Glossary of Cricket Terms - H

H

Hack

a batsman of generally low skill with an excessively aggressive approach to batting, commonly with a preference towards lofted cross bat shots. A poor defensive stance and lack of defensive strokes are also features of a hack. Can also be used for one particular stroke

Half century

an individual score of over 50 runs, but not over 100 (century). Reasonably significant landmark for a batsman and more so for the lower order and the tail-enders.

Half-tracker

another term for a long hop. So called because the ball roughly bounces halfway down the pitch.

Half-volley

a delivery that bounces just short of the block hole. Usually easy to drive or glance away.

Half yorker

a delivery intentionally bowled at the base of the stumps. Similar to half volley being a slightly over-pitched yorker.

Handled the ball

Harrow drive

see French cut

Hat-trick

a bowler taking a wicket off each of three consecutive deliveries that he bowls in a single match (whether in the same over or split up in two consecutive overs, or two overs in two different spells, or even spread across two innings of a test match or first-class cricket game).

Hat-trick ball

a delivery bowled after taking two wickets with the previous two deliveries. The captain will usually set a very attacking field for a hat-trick ball, to maximise the chances of the bowler taking a hat-trick.

Hawk-Eye (or Eagle-Eye)

a computer-generated graphic which tracks the trajectory of a delivery between the bowler and batsman, and shows the probable trajectory of the ball if it were not hindered by the batsman. Used in an official capacity by the third umpire to assess lbw decisions under the decision review system. Commentators use Hawk-Eye as a visual aide to assess bowlers' deliveries, and (in the days before the DRS) to assess lbw decisions.

Have the call

see call (2).

Heavy Roller

a very heavy cylinder of metal used by the ground staff, to improve a wicket for bowling.

Helicopter shot

A stroke played by swinging the bat in an "uppercut" fashion so that it catches the ball partly from below; in the follow-through the bat flails up and round vertically, through an angle that may exceed 180 degrees. The shot was so named in a Pepsi soft drinks commercial featuring Indian batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who frequently uses the shot. The helicopter shot is very risky, but can be unusually effective at scoring boundaries against yorkers.

Hip Clip

a trademark shot of Brian Lara involving a flick of the wrist to whip a ball, at hip height, at right angles past the fielder at square leg.

Hit the ball twice

Hit wicket

a batsman getting out by dislodging the bails of the wicket behind him either with his bat or body as he tries to play the ball or set off for a run.

Hoik

an unrefined shot played to the leg side usually across the line of the ball.

Hold up an end

A batsman who is intentionally restricting his scoring and concentrating on defence while his batting partner scores runs at the other end; or, a bowler who is bowling defensively to restrict runs at his end while his bowling partner tries to take wickets at the other end.

Hole out

To be dismissed by being caught, usually referring to a catch from a lofted shot (or attempt thereof) in the outfield or forward from the wicket, rather than being caught behind by the wicketkeeper, in the slips cordon, or a leg trap fielder from edges or gloved balls.

Hoodoo

a bowler is said to 'have the hoodoo' on a batsman when they have got them out many times in their career. (See rabbit II.)

Hook

a shot, similar to a pull, but played so that the ball is struck when it is above the batsman's shoulder.

Hot Spot

a technology used in television coverage to evaluate snicks and bat-pad catches. The batsman is filmed with an infrared camera, and friction caused by the strike of the ball shows up as a white "hot spot" on the picture.

"How's that?" (or "Howzat?")

the cry of a fielding team when appealing, notable because an umpire is not permitted to give the batsman 'out' unless the question is asked.

Hutch

the pavilion or dressing room, especially one that is home to a large number of rabbits.