Ever Wondered Why Getting Out For ‘Zero’ Is Called A ‘Duck’ In Cricket

When a batsman gets out without scoring any runs, he is referred to have gotten out for a duck. The term ‘duck’ has forever made us wonder about the reason and its relevance to the cricket world. Although, for years, we have watched the game of cricket with such enthusiasm, but very few people know about the history of the word ‘duck’. So let us find out more about it.

The origin of the term ‘duck’ dates back to the year 1866. On July 17th, the Prince of Wales got out without scoring any runs and one of the contemporary newspapers stated that he returned to the pavilion on a duck’s egg. The reference was made because a duck’s egg is similar to the shape of number 0. And as his dismissal made headlines, so did the term ‘duck’ and it got popular ever since.

Ducks are also of varied forms. As there are many reasons and circumstances under which a batsmen may get dismissed, hence, there are different types of duck names given to each one.

Here are some interesting facts related to the term ‘duck’ in the field of cricket:

1. Golden Duck

This term is used when a player is dismissed on the first ball he faces. As humiliating as it can be for the batsman, it is highly demotivating for the entire team as a batsman returns to the pavilion without even making a single run.

2. Silver and Bronze Duck

Terms Silver and Bronze ducks are used when a player is dismissed on the second and third ball, respectively.

3. Diamond Duck

Diamond is referred to as the situation where the player is dismissed on the first ball of the team’s innings or without even facing the ball, for example, being run out from the non striker’s end.

4. Platinum/ Royal Duck

The biggest of all, Platinum/ Royal duck is used when a batsman gets dismissed on the first ball of the match/ innings. Given the situation, this title can only go to an opener.

Well, the information only gets better. Here are some more interesting facts related to the term ‘duck’ in the field of cricket:

The term ‘Bombay Duck’

The name ‘Bombay Duck’ was given to Indian all rounder Ajit Agarkar after he was out for zero five consecutive times while playing in a test match against Australia.

First duck in cricket history

The first duck dates back to the year 1877 during a match between England and Australia in Melbourne. It was the very first test match in the history of cricket. And the title went to Ned Gregory as he was caught by Andrew Greenwood.

Duck records

The record holder for the most number of ducks in test cricket is Courtney Walsh and it amounts to 43 ducks. And whopping 156 ducks is the score of Reg Perks from Worcestershire, which is a first class record.

Unlucky duck for Bradman

Don Bradman got just four runs short of securing an average of 100 due to a duck in his last test match. Since he got out for a duck, his test average came to 99.94.

When whole team was out on duck

There has been a match in which the runs scored in an innings were zero. Yes, you read that right. In 1913, during a match between Glastonbury and Huish and Langport, all of the latter’s batsmen got dismissed for ducks while chasing Glanstonbury’s modest total of 80 runs.

Although it is exciting to see a batsman from the opposing team to get dismissed for a duck and equally saddening to see a batsman from our team to score the same, we have hardly heard about the origin and usage of the term ‘duck. Therefore, as informative as it can get, it is also quite interesting to know about the historic side to this term.