In cricket, what is the term for a score of zero by a batter?
VerifiedAnswer: Duck
Explanation:
In cricket, when a batter gets dismissed without scoring any runs, it's called a "duck". This term has become one of the most recognizable cricket expressions worldwide and represents every batter's nightmare - walking back to the pavilion with zero runs against their name.
The origin of this term is quite interesting. The word "duck" comes from the phrase "duck's egg," which refers to the shape of the number zero (0) that resembles an egg. When a batter fails to score and gets out, the zero on the scoreboard looks similar to a duck's egg, hence the term stuck in cricket vocabulary.
There are different types of ducks in cricket terminology. A "golden duck" occurs when a batter gets out on the very first ball they face without scoring. This is considered even more disappointing than a regular duck. An even rarer occurrence is a "diamond duck" or "royal duck," where a batter gets run out without facing a single ball, often while attempting a run off their partner's shot.
Getting out for a duck can happen in various ways - being bowled, caught, given out LBW (Leg Before Wicket), stumped, hit wicket, or run out. Regardless of the method of dismissal, if the batter hasn't scored any runs, it's still recorded as a duck in the scorebook.
While getting a duck is generally seen as a failure, even the greatest cricket players in history have experienced this setback. It's part of the game's unpredictable nature, where even world-class batters can be dismissed without troubling the scorers. Many legendary players have memorable duck stories that remind us that cricket can humble anyone at any time.
In match statistics, ducks are carefully recorded and often become talking points among cricket enthusiasts. Teams try to avoid getting multiple players out for ducks as it usually indicates poor batting performance and can significantly impact the team's total score and chances of winning the match.
