot in IPL talk.

Slog overs

Common phrase for the last five overs of a white-ball innings. Expect yorkers, slower balls and long-on traffic.

Fielding and tactics words that confuse new fans

Nightwatchman

A lower-order player sent up late in a Test day to protect a main batter until stumps. The goal is survival, not runs.

Cow corner

The deep mid-wicket region for big slogs. You will hear it in T20 when hitters target the arc.

Cordon, gully and silly point

Cordon means the group of slip fielders. Gully stands wider behind the point. Silly point is the brave close catcher by the bat. See map in /glossary/cricket-fielding-positions.

Dismissals and law-linked slang

Mankad, now called Run-out of the non-striker

The MCC moved this from unfair play to the run-out law in 2022. If the non-striker leaves the crease early, the bowler can run them out before release. The modern term is run-out at the non-striker’s end.

Golden duck, diamond duck and king pair

Golden duck is out first ball. Diamond duck is out without facing. King pair is two first-ball ducks in a Test. Scorebooks still love these grim labels.

Nelson

The score 111 and by extension 222 and 333, seen by some as unlucky. Umpire David Shepherd made the leg-lift famous when the scoreboard hit 111.

Modern slang from TV and T20

Powerplay

The fielding restriction block at the start of an innings. Fewer fielders outside the ring, so teams go hard.

Impact Player

IPL rule since 2023 that allows a tactical substitute from a list of five. It has changed game patterns and created late batting boosts. You will hear it every IPL night.

Free hit

After a front-foot no-ball in limited overs, the next ball is a free hit. Bowled dismissals do not count, so batters swing hard.

Bazball

Shorthand for England’s ultra-positive Test approach under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. Expect fast scoring and bold declarations. The word entered common use in 2022 and even reached dictionaries and media debate.

Hinglish quick helps

“Death bowling ka plan kya hai” means you want yorkers, slower balls and wide lines late.

“Anchor khel raha hai ya intent dikh raha hai” helps you judge tempo in a chase.

“Beamer aaya, no-ball aur free hit” is the fast way to explain the call on TV.

Pocket table you can save

Slang	Plain meaning	When you hear it
Yorker	Ball at the toes to stop hitting	Death overs and tight finishes
Beamer	High full toss, illegal, no-ball	Umpire stops play and warns bowler
Googly	Leg-spinner’s ball that turns in	Set batters get surprised late
Doosra	Off-spinner’s ball that turns away	Read off the seam is tough
Carrom ball	Flicked spin that can go either way	Subcontinent white-ball games
Jaffa	Unplayable delivery	Often after a wicket or edge
Corridor	Line just outside off stump	New ball, slips waiting
Nightwatchman	Tailender protects a top batter late	Tests near stumps time
Impact Player	IPL tactical sub from five named	Second innings boosts
Nelson	111 superstition, leg-lift lore	When the score hits 111

Quick checklist to learn fast

Watch the first two overs for corridor and slips.
Check middle overs for doosra, googly, carrom ball.
Track the last five overs for yorkers, cutters and free hits.
In IPL, scan the TV graphic for Impact Player changes.
In Tests, look near stumps for nightwatchman calls.

Cricket Slang Terms Explained