What Is Duck In Cricket

In cricket, the term 'duck' refers to a batsman's dismissal with a score of zero. The origin of this term is traced back to the shape of a duck's egg, which resembles the number 0. This term is used when a batter is out without scoring any runs, leaving the field with a zero next to their name.

There are various types of ducks in cricket, each with unique circumstances. A 'golden duck' refers to a batsman being dismissed off their first delivery faced. A 'diamond duck' is when a batsman is dismissed without facing a ball, usually run out from the non-striker's end or stumped or run out off a wide delivery. A 'king pair' is when a batter is dismissed on the first ball faced in both innings of a first-class cricket match without scoring a single run.

Other types of ducks include the 'silver duck' (dismissed on the second ball), 'bronze duck' (dismissed on the third ball), and 'royal duck' (an opener dismissed on the first ball of the innings). A 'laughing duck' is when a batter gets out for a duck to end an inning. If a batter is dismissed for a duck in both innings of the same match, it is called a pair'.

The term 'duck' has been used in cricket since the sport's early days, with the first recorded use dating back to 1866 when the Prince of Wales scored nought. The term is now universally applied throughout the cricket world.