One of the most frustrating things for a batsman in cricket is to get out on the very first ball, simply getting a duck, which is called a Golden Duck in a match. Similarly, even if you haven’t faced a ball and you get run out, this is also called a duck, but it’s a Diamond Duck, which is even more frustrating than the Golden Duck. Many of us don’t know that there are 10 different types of Ducks in Cricket. In this article, we will understand the ten different types of Ducks in cricket.

Ducks Meaning in Cricket

In cricket, a “duck” refers to a batsman’s dismissal with a score of zero. The term originates from the term “duck’s egg,” used long before Test cricket began, to describe a score of nought due to its shape resembling that of a duck’s egg. This term has evolved over time and is now simply referred to as a “duck” in cricketing parlance.

First Duck in Cricket

The first recorded instance of a duck in Test cricket occurred in the inaugural Test match between Australia and England in March 1877, marking the beginning of a long history of this unfortunate scoring outcome for batsmen. The record for the most ducks in Test cricket is held by West Indies player Courtney Walsh, who was dismissed for nought on 43 occasions, illustrating how even the most skilled players can fall victim to this fate.

10 Types of Ducks in Cricket

Golden Duck – Out on the first ball without scoring any Run

A Golden Duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed by the first ball they face in their innings. This term is universally recognized and represents a quick and disappointing end to a batsman’s time at the crease.

Silver Duck – Out on the second ball without scoring any Run

A “Silver Duck” occurs when a batsman is dismissed by the second ball they face in their innings. This term captures the slight extension of hope compared to a Golden Duck, where the batsman is dismissed on the very first ball. Despite facing one more delivery, the outcome remains equally disappointing, marking a brief and unfruitful stay at the crease.

Bronze Duck – Out on the third ball without scoring any Run

Similarly, a “Bronze Duck” is when a batsman finds themselves back in the pavilion after being dismissed by the third ball they face. This term suggests a marginally longer but still minimal opportunity for the batsman to make an impact in the game.

Diamond Duck – Out without even playing a Ball

A Diamond Duck happens when a batsman is dismissed without facing a single delivery. This can occur if the batsman is run out from the non-striker’s end or stumped/run out off a wide delivery. It’s particularly disheartening because the batsman doesn’t even get the chance to play a ball.

Royal or Platinum Duck – Out on the first ball of Innings

This variation of a duck is when a batsman is dismissed by the first ball of the entire innings, not just their first ball faced. It adds a layer of ignominy, as the batsman’s dismissal sets a negative tone for the team’s innings right from the start.

Pair – Out for a Duck in both innings of a two innings match

In a two-inning match, a pair occurs when a batsman is out for a duck in each of the two innings. It’s a rare and unfortunate feat, symbolizing a complete failure to contribute runs during the match.

King Pair – Out for a Golden Duck in both innings of a two innings match

Even more specific and unfortunate is the King Pair, which occurs when a batsman is dismissed for a Golden Duck in both innings of a match. It’s a royal flush of misfortune, marking a player’s match as utterly forgettable.

Audi – Out on Duck for Four Consecutive Innings

An Audi is not a single dismissal but a sequence where a batsman gets out for ducks in four consecutive innings. The term comes from the Audi car emblem, which features four interlocked rings, symbolizing continuous rounds of zero scores.

Olympic Rings – Out on Duck for Five Consecutive Innings

Taking the concept of consecutive ducks further, an Olympic refers to a batsman getting dismissed for ducks in five consecutive innings, alluding to the five interlocking rings of the Olympic Games symbol. This is an exceedingly rare and unwanted record.

Laughing Duck – Out for Duck that leads to the end of team innings

A “Laughing Duck” in cricket refers to a unique and somewhat unfortunate situation for a batsman. This occurs when a batsman is dismissed for no runs, and their dismissal leads to the end of the team’s innings. This term captures the irony of the situation, where the innings concludes with the batsman’s wicket without contributing any runs to the scoreboard.

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At Gamesys11, our team includes dedicated blog writers, who bring a wealth of cricket knowledge and experience to our content. From early cricket careers at divisional and district levels to deep dives into statistics and player insights, our writers are passionate about the sport. They specialize in crafting engaging blogs that explore team lineups, player statistics, and strategic predictions for upcoming contests, enhancing the experience for every cricket fan.