Glossary of Cricket Terms - M

M

Maiden over

an over in which no runs are scored off the bat, and no wides or no balls are bowled. Considered a good performance for a bowler, maiden overs are tracked as part of a bowling analysis.

Maker's name

the full face of the bat, where the manufacturer's logo is normally located. Used particularly when referring to a batsman's technique when playing a straight drive, e.g. "Sachin Tendulkar played a beautiful on-drive for four, giving it plenty of maker's name...".

Manhattan

also called the Skyline. It is a bar graph of the runs scored off each over in a one-day game, with dots indicating the overs in which wickets fell. The name is alternatively applied to a bar graph showing the number of runs scored in each innings in a batsman's career. So called because the bars supposedly resemble the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline of Manhattan.

Mankad

the running-out of a non-striking batsman who leaves his crease before the bowler has released the ball. It is named after Vinoo Mankad, an Indian bowler, who controversially used this method in a Test match. This is relatively common in indoor cricket and is noted separately from run outs, though almost unheard of in first-class cricket.

Man of the match

an award which may be given to the highest scoring batsman, leading wicket taker or best overall performer in a match. Man of the series is the same over a whole series.

Marillier shot

a shot played with the bat held parallel to the pitch in front of the batsman, with the toe of the bat pointing towards the bowler. The batsman attempts to flick the ball over the wicket-keeper's head. Famous exponents of the shot include former Zimbabwean international Dougie Marillier, and Kiwi Brendon McCullum, and Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan. Also known as the Dilscoop (after Dilshan), the Paddle scoop, the "ramp shot".

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

the cricket club that owns Lord's cricket ground in London NW8. It is the custodian of the laws of cricket.

Match fixing

bribing players of one of the teams to deliberately play poorly, with the intention of cashing in on bets on the result of the game.

Match referee

an official whose role is to ensure that the spirit of the game is upheld. He has the power to fine players and/or teams for unethical play.

Meat of the bat

the thickest part of the bat, from which the most energy is imparted to the ball.

Medium-pace

a bowler who bowls slower than a pace bowler, but faster than a spin bowler. Speed is important to the medium-pacer, but they try and defeat the batsman with the movement of the ball, rather than the pace at which it is bowled. Medium-pacers either bowl cutters or rely on the ball to swing in the air. They usually bowl at about 55–70 mph (90–110 km/h).

Michelle

See five-wicket haul.

Middle of the bat

the area of the face of the bat that imparts maximum power to a shot if that part of the bat hits the ball. Also known as the "meat" of the bat. Effectively the same as the sweet spot; however, a shot that has been "middled" usually means one that is hit with great power as well as timing.

Middle order

the batsmen who bat at between roughly number 5 and 7 in the batting order. Often includes all-rounders and the wicket-keeper.

Mid wicket

A field position on leg side that is a mirror of deep extra cover on the off side.

Military medium

medium-pace bowling that lacks the speed to trouble the batsman. Often has derogatory overtones, suggesting the bowling is boring, innocuous, or lacking in variety, but can also be a term of praise, suggesting a military regularity and lack of unintended variation. A good military medium bowler will pitch the ball on the same perfect line and length for six balls an over, making it very hard for the batsman to score runs.

"Mine"

shouted by a fieldsman when "calling" a catch; that is, announcing to other fieldsmen that he is in a position to take the catch. This is considered good practice, as it prevents two fieldsmen colliding with one another in an attempt to take the same catch. See call.

Mis-field

a fielder failing to collect the ball cleanly, often fumbling a pickup or dropping a catch.

Mongoose bat

A cricket bat specifically designed for Twenty20 cricket. The design is unusual in that the blade is 33% shorter than a conventional bat and the handle is 43% longer.

Mullygrubber

a ball that doesn't bounce after pitching. This term was coined by legendary player and commentator Richie Benaud.