Glossary of Cricket Terms - A

A

Across the line

A batsman plays across the line when he moves his bat in a direction lateral to the direction of the incoming ball.

Agricultural shot

this is a swing across the line of the ball (resembling a scything motion) played without much technique. Often one that results in a chunk of the pitch being dug up by the bat. A type of a slog.

All out

when an innings is ended due to ten of the eleven batsmen on the batting side being either dismissed or unable to bat because of injury or illness.

All-rounder

a player adept at both batting and bowling. In the modern era, this includes a wicket-keeper adept at batting.

Anchor

a top-order batsman capable of batting for a long duration throughout the innings. Usually batsmen playing at numbers 3 or 4 play such a role, especially if there is a batting collapse. An anchor plays defensively, and is often the top scorer in the innings.

Appeal

the act of a bowler or fielder shouting at the umpire to ask if his last ball took the batsman's wicket. Usually phrased in the form of howzat (how-is-that?). Common variations include 'Howzee?' (how is he?), or simply turning to the umpire and shouting. Unless bowled, the batsman will not be given out without an appeal, even if the criteria for a dismissal have otherwise been met.

Approach

The motion of the bowler prior to bowling the ball. It is also known as the run-up. Also the ground a bowler runs on during his run up. E.g.: "Play was delayed because the bowler's approaches were slippery."

Arm ball

a deceptive delivery bowled by an off spin bowler that is not spun, so, unlike the off break, it travels straight on (with the bowler's arm). A particularly good bowler's arm ball might also swing away from the batsman in the air (or in to him when delivered by a left-armer).

Around the wicket or round the wicket

a right-handed bowler passing to the right of the stumps during his bowling action, and vice-versa for left-handed bowlers.

Ashes, the

the perpetual prize in England v Australia Test match series. The Ashes originated as a result of a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper, The Sporting Times, in 1882 after a match at The Oval in which Australia beat England on an English ground for the first time. The obituary stated that English cricket had died, and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. The English media dubbed the next English tour to Australia (1882–83) as the quest to regain The Ashes. During that tour a small terracotta urn was presented to England captain Ivo Bligh by a group of Melbourne women. The contents of the urn are reputed to be the ashes of an item of cricket equipment, a bail.

Asking rate

the run rate at which the team batting second needs to score to catch the opponents score in a limited overs game.

Attacking field

A fielding configuration in which more fielders are close in to the pitch so as to take catches and dismiss batsmen more readily, at the risk of letting more runs get scored should the ball get past them.

Attacking shot

A shot of aggression or strength designed to score runs.

Average

A bowler's bowling average is defined as the total number of runs conceded by the bowler (including wides and no-balls) divided by the number of wickets taken by the bowler. A batsman's batting average is defined as the total number of runs scored by the batsman divided by the number of times he has been dismissed.

Away swing

see out swing