Batting Order (cricket) - Lower Order or Tail

Lower Order or Tail

The lower order is made up of players who have average or poor batting skills. These players are the team's specialist bowlers and sometimes the wicketkeeper. Therefore the start of the lower order may vary in position depending on the balance of the side in terms of overall batting capability. Lower order batsmen are generally known as tail-enders.

It is likely that these batsmen will be dismissed for low scores. However, as expectations on these players are low when they are batting, they often play aggressive, carefree shots in the hope of achieving as many runs as possible. On occasion, the scores posted by the lower order have made a difference to the outcome of a match. If a significant contribution has come from the tail-enders, it is often said that "the tail wagged".

On occasions in which the batting team is a long way behind its opponents, the lower-order batsmen may attempt to salvage a draw by playing defensively until the end of the match. An example of this would be the first test in the 2009 Ashes series, in which England bowlers James Anderson and Monty Panesar were able to remain at the crease for 11.3 overs, denying Australia the chance to win the match.

The last batsman in the order is sometimes referred to as Last man Jack, a term that has passed into everyday parlance. This is because if the batting order were arranged as a pack of cards numbers 9 and 10 would be followed by Jack.