The term "duck ball" is not a standard term in cricket. However, understanding what a "duck" is in cricket helps clarify what someone might mean by the term. A "duck" refers to a specific scenario for a batsman.
What is a Duck in Cricket?
In cricket, a duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed with a score of zero.
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Meaning: The batsman fails to score any runs before getting out.
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Origin: The term is believed to originate from the shape of a duck's egg, which resembles the shape of a zero.
Golden Duck
According to the provided reference, a golden duck has a very specific meaning.
- A batsman dismissed off their very first delivery faced is known as a golden duck.
Possible Interpretations of "Duck Ball"
Since "duck ball" isn't an official term, its use likely stems from combining the concept of a "duck" with the act of bowling the ball. Here are a few possibilities:
- A ball that directly leads to a batsman getting out for a duck: This would be any delivery that results in the batsman being dismissed without scoring.
- A ball that gets a batsman out for a golden duck: A delivery so good that the batsman is out on their first ball faced.
- A ball bowled with the intention of getting a batsman out for a duck: This describes the bowler's strategy.
Therefore, although not a formal cricket term, "duck ball" likely relates to a delivery that results in a batsman's dismissal for zero runs.
